Sun Protection

Making sure that you are adequately protected when you are out in the sun is now more pertinent than ever. If you have beautiful pale skin, you may want it to stay that way, and the only way to do this is to wear appropriate suntan cream. Everyone knows the dangers of overexposure to the sun s rays, so making sure you have the right suntan cream, with a good level of sun protection factor (spf) is really important. There has been a big change in suntan creams over the last few years and with such a huge range available it can be difficult knowing what brand to buy. The most important things to look at are the protection the cream gives against UVA and UVB radiation and the spf level the suntan cream provides. The higher the factor you choose the greater protection from the sun you will have. The majority of suntan creams last for about 2 or 3 years, so making sure that your bottle is no older than this is vital. Remember, the sun s intensity will vary throughout the day so choose a cream that will provide the protection your skin needs. ... View more - View less

View the Sun Protection Buyers Guide

564 Results from 11 retailers

Sort by

- Sun Spa – Tan In A Can Original 150 ml. /Skin Care
  Visit Store
- £9
- £9
  inc P&P - £10
  
  Availability: In stock • Delivered: 6 - 9 days.
- Sun Florida Sun Medium Protection Lotion Spray SPF15 200ml
  Visit Store
- £4
- Spf 15 Medium protection against UVA/UVB rays. Easy spray application and vitamin enriched. Directions: Spread...
- £4
  inc P&P - £6.65
  
  Availability: In stock • Delivered: 2-3 Working Days
- Famous Dave's Moisture Tan & Body Buffer Combo - Fake Tan - Sunless Tanning
  Visit Store
- £34.99
- The perfect combo for the perfect tan! Famous Dave?s Moisture Tan is a fragrance-free fast-drying creamy...
- £34.99
  inc P&P - £36.98
  
  Availability: In stock • Delivered: Dispatched Same Day if Ordered Before 2pm (Mon-Fri) • Free Delivery When You Spend £35+
- Ultrasun Sports Medium SPF 20 Clear Gel Formula 200ml
  Visit Store
- £22
- Easy to apply. Water resistant. Ultrasun Sports Medium SPF 20 Clear Gel Formula delivers very high all day...
  
  Compare Ultrasun Ultrasun SPF 20 Sports Clear Gel Formula Once A Day 500ml prices
- £22
  P&P: Free
  
  Availability: In stock • Delivered: Free Delivery Worldwide on Everything. Same Day Despatch.
- Performance Brands Get Buffed – Pre-Tan Body Scrub (Step 1) - 8 fl.oz
  Visit Store
- £9.99
- Performance Brands Get Buffed – Pre-Tan Body Scrub (Step 1) 8 fl.oz is specially formulated to optimize the...
- £9.99
  inc P&P - £11.98
  
  Availability: In stock
- Bio Synergy Body Perfect 60 x 500mg Caps
  Visit Store
- £16.95
- Bio Synergy Body Perfect contains a comprehensvie formula of herbal extracts known for their role in aiding...
- £16.95
  P&P: Free
  
  Availability: In stock
- Xen-Tan Mousse Intense 118ml
  Visit Store
- £16.20 Terence Paul Online
- Xen-Tan Mousse Intense 118ml
  
  Compare Xen-tan Xen-Tan Dark Lotion prices
- £16.20
  P&P: Free
  
  Availability: In stock
  
  Terence Paul Online
- Jason Sunbrellas Natural Facial Sunblock SPF 20 - 128g
  Visit Store
- £10.79 bodykind
- Jason Sunbrellas Natural Facial Sunblock SPF 20. Protect skin daily with this light, moisturising formula was...
- £10.79
  P&P: Free
  
  Availability: In stock
  
  bodykind
- QUIKSILVER by Quiksilver for MEN AFTER SUN COOL DOWN BALM 120 ML
  Visit Store
- £6.73 FragranceNet.com
- AFTER SUN COOL DOWN BALM 120 ML for MEN bitter orange, grapefruit, sea spray accord, thyme, musk, eucalyptus
- £6.73
  inc P&P - £21.73
  
  Availability: In stock
  
  FragranceNet.com
- Hawaiian Tropic Protective Dry Spray Oil (SPF8) 200ml
  Visit Store
- £9.99 -23% £7.75
- Hawaiian Tropic Protective Dry Spray Oil. Superior oil formulations offering higher sun protection factors...
  
  Compare Hawaiian Tropic 200ml Protective Dry Spray Oil SPF 8 SPF8 prices
- £9.99 -23% £7.75
  inc P&P - £9.74
  
  Availability: In stock • Delivered: 5 to 7 days
- Shiseido Sun Protection Foundation SPF30 30ml
  Visit Store
- £29
- Shiseido Sun Protection Foundation SPF30 30ml. Resists perspiration, water, and oil to maintain a soft matte...
- £29
  inc P&P - £32
  
  Availability: Check Site • Delivered: 3-5 working days
- Sun Florida Sun 200ml SPF8 Low Protection Lotion
  Visit Store
- £3.95
- Spf 15 Medium protection against UVA/UVB rays. Easy spray aplplication and vitamin enriched. Directions:...
- £3.95
  inc P&P - £6.60
  
  Availability: In stock • Delivered: 2-3 Working Days
- Famous Dave's Spray Tan 12 per cent Medium to Dark 1 Litre Salon Size Solution - Sunless Tanning Liquid - Fake it Don't Bake
  Visit Store
- £52
- 1 Litre Professional Spray Tanning Solution. Suitable for use in all spray tanning machines. Famous Dave's...
- £52
  P&P: Free
  
  Availability: In stock • Delivered: Dispatched Same Day if Ordered Before 2pm (Mon-Fri) • Free Delivery When You Spend £35+
- Elisabeth Arden Pure Finish Mineral Powder Foundation No 7 SPF 20
  Visit Store
- £9.86
- Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Mineral Powder Foundation Make Up SPF20 Pure minerals. Pure comfort. Pure...
- £9.86
  inc P&P - £12.51
  
  Availability: In stock • Delivered: 2-3 Working Days
- Estee Lauder TENDER LIP BALM SPF 15, TRAVEL EXCLUSIVE SET.
  Visit Store
- £18.95
- Don't be put off by the bold exterior of this gorgeous new balm, it's got a very mellow centre. When...
- £18.95
  inc P&P - £21.60
  
  Availability: In stock • Delivered: 2-3 Working Days
- Sun Florida Sun SPF15 Medium Protection Lotion 200ml
  Visit Store
- £4.95
- Formulated for easy application. With vitamins to help prevent premature skin ageing and sunscreens for...
- £4.95
  inc P&P - £7.60
  
  Availability: In stock • Delivered: 2-3 Working Days
- Sun Florida Sun 200ml SPF15 Medium Protection Dry Oil Spray
  Visit Store
- £4.95
- For all over body and scalp protection. Its non greasy, quick drying. This product is water resistant. Apply...
- £4.95
  inc P&P - £7.60
  
  Availability: In stock • Delivered: 2-3 Working Days
- Elisabeth Arden Ceramide Ultra Lift and Firm Makeup SPF15 No 09 Warm Honey 30ml
  Visit Store
- £11.93
- Lightweight luxurious cream makeup that visibly plumps fine lines smoothes imperfections and evens out skin...
- £11.93
  inc P&P - £14.58
  
  Availability: In stock • Delivered: 2-3 Working Days
- Clinique Moisture Specialists by Clinique Superdefense SPF25 Age Defense Moisturizer (Dry to Combination Skin Type)
  Visit Store
- £33.98
- £33.98
  inc P&P - £36.63
  
  Availability: In stock • Delivered: 2-3 Working Days
- Lancaster Oil Free Milky Spray SPF 10 - 150ml.
  Visit Store
- £21.05
- This lightweight oil free body spray prevents premature skin ageing prolongs and enhances tanning provides...
- £21.05
  inc P&P - £23.70
  
  Availability: In stock • Delivered: 2-3 Working Days
- Sun Lancaster Sun Care Ultra Soothing Protection (Delicate Skin) SPF 50 - 125ml
  Visit Store
- £21.99
- A luxurious sun care for delicate, sensitive skin Incredibly soothes & calms heated skin Offers extremely...
- £21.99
  inc P&P - £24.64
  
  Availability: In stock • Delivered: 2-3 Working Days
- Lancaster Self Tanning Morning & Evening Lotion 150ml
  Visit Store
- £8.99
- The legendary golden Lancaster tan is always yours with these no-fuss, fast dry streakless self tans that...
- £8.99
  inc P&P - £11.64
  
  Availability: In stock • Delivered: 2-3 Working Days
- Elisabeth Arden Ceramide Ultra Lift and Firm Makeup SPF15 No 08 Buff 30ml
  Visit Store
- £9.55
- Lightweight luxurious cream makeup that visibly plumps fine lines smoothes imperfections and evens out skin...
- £9.55
  inc P&P - £12.20
  
  Availability: In stock • Delivered: 2-3 Working Days
- Clinique Anti-Aging by Clinique Repairwear Lift SPF 15 Firming Day Cream (Combination ...
  Visit Store
- £44.71
- Hydrating formula. Helps to block and mend the look of lines and wrinkles. With added SPF15. Perfect for Very...
- £44.71
  inc P&P - £47.36
  
  Availability: In stock • Delivered: 2-3 Working Days

Sun Screens

Why Sun Protection is important

A lot of people know it´s not good to stay in the sun for too long, and that the sun should be avoided when she´s at her brightest (between 12:00 and 15:00). Yet many people don´t realize that sunburn is not caused by the perceptible warmth of the sun, but by UVB, and to a lesser extent UVA. UV is short for ultra-violet, a type of electromagnetic radiation that is not visible to the human eye. There are three types of ultra-violet radiation: UVA, UVB and UVC, each type of UV-radiation has a different wavelength, UVB is most harmful to the skin, but UVA can be dangerous too. UV-radiation does not depend on temperature, so you can also suffer sunburn on your winter sports holiday. Sunburn is caused when somebody is exposed to too much UV-radiation, the skin turns red and becomes painful, this usually happens a couple of hours after sunbathing. When somebody suffers from extreme sunburn, blistering can occur. People with a pale, white skin will get sunburned more easily than people with a dark skin, that´s because dark skin contains more melanin which makes the skin thicker. Even though a dark skin won´t turn red, it should still be protected against UV-radiation. UV-radiation is damaging because it can penetrate skin cells and can change the cells´ DNA-structure. To a certain extent this change can be reversed, if this is not possible, the skin cells will be rejected, we call this peeling. Sometimes the change in the DNA of the skin cells is not noticed by the body, when these skin cell starts to divide uncontrollably we speak of skin cancer. UV-radiation is also bad for the elastin in the skin; elastin is the protein in the connective tissue that gives the skin elasticity. The UV-radiation destroys the elastin, although new elastin can be produced, this process slows down with age, that´s why people who sunbathe a lot without sunscreen, tend to have older looking skin. Enough reasons to use sun protection.

Sun Protection Factor

A very effective way to protect oneself from the sun, is wearing protective clothing, but this is quite a drastic measure. Fortunately, there´s a wide range of products that can protect the bare skin against the sun. Sunscreen products have a so-called `Sun Protection Factor´, often abbreviated to SPF. A Sun Protection Factor gives the skin extra protection against UV-radiation. For example, a sun lotion with a Sun Protection Factor of 15, makes it possible to sit in the sun 15 times longer, than when you´re not wearing an SPF. Please note, that sunburn can occur quite quickly, so someone with skin type 2 (a very fair skin) can burn after 20 minutes, with an SPF of 15 this will happen after 5 hours. When you buy sun protection, you first need to determine your skin type, after that you choose the right Sun Protection Factor.

Skin Types

A very fair skin type that burns easily and hardly tans. People with red hair often have this skin type.

A fair skin type that burns rather easily and takes some time to tan.

A beige skin type that doesn´t burn easily and tans gradually.

A brown skin type that hardly burns and tans easily.

A dark brown skin type that hardly ever burns and tans very well.

The lighter your skin, the higher the Sun Tan Factor you need.:

SPF 6 to 10 have a low Sun Protection Factor

SPF 15 to 25 have a medium Sun Protection Factor

SPF 30 to 50 have a high Sun Protection Factor

SPF 50+ is a very high Sun Protection Factor

The Sun Protection Factor is created using filters; there are mineral filters and chemical filters. Mineral filters block and reflect UV-radiation, examples of mineral filters are: titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. With mineral filters it´s hard to get a tan, so chemical filters are used more often. Chemical filters are absorbed by the skin, not everybody like that, partly because the long term effects of these substances are not known yet. People with a sensitive skin can also react badly to chemical filters, you might want to keep this in mind when you are buying your sun protection product.

Sun protection products

Cream

Sun protection cream is a thick and rich ointment, because of its texture it can be very beneficial for people with a dry skin. The downside to sun protection cream is, that it can cause a stripy tan because it´s harder to apply it evenly.

Milk

Sun protection milk is more liquid than cream, so it´s easier to rub in and will apply more evenly. Sun protection milk is suitable for people with a normal skin.

Spray

Sun protection spray is even more liquid and needs to be applied to the body with a nozzle. Of all sun protection products a spray offers the most even application, it´s also very useful for hairy bodies. Important: never spray this type of sunscreen directly in the face, spray it in the hands, and then apply it to the face.

Gel

Sun protection gel is not greasy or sticky, it is also easily absorbed by the skin. There are also special gels that can´t freeze, like the Care Plus Skin Saver Gel, which is ideal for winter sports.

Oil

Tanning oil is an oil that actually enhances the tanning process, but even these products can have a Sun Protection Factor.

Aftersun

After tanning, it´s best to moisturize the skin, an aftersun is particularly suitable for that. An aftersun can also be very refreshing after a day in the sun.

Good to know

A product with a Sun Protection Factor only protects against UVB-radiation. It won´t harm you, to protect yourself against UVA-radiation too; this protection in not automatically included in sun protection products. A product that also offers protection against UVA-radiation will indicate this clearly on the bottle. Important: the UVA-factor should be at least a third of the SPF.

The closer you are to the equator, the brighter the UV-radiation! So in the Caribbean, you´ll need a higher SPF than in Great Britain. Also in the mountains the UV-radiation is stronger. Is there snow? If so it can reflect the UV-radiation. Use sun protection!

Remember to re-apply your sun protection product regularly. Especially after swimming, or exercising, this even applies to waterproof sun protection products.

Do you want to get a tan? Then choose a product with a low Sun Protection Factor. Products with a high Sun Protection Factor tend to block the sun completely (hence the name sun block), the skin won´t be able to get used to the sun and get a tan.

The skin of children is very sensitive to UV-radiation and therefore needs to be protected with a high SPF.

It will take a while (about thirty minutes), before a sun protection product becomes effective, be sure to apply it on time.

Sun protection products have a limited shelf life, so after a while it will lose its usability. It´s best to buy a new product every year.

Sunlight is also important. UV-radiation helps the human body to produce vitamin D3, make sure you get a couple of minutes of sun several times a day.

Refine your search

Category

Type

Brand

Budget

Sale

Store

See also: