With temperatures soaring into their high 20s recently, there is bound to be a few people across Scotland who are struggling to keep themselves protected from the blazing sunshine.
It's fair to say that we Scots are not designed for this unprecedented heatwave that has hit certain parts of the country recently, which is why a lot of us will be needing proper protection. And, even a high-factor sun tan lotion can leave some of us feeling a little bit crispy.
If you are going to be one of those who will be enjoying the sunshine over the next coming weeks - at home or abroad - then chances are that you will need a good bottle of after sun stocked in your fridge at some point soon. Not only is this lotion perfect for keeping your skin cool and hydrated post-sunburn, it is also good for keeping your skin smooth and hydrated after being out in the sun for so long.
While it is definitely always worth having a bottle of the stuff in your home somewhere, it is understandable that not everyone will be wanting to splash too much money on one bottle. Which is exactly why a few reporters from The Liverpool Echo have decided to test out budget-priced bottles from three leading supermarkets.
Testing cheap bottles from Aldi, Morrisons and Asda, here is how each supermarket's budget-friendly after sun fared...
Aldi Lacura Moisturising After Sun
At £1.79 for a 200ml bottle, this is a pretty cheap option. I try and take care in the sun but being fair skinned I can end up burning, even in this country, if I don't regularly apply protection. Last weekend, after a Sunday spent in the sunshine, I ended up a little red around shoulders and tops of my legs.
This Aldi after sun lotion has a fairly thin consistency and smells quite nice - almost a bit fruity - and I didn't have to use much to cover my entire arms and legs. Although the cream sunk into my skin quite easily, it left a sticky wetness to it, which I wasn't keen on.
I applied it after a shower before I went to bed and even the next morning my skin felt quite tacky to touch, where I'd applied the cream. It didn't have any sort of cooling effect either, so although it's certainly cheap, it's not one I'd buy again.
Price: £1.79
Rating: 1/5
Where to buy: Aldi stores or online.
Morrisons Protect and Nourish Soothing After Sun Spray
Coming in at £3 for a 200ml bottle, this option from Morrisons costs a little more than the likes of Aldi. However, in my opinion, it is well worth it. The product is easy to apply thanks to a spray nozzle, which was good for ensuring I got the right amount of lotion onto the skin. The first thing I noticed was that the product has a lovely coconut-like smell, making it pleasant to apply.
This after sun is fast-absorbing and non-greasy and soaked into the skin quickly. A little goes a long way and you really don't need to use too much of it to get a good amount of coverage. I felt the cooling effect of the lotion too, which was a welcome relief after a sunny day.
What I loved about it was how it felt on the skin - it left the skin feeling smooth and moisturised. This lasted well too, I felt like my skin felt softer for some time after I applied it. I'd definitely purchase this product again and would choose it over the more costly branded options.
Price: £3
Rating: 5/5
Where to buy: Morrisons stores or online
Asda Protect After Sun Lotion
After spending a little too much time in the sun last weekend, my skin was feeling a little sore and burnt - particularly my back! Despite tanning quite well, I can suffer with sunburn sometimes if I've been in the sun for a while.
I was after a quick, cooling fix but didn't want to spend loads of money, so I thought I'd try Asda's own version of after sun. Some after sun can end up costing a fortune, like this Ultrasun product from LOOKFANTASTIC, priced at a whopping £14
Understandably, a product as important as after sun isn't going to be dirt cheap, but I was interested to see how well an Asda own brand product would live up to its promises. The Asda 'Protect After Sun Lotion' comes with a cooling aloe vera formula, said to rehydrate and moisturise for up to 24 hours.
After applying it to my rather burnt back, I was amazed at how cooling it was. It smelt absolutely amazing too, and left my skin feeling soft and refreshed.
The only downside to this product was the fact that you need a lot. In this case, a little doesn't go a long way, and you have to put on quite a lot of cream to really feel the difference. Considering this bottle is 400ml though, you get a lot for your money, which is why I'll be giving this lotion 4/5.
Price: £3
Rating: 4/5
Where to buy: Asda stores or online
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