SPF is your #1 skincare tool to combat premature ageing and, more seriously, to reduce your risk of skin cancer. Whether I’m going for a lunchtime stroll, driving to work, or writing this blog post while sat on my balcony at 5pm, my sun cream is liberally applied, regularly re-applied, and never far from reach. In today’s post we’re going to take a quick look at which sunscreen may be best for your budget and skin type.

Just a quick reminder- no matter which sun cream you opt for, you need broad spectrum sun protection, or in other words, protection from both UVA and UVB rays. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and indicates how long a product protects from UVB rays. For example, SPF 50 in theory will prevent you from burning for around 50 times longer than you would burn with no sunscreen. The label “broad spectrum protection” or the PA rating, as seen on many sunscreens, indicates how well the sunscreen protects from UVA rays. Both types of rays are damaging and it’s important to choose a sunscreen that protects from both. It’s also vital to apply enough sunscreen. The NHS advises you apply two teaspoons to cover your face, neck, and arms.

So how to choose which sun cream? Sunscreen preferences are extremely personal, so we thought we’d share our Melon & Starfish top picks.

For Sensitive Skin

Sunscreens come with chemical filters, mineral filters, or a combination of both. While chemical sunscreens are usually more cosmetically elegant, mineral sunscreens are often the preference of those with sensitive skin, as they are generally less likely to be irritating. The team at Melon & Starfish enjoy the TOUN28 Organic HEV UV protector SPF50+ PA++++ for both its high protection and soothing formula. Be aware that most mineral sunscreens do leave a slight white cast.

The Budget Pick

Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50 PA+++ provides an easy-to-wear, broad protection sunscreen at just £12.50 a tube. With its delightfully fresh scent, this creamy sunscreen sinks into skin leaving no white cast, and I always have a tube on back up! It’s great for normal skin as it doesn’t dry out nor necessarily add excessive moisture to your routine. Good sun protection doesn’t need to be pricey.

For Dry Skin

If you like a little more moisture from your daily sun cream, the D’Alba Piedmont Waterfull Essence Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ may be a good choice. With its creamy consistency, this sunscreen leaves skin with good sun protection, a natural glow and has no drying effect. It takes a few minutes to absorb and then you’re good to go!

D'ALBA PIEDMONT Waterfull Essence Sun Cream 50ml

For Combination-Oily Skin

The Melon & Starfish team love the NEW Neogen Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen SPF50. A lighter version of their best-selling sun cream, this gel version was created to be ultra-lightweight, fast-absorbing, and much better suited to combination-oily skin. It should also help with sebum control-bonus!