Big name sun creams fail safety test - but budget brands 'triumph'

Rigorous safety and quality testing was carried out on a number of sunscreens, from budget own-brands to expensive luxury, to see if they passed the British standard for UVA and UVB protection. Three were even branded a 'Don't Buy' by the reviewers at Which?

Sunseekers may be pleased to know it’s not necessarily a case of ‘getting what you pay for’ when it comes to UV protection.

Aldi and Lidl’s factor 30 and 50 both passed tests and are the best value options available according to Which?, with all options in the ranges costing less than £3.50 per 200ml bottle. The consumer watchdog said Lidl “triumphed” in tests.

Garnier, Nivea and Boots Soltan also passed tests.

All the best buys also pass user tests for being easy to apply and absorb, how nice they smell and how greasy they are.

Don't buy

However, despite Asda’s range coming out on top in Which’s 2023 review, its Protect Moisturising Sun Lotion SPF30 failed Which’s 2024 testing earning it a ‘don’t buy’ rating.

Asda rejected Which?’s testing, which was carried out twice, with a spokesperson saying: “We recently had this sun lotion re-tested by a leading external provider using internationally recognised testing methods. The results confirmed a sun protection factor of 31.5; therefore, we do not recognise the test results Which? has published.

“The formulation has not changed since 2022, so we question the validity of the Which? test.”

The lotion is also cheaper this year, costing just £2.80 a bottle compared to £3 in 2023.

Also among the ‘don’t buy’ products was Bondi Sands’ SPF50+ face sunscreen lotion which costs £7.99 for just 75ml.

Which? said: “It didn’t come close to the claimed SPF and didn’t reach the minimum required UVA protection.”

But Bondi Sands said its own tests showed its facial lotion had an SPF of 61.5 and had UVA protection.

A statement said: “All of our products undergo rigorous testing processes to ensure they meet and exceed industry standards and requirements. Bondi Sands will work with Which to better understand testing results.”

Third to fail was the £8-a-bottle Calypso Press & Protect Sun lotion SPF30, with Which? saying it “barely mustered two-thirds of its claimed SPF” in both the initial test and the retest.

Calypso said: “All products are carefully and independently tested and have passed EU standards and regulations.”

In 2023, Which? assessed a wider range of sunscreens, so we have included 2023’s list as well as 2024’s, so you can compare or look at a wider range of suncreams. Bear in mind that 2023 products not in the 2024 list have not been retested this year.

Natalie Hitchins, head of home products at Which? said it was “incredibly concerning” some big brands failed its tests but praised affordable options.

She said: “Our results prove there's no need to splash out to keep you and your loved ones safe in the sun this summer and that many of the supermarket own-brand products can do a good job.”

Which suncreams passed the test?

SPF30 Passes: 2024

SPF50+ kids passes: 2024

SPF50/+ face passes: 2024

Fails: 2024

2023 test

SPF30 Passes: 2023

SPF50+ passes: 2023

Fails: 2023

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