What is the holy grail of sun cream?

[LancreWowhawk]

I'm pretty sure it doesn't exist, but how many of these boxes is it possible to tick:

SPF50
5 star UVA protection
Super quick and easy to apply
Non-greasy/sticky
Good water resistance
Non-allergenic
Not super expensive - supermarket prices not high end pharmacy
Easy to pack for holidays

Last year, I used Nivea spray, and it was okay - it's a great price, but I don't find it very easy to apply and I don't rate the water resistance especially highly.

I've had dry oil-type sprays pre-kids and liked them, but it was impossible to reapply during the day anywhere windy. I like the idea of an aerosol for ease but I'm worried about the same thing.

Apply-Once ones sound great, but can I trust them?

What do you use? Would you recommend it?

Another boots soltan lover (factor (50) i’m a very pale redhead and have been burnt more times than i can remember but have been using this for a few years now and not burnt so it’s the only one i use. I just use the standard bottle for all of us they do an 8hr one too but i always have to reapply after a few hours if we are out in the sun all day - last year we were at a theme park when it was 35 degrees & none of us burnt

Superdrug's own sun cream is amazing. Roll on.

We use P20. Some might find it a little greasy, but I have dry skin and it's perfect for me. My DH doesn't like putting on creams and much prefers it too.

True once a day product and good water resistance too but I'd suggest reapplying after a swim anyway just to be on the safe side.

It was recommended to me by someone that scuba dives.

I only use ambre solaire. Allergic to loads of others. Rubs in well, smells nice, works...

Thanks, everyone - yes, I am looking for a body sunscreen for the whole family, rather than a facial one, or anything just for me. I want us to all use the same, and none of us have problematic skin or anything, so that isn't a concern.

Altruist sounds really interesting - can anyone who uses it answer some questions for me?
Is it genuinely non-greasy?
What do you use? The factor 30 cream, the factor 50 spray, something else entirely?

I can see that the 1l factor 30 bottle is great value, just not sure I want to be lugging it on the plane on holiday and down the the pool every day!

I think Soltan spray was the highest rated by Which? this year?

Freezyderm Sea Side Mist - spf 50 etc - it’s about £22 or so in the U.K. (though it’s made in Greece and I paid half that in Athens!)

P20 is the only cream that doesn't send my eyes nuts. I am ginger and have been using p20 over 20 years since I was a teenager. It is amazing. I never burn. People reapply all day, I never do unless I've had rub down/shower post swim. My eyes are unbearable with anything else I've tried, even when I've innocently bought face cream.

Zombie thread

Boots Soltan Brightening cream
moisturising , hydrating, easily absorbed spf 50

Heliocare for me. Or at least for under £50. It's light and doesn't show one bit.

Ultrasun every time. I especially like the Sport.

Hi OP. Ticking all those boxes in one product is pretty much difficult because some of those features work against each other. Ingredient-wise, for SPF50 with 5-star UVA, look for formulas with a combination of filters like avobenzone, tinosorb, or uvinul. Non-greasy usually means silicone-heavy formulas with dimethicone or cyclopentasiloxane, or gel textures with alcohol (which can be drying but feel lightweight). Sprays are convenient but you're right to worry about wind and uneven application, you need to spray generously and rub it in to get the claimed SPF, otherwise you're getting patchy coverage. Aerosols are even trickier because people tend to under-apply with them. For water resistance, look for "very water resistant" labeling which means it holds up for 80 minutes in water rather than just 40, but any sunscreen needs reapplication after swimming or heavy sweating regardless of claims. Hope this helps!

Thank you @1emma19 !

I'm still on the lookout for something that works really well for us, so this is very helpful!