With the recent scorching hot weather and the crazy heatwave in full swing, shoppers are bound to be frantically trying to snap up some sun lotion.
Sun cream is already flying off the shelves, and with the blazing hot sun out in full force, there's even more risk of being burnt to a crisp. Us Brits are known to struggle with the sunshine, and although many of us will be choosing to avoid it completely, some of us may not be able to escape it when going about our day to day lives.
As well as keeping hydrated and trying to stay out as the sun as much as possible, it's so important to ensure that you're protected with a high factor sun lotion. Of course, it all depends on our skin type, but it's important to make sure your chosen SPF suits your skin.
READ MORE: We tried cheap after sun lotion from Aldi, Morrisons and Asda and one scored top marks
With the cost of everything going up, staple items such as sun cream can cost up to a whopping £6 for 200ml depending on the brand, like one by drugstore favourite, Nivea. We decided to test out 'value' supermarket sun creams to see if they're just as good as the branded products.
Tesco's Soleil Fragrance Free Sun Protection Lotion
At £3.20, Tesco's own brand sun cream certainly isn't as cheap as the likes of Aldi but how did it measure up? Well, given the size of the bottle and the sheer amount of options Tesco offers, it definitely had me thinking it would be a winner.
Luckily, I was right. The 200ml was among the last bottles on the shelf thanks to our recent heatwave, but Tesco clearly had a huge range of options on offer if the signs on the shelf are anything to go by.
The product is easy to apply, though you need to be careful about squeezing the bottle to ensure you get the right amount. The first thing I noticed was that the product was light and fast-absorbing.
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. This product left the skin feeling smooth and moisturised and it lasted well, too.
I'd definitely purchase this product again and would choose it over the more costly branded options.
Price: £3.20
Rating: 5/5
Where to buy: Your local Tesco store or online here.
Aldi Lacura Moisturising Sun Lotion
I wasn't blessed with skin that tans - I burn incredibly easily and sadly, erratically. I've spent many unfortunate summer holidays with random red blobs and blotches all over my arms and legs. With such sensitive skin, I feel pretty clued up on sun lotions and potions and their importance.
The sun's powerful rays can cause damage even on a cloudy day, so wearing SPF products has become part of my daily skincare routine. I've found my favourites over the years but have never tried Aldi's Lacura sun range.
My local Aldi's shelves were pretty bare, which left me having to buy something I've never bought before - SPF 15. I'm strictly a factor 30 or above kind of girl and in recent years, have stuck with factor 50. Though teenage me would have been mortified by the deathly pale shade of my pins, 31-year-old me is embracing it.
I only tried this on my forearms because, quite frankly, I'm not prepared to burn myself for my job, and I was impressed with the delightfully nostalgic scent. It instantly transported me to long, hot summer days as a child, without being too overpowering.
It's a thick consistency, though it's absorbed relatively easily into the skin. It doesn't leave the skin feeling overly tacky like some products and I love that it's rated five stars for UVA protection. A 200ml bottle cost £2.39 which I thought was excellent value.
Aldi's own products are also Leaping Bunny certified cruelty free - the gold standard - which is very important to me. I will definitely try other products in Aldi's Lacura sun lotion range, I just hope I can get my hands on some SPF 50.
Price: £2.39
Rating: 4/5
Where to buy: Your local Aldi store or online
Morrisons Protect and Nourish Moisturising Sun Lotion
As someone with pale skin, I always make sure to stock up on sun cream during the summer and usually opt for a bottle of SPF 50. I'd never tried Morrisons' own version before but was pleasantly surprised. Coming in at £3 for a 200ml bottle of SPF 50, I thought it was reasonably priced, especially when compared to some of the more expensive brands.
One of the things I loved about this sun cream was its appealing smell, which lasts well on the skin. The product is non-greasy and has a nice moisturising feel to it too, meaning it blended in smoothly and didn't leave me feeling sticky.
With the sun cream not having a spray applicator, it does mean you have to be cautious not to apply too much at once, and you don't need to use too much to get a good coverage of product either. The product is vegan friendly and cruelty free too, which is an added bonus.
Overall, I was impressed with this sun cream and would definitely buy it again.
Price: £3
Rating: 4/5
Where to buy: Your local Morrisons store
Asda Protect Moisturising Sun Lotion Medium SPF 15
Admittedly, I'm always very lazy when it comes to sun cream, which I know is very dangerous. I'm keen to wear it on holiday, but quite often forget to pop it on during summer in the UK.
I think it's because I forget the UK sun can be just as strong as when you're abroad, especially recently with the heatwave. After using plenty of tan enhancing oils during trips abroad, I was after something that was safer and cheaper.
A bottle of 200ml Nivea sun cream will set shoppers back a whopping £6 for SPF50, and although the Asda own brand lotion was lower at SPF15, it was still considerably more affordable at £2.80 for 200ml.
The bottle of the Asda Protect Moisturising sun lotion was fairly simple looking, but didn't look cheap at all. Once I put it onto my skin I was really surprised at the thickness of the lotion.
It was the smell that really impressed me though, it was incredibly refreshing and smelt amazing - a rarity for often clinical smelling sun lotions. It smoothed onto my skin really easily, but it did feel slightly drying too.
I tested the lotion while sat outside on my lunchbreak and, for an affordable lotion in the middle of a crazy heatwave, it worked pretty well. Although, it's important to note that the SPF15 was the only factor they had available in my local Asda at the time, but stronger SPFs are available.
Price: £2.80
Rating: 4/5
Where to buy: Your local Asda store or online here.
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