Not too long ago, supermarket sunscreen was something you bought as an absolute last resort. These days, however, own-brand SPFs are increasingly sophisticated, promising invisible finishes, anti-ageing ingredients and even skincare benefits at a fraction of the price of premium brands.
As someone who tests beauty products for a living, I’m generally less interested in the big marketing claims than I am in whether a sunscreen actually feels good enough to wear every day. And since it is important to be motivated to wear it daily, the best sunscreen isn’t necessarily the most expensive one; for me it’s the one you’ll apply generously and apply (and reapply) regularly.
To test my theory, I tried five popular options from Lidl, Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Boots. I looked at how they felt on the skin, how quickly they absorbed, whether they left a white cast, how they smelled, how comfortable they were to wear during sport and in hot weather and, crucially, whether they made me want to keep using them. Here’s how I found them:
Body
Asda Protect by High SPF50 Cooling Clear Sun Mist
£4.98 for 200ml
‘I’ve marked the Asda Protect by High Cooling Clear Sun Mist down a little for the fragrance, which is stronger than several of the others tested’This is perhaps the most holiday-like product of my test. The cooling effect is immediately noticeable and genuinely refreshing on warm skin – an absolute winner in these British heatwaves.
The formula sprays clear and easily, making it particularly useful for topping up protection during the day, but it does come out quite forcefully, so I’d recommend over-applying to ensure even and complete coverage. It also absorbs instantly without leaving skin feeling tacky.
I’ve marked it down a little for the fragrance, which is stronger than several of the others tested. Some (like me) will enjoy the fresh, beachy scent, but sensitive skin or the fragrance-averse might find it a bit overwhelming.
I also found myself reapplying this more frequently simply because the ultra-light texture made it difficult to gauge how much remained on the skin, but I’m not mad about that because it’s a pleasure to cool-spray.
Rating: 4/5
Refreshing, easy to use and excellent for hot weather, although fairly heavily fragranced.
Sainsbury’s Sun Protect Sensitive Sun Spray SPF50+
£4.75 for 200ml
If you have sensitive skin, this is arguably the safest bet of the bunch.
The fragrance-free formula immediately feels gentler and more user-friendly than some of the competitors. While it doesn’t offer the luxurious finish of premium sunscreens, it does exactly what we all need it to do: provide high, broad protection without irritation.
This isn’t one of those ultra-fine invisible sprays that vanishes on contact; it’s a light, milky lotion through a spray pump. It comes out white, so you can actually see where you’ve applied it and it rubs in to leave a moisturised, slightly dewy finish.
I actually think this is one of its strengths, because the formula gives you that visual cue, making it easier to achieve even coverage, particularly useful on children or anyone who tends to rush SPF application.
Because it’s marketed towards sensitive skin, it’s also less likely to provoke irritation or spots, and it has panthenol and vitamin E to help support the skin barrier, but again, it’s not formulated as a non-pore blocking option specifically. I did not have any adverse outbreaks.
Rating: 4/5
Not exciting, but dependable, the sensible family choice and a strong option for sensitive or reactive skin.
Lidl Cien Sun Invisible Sun Spray SPF50
£3.99 for 200ml
‘Lidl Cien Sun Invisible Sun Spray doesn’t leave you feeling sticky or coated in a film, and genuinely earns the ‘invisible’ claim’The cheapest sunscreen in the test was also one of the biggest surprises. Lidl’s transparent spray comes out as a fine, continuous mist (my favourite kind for ease of application) and dries down remarkably quickly, leaving a very welcome sporty sheen on the skin.
Unlike many budget sprays I’ve tried before, it doesn’t leave you feeling sticky or coated in a film. It also genuinely earns the “invisible” claim, disappearing instantly without any white cast whatsoever.
The trade-off is that, as with most clear sprays, it’s slightly harder to judge exactly how much you’ve applied. You need to be generous and methodical to ensure proper coverage (which is easy to do when it’s £3.99 for 200ml!)
The scent is minimal, just dries down to a subtle clean finish, and it remained comfortable throughout a hot morning playing padel outdoors (and I didn’t burn despite worrying I’d be sweating it off).
Rating: 4.5/5 [WINNER]
Incredible value, surprisingly elegant and ideal for reluctant or hurried sunscreen wearers.
Face
Tesco Soleil Anti-Ageing Q10 Face Sun Cream SPF30
£3.50 for 50ml
‘I wouldn’t buy Tesco Soleil Anti-Ageing Q10 Face Sun Cream specifically for the skincare benefits, but it does feel much more considered than a basic beach sunscreen’Face sunscreens are where supermarket own-brands often fall down, largely because facial SPF needs to sit comfortably under makeup and – crucially for me – not trigger breakouts.
Tesco’s offering contains co-enzyme Q10, an antioxidant ingredient commonly found in anti-ageing skincare. And whilst I wouldn’t buy it specifically for the skincare benefits, it does feel much more considered than a basic beach sunscreen.
The texture is rich and creamy and initially feels reassuringly moisturising. However, on combination skin it might feel slightly heavy, particularly around the T-zone. By mid-afternoon I noticed a noticeable sheen developing, which some people may appreciate as a glow but others may find greasy, depending on skin type.
I didn’t experience any irritation or eye stinging, nor did I suffer any breakouts, so although not marketed as non-comedogenic, it didn’t feel excessively pore-clogging. Saying that, its richer, moisturising texture will suit normal or drier complexions better than oily or blemish-prone skin for everyday use.
Rating: 3.5/5
A solid budget facial SPF, although oilier skin types may prefer something lighter.
Boots SPF+ Hyaluronic Acid Moisturising Lotion SPF50
£5 for 50ml
I’m voting this the product most likely to convert someone into daily sunscreen use.
Boots has wisely approached SPF as skincare rather than sun protection alone, and they have done for years, so I already feel reassured that this is a great option. The addition of hyaluronic acid helps give the lotion a lightweight, hydrating feel that sits really well under makeup, and basically gives my skin a drink.
The texture is noticeably more refined than lots of budget facial SPFs. It absorbs quickly, leaves no white cast and doesn’t feel at all greasy or suffocating, even after several hours of wear.
Importantly, it also didn’t trigger any noticeable congestion or spots during testing. While “non-comedogenic” claims can be difficult to verify universally, this felt among the most skin-friendly options for everyday facial use. Its lightweight, fragrance-free texture will suit many skin types, including combination skin, but anyone who is particularly acne-prone might still want to look for a sunscreen specifically labelled non-comedogenic
The only drawback is value for money. At 50ml, you’ll get through it much faster than the larger body products, but it’s still a brilliant price compared to most facial SPFs.
Rating: 5/5 [WINNER]
The standout face sunscreen of the test and one I’d happily continue using.
The verdict
The biggest surprise of all was that the cheapest product in the test was also one of the best. Proof that when it comes to sunscreen, spending more doesn’t necessarily buy better protection, it simply buys a different user experience.
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