Applying sunscreen to a child who doesn’t want to stand still ranks somewhere between cutting their fingernails and brushing a knot out of wet hair. There’s the wriggling. The sand-covered limbs. The “it’s in my eyes!” meltdown. And that’s before you’ve even considered whether the SPF you’re using offers adequate UVA protection or if it’ll trigger a flare-up of sensitive skin.
“Too much UV radiation from the sun and sunbeds is the main cause of skin cancer,” warns Sophie Brooks, health information manager at Cancer Research UK. “But avoiding the sun completely isn’t possible, and being outdoors in the sun has benefits too. So, it’s important to start practising sun safety from a young age to form good habits.”
The best kids’ sunscreen isn’t just about factor 50 – it’s about texture, tolerance and tenacity and advice differs slightly on what factor sunscreen you should be reaching for. “Children should be using broad-spectrum SPF 50 day-to-day in the UK, all year around but particularly between March and October,” says Dr Thuva Amuthan, a dermatologist and founder of Dr.Derme Skin Clinics. “At Cancer Research UK we recommend using a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30 (UVB protection) and a high star rating of 4 or 5 stars (UVA protection),” says Brooks. One thing is certain: anything below SPF Factor 30 isn’t going to be sufficient.
Arguably, the most important thing about sunscreen for children is that you’re applying it – and applying it correctly. “Most people apply far too little,” says Dr Amthuan. “As a guide, a child typically needs around one ounce (a shot-glass amount) for full body coverage, adjusted for size.” The style of sunscreen application matters here too, according to Brooks: “Aerosol sunscreens can be patchy and often do not provide a thick-enough layer for protection, so choose a lotion, pump spray or roll-on sunscreen instead.”
It’s worth remembering that sunscreen should only be part of your arsenal when it comes to sun protection. “No sunscreen can give full protection, so it shouldn’t be used to extend your time in the sun, and it doesn’t make tanning safe,” adds Brooks. “Sunscreen should always be used in combination with spending time in shade (especially between 11am and 3pm in the UK) and covering up with clothes, a wide-brimmed hat and UV protection sunglasses.”
Keep reading for my round-up of the best sunscreens for kids.
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The best kids’ sunscreens for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Altruist family sunspray SPF 50: £11.50, Amazon.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Boots soltan kids protect & moisturise suncare lotion 50+: £6.50, Boots.com
- Best for sensitive skin – Childs Farm SPF 50+ sun cream 100ml fragrance free sunscreen for kids & sensitive skin: £12, Boots.com
- Best for teens – Spots & Stripes sun squad SPF30: £25, Amazon.co.uk
- Best for water sports – Ultrasun family sun protection wet skin spray: £25.60, Amazon.co.uk
How I tested
I’ve tested sunscreens for kids before professionally, and I also have three kids myself so I am testing sunscreens “off the clock” a lot of the time, too. I rounded up every kids sunscreen I could find on the market, and started smearing arms, legs and faces with different formulas. During the testing period I looked at UVA and UVB protection, ease of application, ingredients, transfer, texture and value for money.
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Altruist family sunspray, SPF 50
Best: sunscreen for kids overall
Size: 250ml
UVB: SPF 50
UVA: Yes (5 stars)
Type: Hybrid
Fragranced: No
Why we love it
- Easy to apply
- Great for all skin types
- Relatively affordable
- Comprehensive coverage
Take note
- The bottle is quite large, so might not fit in wash bags so easily
I was thoroughly impressed with Altruist’s family sunspray on all counts. It offers both chemical UV filters and physical UV filters that provide comprehensive, broad-spectrum protection. The formula used includes ingredients that don’t break down in sunlight – something known as “photostability”. This just gives more peace of mind in high UV and when there’s sweat or swimming involved.
This sunscreen is also fragrance- and alcohol-free, which is great for sensitive, eczema-prone skin. As well as this, there are lots of actives in the formula, including hydrating humectants such as glycerin and vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that helps reduce free-radical damage from UV exposure. During testing, this sunscreen performed well – it’s thin (despite being alcohol-free) and rubs in well, leaving a very slight gloss. There is a light almond scent to it, but this will probably be from the vitamin E, as there’s no added scent and definitely no almonds in it.
Buy now £11.5, Amazon.co.uk
Boots soltan kids protect & moisturise suncare lotion 50+
Best: budget sunscreen for kids
Size: 200ml
UVB: SPF 50+
UVA: Yes (5 stars)
Type: Chemical
Fragranced: Yes
Why we love it
- Affordable
- Widely avaliable
- Easy to rub in
- Some nice actives
Take note
- May stain clothes
There’s something about Boots’s own-brand Soltan that just says “British summer”, isn’t there? A reliable, everyday favourite, Soltan Kids protect and moisturise lotion SPF 50+ delivers very high broad-spectrum protection that’s ideal for active children and family sun days. The gentle formula is quite thick out of the bottle, but then rubs in very easily. I noticed a bit of tackiness just after it’s applied, but this quickly faded, leaving just a faint gloss on the skin. Through long-term testing, I can say that this suncream will transfer – particularly onto light colours, leaving yellow marks on white school-uniform collars.
Actives wise, there are humectants (glycerin) to protect your skin barrier and antioxidants (grape seed oil and vitamin E) to offer protection from environmental damage.
Buy now £6.5, Boots.com
Childs Farm SPF 50+ sun cream 100ml fragrance free sunscreen for kids & sensitive skin
Best: kids' sunscreen for sensitive skin (chemical)
Size: 100ml
UVB: 50
UVA: Yes (5 stars)
Type: Chemical
Fragranced: No
Why we love it
- Good broad-spectrum coverage
- Alcohol free – good for eczema
- Mid price point
- Good for on the go/in the change bag
Take note
- Took a bit longer to rub in
If you’re shopping for a child with sensitive or eczema-prone skin, Childs Farm SPF50+ stands out for how thoughtfully it’s formulated. It uses a blend of modern chemical UV filters to deliver very high broad-spectrum protection (SPF50+) without that thick, chalky feel – making it easier to apply generously, which is half the battle with kids.
There’s some tackiness while it absorbs, but after a minute or so of rubbing, you’re left with a gloss on the skin. Other than the filters, there’s glycerin and skin-conditioning vitamin E (tocopheryl acetate) in the formula. This helps to keep skin hydrated and support its barrier – useful for young, delicate skin.
Buy now £12, Boots.com
Green People organic children lavender sun cream SPF50
Best: kids’ sunscreen for sensitive skin (mineral/hybrid)
Size: 100ml
UVB: SPF 50
UVA: Yes (no stars specified)
Type: Hybrid
Fragranced: Yes
Why we love it
- Lovely ingredients to care for skin
- High level of protection
- Lightweight to wear
- Smells delicious
Take note
- Very pricey
If you’re looking for a sunscreen that leans more “natural” without compromising on protection, Green People Organic Children lavender sun cream SPF50 bridges that gap. This is a hybrid formula, combining non-nano zinc oxide (a mineral filter that sits on the skin’s surface) with modern chemical UV filters to boost SPF and improve photostability. For the average user like you and me that means plenty of protection and not too much chalkiness or white cast. I did find it’s very thick to apply, but this melts in to leave no discernable gloss at all. As a result, children might find this more tolerable to wear. I loved the lavender scent of this sunscreen, which comes from lavender oil rather than parfum, so it shouldn’t be drying on sensitive skin.
This sunscreen stands out for its botanical base. It has aloe vera for soothing hydration, chamomile extract to calm irritation, edelweiss extract (an antioxidant) to help counteract UV-induced oxidative stress; sunflower, olive oil and cocoa butter to support the skin barrier and vitamin E for added antioxidant support. It might be pricey, but this sunscreen is working hard for its money.
Buy now £29, Amazon.co.uk
La Roche-Posay anthelios uvmune 400 dermo-pediatric hydrating lotion SPF50+
Best: kids’ sunscreen for high-performance protection
Size: 250ml
UVB: SPF 50+
UVA: Yes (no star rating)
Type: Chemical
Fragranced: No
Why we love it
- Very broad-spectrum protection
- Low-plastic bottle
- Good for sensitive and eczema-prone skin
Take note
- Stains white clothes - beware
- Bottle is a bit leaky
A top-tier choice for families who want serious sun defence without compromise, this La Roche-Posay kids’ sunscreen combines very high SPF50+ UVB protection with advanced broad-spectrum UVA coverage, thanks to its UVmune mexoryl 400 filter system. I’m a bit of a sunscreen obsessive, and this is the sunscreen I have used on my kids (and myself) for years. It’s never let me down.
The lightweight, hydrating lotion feels comfortable on delicate skin, and absorbs without greasiness. It’s the sunscreen I’ve found my children complain the least about wearing. When you put it on, there is a slight alcohol smell, but this fades quickly to a mild, vague scent I think of as “skin cream” smell. Skin-supporting ingredients such as glycerin, shea butter and thermal spring water help maintain moisture and soothe sensitive areas.
Buy now £25.9, Amazon.co.uk
Garnier ambre solaire sensitive roll-on SPF50
Best: kids’ sunscreen for school and nursery bags
Size: 50ml
UVB: SPF 50+
UVA: Yes
Type: Chemical
Fragranced: Yes
Why we love it
- Colour and roll on help with application
- Hypoallergenic
- Compact packaging
- Broad spectrum coverage
Take note
- Formula includes alcohol which can be drying
When the UV index is very high, my children’s school allows them to take in a bottle of their own sunscreen to apply at lunch and break times. This is the bottle I’ll be packing them off with. Garnier Ambre Solaire sensitive advanced kids’ coloured roll-on SPF50 pairs very high broad-spectrum protection with a fun, coloured application format that makes it easier to see where you’ve applied. It’s small enough to fit into pretty much any bag, and kids can safely apply it themselves.
The roll-on’s mix of chemical UV filters delivers reliable UVA and UVB defence in a smooth, lightweight finish – and the colour tint disappears as it’s blended in, helping ensure even coverage on tricky spots such as shoulders and backs of arms. It’s designed to be hypoallergenic and suitable for sensitive skin, and the inclusion of skin conditioners helps keep it comfortable on delicate bodies.
Buy now £11.99, Boots.com
Nivea sun kids protect & care coloured spray SPF50+
Best: sunscreen for active kids
Size: 200ml
UVB: SPF 50+
UVA: Yes (4 stars)
Type: Chemical
Fragranced: Yes
Why we love it
- Easy to see missed patches initially
- Easy to apply
- Claims to be biodegradable and ocean-friendly by not using certain UV filters
- Actives that lock in moisture and protect against oxidative stress
- Reasonably priced
Take note
- Bit lower protection (4*) on UVA
- Alcohol and fragrance may react on very sensitive skin
A smart pick for busy beach days, this SPF50+ spray pairs very high UVB protection with strong UVA defence in a format kids actually tolerate. The spray bottle splurges out pale blue lotion in a not entirely useful way. However, the formula is thin enough to be easy enough to apply. The colour does fade quickly, so this isn’t perhaps as useful for spotting missed patches as you might hope. However, my mini testers found the novelty of coloured suncream enough to motivate them to stand still long enough for me to apply it. If you too have very active kids, you might find this is enough to lure them out of the pool for a reapplication.
Nivea’s kids protect and care uses a blend of modern chemical UV filters for lightweight, reliable coverage, plus glycerin and panthenol to help keep skin comfortable during long, sunny days. This Nivea suncream does include alcohol and fragrance, which some skin types might not tolerate so well.
Buy now £8.7, Boots.com
Ultrasun family sun protection wet skin spray
Best: kids’ sunscreen for water sports
Size: 200ml
UVB: SPF 50
UVA: Yes (no star rating)
Type: Chemical
Fragranced: Yes
Why we love it
- Easy to apply and quick to absorb
- Great for very active kids
- Lightweight so will suit skin types that can't cope with thick formulas
- Some nice actives going on
Take note
- Pretty pricey
- Might not suit all skin types
- Not suitable for children under three
- It's a chemical formula, so although you can spray on wet skin it's not going to start working immediately
This ultra-convenient SPF50 spray is built for real-world summer use. Insanely lightweight, it can be applied to wet or dry skin, so reapplying after swimming or splashing about is far easier than with a cream. This is definitely the sun protection I’ll be packing for pool days for my water babies. The spray action is smooth and it releases a decent amount with each pump. It glides on effortlessly and doesn’t feel heavy on the skin. I found it absorbed very quickly.
It uses a modern chemical filter system that stays effective in sunlight and delivers broad UVA and UVB protection. A blend of antioxidants (such as vitamin C and grape seed extract) and hydrating agents helps support the skin while you’re out in the sun. It does contain alcohol and a light fragrance, which helps the texture dry quickly but may not suit the most sensitive or eczema-prone skin.
Buy now £25.6, Amazon.co.uk
Spots & Stripes sun squad SPF30
Best: sunscreen for teens
Size: 50ml
UVB: SPF 50
UVA: Yes (no star rating)
Type: Chemical
Fragranced: No
Why we love it
- Designed for teen skin
- Nice packaging that's also recyclable
- Reef safe
- Lots of nice actives
Take note
- Expensive
- Small tube won't last you long (probably best used on faces only)
- Slightly lower UVA protection
A standout everyday SPF with a skin-friendly ingredient focus designed especially for teens, Spots & Stripes sun squad SPF30 pairs very high broad-spectrum protection with botanicals that help soothe and care for delicate skin. Its formula centres on lightweight chemical UV filters for effective defense against both UVA and UVB rays, but it’s the aloe vera, antioxidant-rich green tea extract and jojoba that set it apart. These ingredients help calm irritation, balance hydration and support the skin barrier without heaviness.
The lotion comes out of the metal (read: recyclable) tube quite thickly. Think Savlon kind of texture. It smooths in quickly in a way that’s akin to a rich moisturiser. Initially there’s a bit of a white cast but this quickly fades. Although there’s no added fragrance, there is a natural and mild botanical scent left behind. While SPF30 is slightly lower than SPF50+ options, the skin-conditioning profile makes this a winner for daily, fuss-free protection.
Buy now £25, Amazon.co.uk
Ultra Violette clean screen
Best: sunscreen for acne-prone skin
Size: 50ml
UVB: SPF 30
UVA: Yes (no star rating)
Type: Hybrid
Fragranced: No
Why we love it
- Lightweight to wear
- Good for sensitive, reactive and acne-prone skins
- Strong protection
Take note
- Slightly lower SPF
- Expensive
- Only suitable to faces
Full disclosure: I really rate Aussie brand Ultra Violette’s future fluid facial SPF, so I was keen to see how the brand would perform in the kid/teen SPF arena. It is a tinted apricot lotion, but this sinks into the skin quickly, thanks to the lightweight formula. Built as a hybrid of mineral (titanium dioxide) and modern chemical UV filters, it delivers broad-spectrum protection – helping shield against both UVB (burning) and UVA (deep-penetrating) rays in a comfortable, gel-like finish.
Where this formula shines is its skin-friendly base: it’s fragrance- and alcohol-free, with hydrating humectants such as glycerin and saccharide isomerate to support the skin barrier and help prevent dryness. The result is a daily SPF that feels more like a moisturiser than a sun cream, making it especially good for sensitive, reactive or acne-prone faces, and teens who resist traditional sunscreens.
Buy now £32, Sephora.co.uk
Riemann P20 SPF50+ suncream for kids
Best: kids’ sunscreen for long-lasting protection
Size: 200ml
UVB: SPF 50+
UVA: Yes (4 stars)
Fragrance: No
Type: Chemical
Why we love it
- Good staying power
- High level of protection
- Offers a little extra peace of mind
Take note
- Quite heavy on skin
- Transfers onto fabrics
- Still needs reapplying every two hours
P20 kids SPF50+ is a hardworking sunscreen that delivers high broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection in a smooth, easy-spread lotion. It’s designed to stay on longer than typical sunscreens, with a blend of modern chemical UV filters and film-forming polymers that help it cling through outdoor play and water exposure.
While the brand emphasises up to 10 hours of protection in controlled tests, it’s still best practice – as with all the products on this roundup – to reapply every two hours, especially after swimming or towelling. I found the formula very thick initially, despite it having alcohol in it (watch out eczema-prone skin). I also found the smell almost clinical, which I didn’t love.
Buy now £20.03, Amazon.co.uk
MooGoo natural SPF40
Best: kids’ mineral sunscreen
Size: 126g
UVB: SPF 40
UVA: Yes (no star rating)
Fragrance: No
Type: Mineral
Why we love it
- Great for reactive skin
- Loads of beneficial ingredients
- Will work immediately
- Photostable
Take note
- Extremely heavy weight
- Hard to squeeze out of the bottle
- Lower SPF
MooGoo natural sunscreen SPF40 is a gentle, broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen that’s especially appealing for families seeking a more natural option. Instead of chemical UV filters it uses zinc oxide to physically block both UVA and UVB rays, making it a good choice for sensitive or reactive skin and those who prefer to avoid chemical filters.
Mark my words, this is a very thick formula; I struggled to squeeze it out of the tube. As such, it takes a while to sink into the skin and leaves a bit of a white cast on the skin. The formula includes skin-nourishing ingredients such as jojoba oil, coconut-derived emollients, beeswax and glycerin, which help condition and hydrate skin during sun exposure.
Buy now £16.5, Moogooskincare.co.uk
Your questions about kids’ sunscreen answered
What is the best kids’ sunscreen?
With sunscreens, the best sun protection for kids is the one that they’ll tolerate wearing. The best SPF is of course useless if your little ray of sunshine refuses to wear it. If you want a reliable all-rounder that balances price, protection and tolerability, Altruist is hard to beat. For tight budgets, Soltan delivers solid performance without fuss. Ultimately, sunscreen is just one layer of protection. Hats, shade and good habits matter just as much.
How the best kids’ sunscreens were tested
To find the safest and most child-friendly options, I carefully tested a range of sunscreens using key criteria that matter most to parents and kids alike, including:
What to look for in a kids’ sunscreen
Firstly, it’s important to note that sunscreen is not recommended for babies under six months. Instead the NHS advises keeping young babies out of direct sunlight entirely. There are a number of things to consider when looking for the best sunscreen for kids, including:
How often to apply kids’ sunscreen
If you plan to be out in the sun long enough to risk burning, the NHS advises sunscreen needs to be applied twice before leaving the house: 30 minutes before going out and just before going out. Sunscreen should be applied to all areas of skin not protected by clothing, such as the face, ears, feet and backs of hands.
It’s important to reapply sunscreen liberally and frequently, including straight after you have been in water (even if you’re using a water-resistant formula), and after towel drying, sweating or in any other instance when the sunscreen may have been rubbed off. It’s also recommended to reapply sunscreen every two hours, to ensure it continues to be effective.
The NHS advises not to use sunscreen on babies younger than six months, as it’s not great for their very delicate skin. Instead, young babies should be kept out of direct sunlight between March and October.
What sunscreen should children with eczema use?
For anyone with eczema, it’s a good idea to opt for mineral sunscreen over chemical-based ones, as the latter can cause flare-ups or irritation. Meanwhile, any formulas that are too thick and greasy may become itchy and uncomfortable on the skin, so, it’s best to test a new product on a small patch of skin first, rather than simply slathering on the lotion and heading outside. Look for formulas that contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, as they are very effective UV ray blockers and have a low-allergy risk.
Should kids use SPF 30 or 50 sunscreen?
According to the NHS guidance, children aged under 6 months should be kept out of direct strong sunlight. For children, it’s advised to apply at least SPF 30 sunscreen from March to October in the UK.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Zoë Phillimore has been producing product reviews for IndyBest since 2021, and has written extensively about kids’ and parenting essentials, including the best high chairs, mattresses for children and kids’ toys and gifts. With the help of some mini testers, Zoë assesses products to see how they’ll stand up to real world testing, before bringing you her honest reviews and verdicts.
Now the kids are sorted, invest in one of these facial sunscreens that will give you daily protection, too
