When it comes to Sun Cream, there's no shortage of brilliant brands to choose from. Hawaiian Tropic is a long-time favourite, known for its tropical-scented formulas that make sun protection feel like a treat. Trusted by families for generations, Piz Buin offers a comprehensive range covering everything from SPF15 to SPF50 for face and body. Budget-friendly and dermatologist-developed, Altruist has gained a huge following for making high-quality sun protection accessible to everyone. Calypso is a reliable holiday staple with a wide range of SPFs, while Malibu combines effective protection with skin-nourishing ingredients. For those who want a longer-lasting formula, Riemann P20 is a cult favourite that stays effective for up to ten hours with just one application. Ultrasun takes a similar once-a-day approach, with fragrance-free options that are particularly popular with sensitive skin. Clinically advanced Heliocare incorporates antioxidant technology for an extra layer of skin protection, while Nivea Sun and Garnier Ambre Solaire round things out as two of the most recognisable and widely loved names in everyday sun care.

Whether you're chasing a sun-kissed glow or going all out for a deep, golden tan, there's a brand for every approach. ProTan is a go-to for sunbed lovers, with powerful bronzing and intensifying formulas designed to maximise every session. A true icon of the self-tan world, St. Tropez is celebrated for its natural-looking, buildable results and has been a staple in tanning routines for decades. Bondi Sands brings that sun-kissed Australian glow to your bathroom shelf, with an impressive range of mousses, drops and gradual tans at an accessible price point. Loved by sunbed enthusiasts, Devoted Creations delivers luxurious tanning lotions packed with skin-conditioning ingredients for a deeper, longer-lasting colour. 2BTanned is a popular choice for both sunbed and outdoor tanning, combining effective bronzing actives with nourishing skincare benefits. For fast-developing, streak-free results, Cocoa Brown has become a firm favourite, particularly for its brilliant one-hour tan mousse. The Fox Tan has earned cult status for its rapid tanning elixirs and oils that help skin tan faster in natural sunlight. Professional-grade and trusted by salons, Sienna X offers spray tan solutions and self-tan products that deliver a flawless, even finish. Bellamianta is known for its deeply pigmented, long-lasting formulas that cater to those who love a rich, dark tan, while B Bold rounds things out with a range of vibrant tanning products designed to help you go as deep or as subtle as you like.

Choosing the right SPF comes down to your skin type, how much time you're spending outdoors and the strength of the sun. SPF15 offers a basic level of protection and is generally considered sufficient for everyday incidental sun exposure in cooler climates, such as a short walk or commute. SPF30 is the most widely recommended level for daily use, blocking around 97% of UVB rays and offering solid protection for most skin types during typical outdoor activities. For extended time in strong sunlight, holidays abroad or anyone with fair, sensitive or hyperpigmentation-prone skin, SPF50 is the safest choice, providing the highest level of protection available in most sunscreens. Regardless of which SPF you choose, reapplying every two hours and after swimming or sweating is just as important as the factor itself.

Using a dedicated face sun cream is well worth it. The skin on your face is more delicate than the rest of your body, and body sunscreens can be too heavy or pore-clogging for facial use, potentially causing breakouts or irritation. Facial sun creams are specifically formulated to be lightweight, non-comedogenic and comfortable to wear daily, often doubling up as a moisturiser or makeup base. The Altruist Dermatologist Face Fluid SPF50 is a brilliant budget-friendly option that absorbs quickly without any greasiness, while the Bondi Sands Everyday Lotion Face Sunscreen Fragrance-Free SPF50+ is a great choice for sensitive skin. For those wanting added anti-ageing benefits, the Calypso Anti-Age Face Lotion Sun Protection Cream SPF30 combines protection with skin-smoothing ingredients. The MooGoo Natural Tinted Face Cream SPF40 is perfect for those who want a hint of coverage alongside their SPF, and the Aveeno Face Calm+ Restore Moisturising Lotion SPF50 is a soothing option for sensitive or reactive skin.

After sun should be applied every time your skin has been exposed to the sun, not just when you've caught too much of it. Sun exposure depletes the skin's moisture levels and can leave it feeling tight, dry or irritated, and after sun works to restore that hydration while calming any redness and helping your tan last longer. Apply it generously as soon as you're out of the sun, and reapply before bed for best results. The Malibu Miracle Tan Moisturising Before & After Sun Lotion is a versatile option that works both before and after sun exposure to keep skin in great condition. For a cooling, soothing hit, the Bondi Sands Hydra After Sun Aloe Vera Cooling Aerosol Foam is ideal after a long day in the heat, while the Piz Buin After Sun Tan Intensifying Moisturising Lotion helps to deepen and extend your tan as it hydrates. The Calypso After Sun Lotion with Insect Repellent is a handy two-in-one for holidays, and the Hawaiian Tropic Hydrating After Sun Lotion leaves skin feeling soft, nourished and beautifully scented after a day in the sun.

Korean sun creams have taken the skincare world by storm, and for good reason. While traditional Western sunscreens have historically leaned towards thicker, creamier formulas, Korean SPFs are known for their incredibly lightweight, skin-loving textures that absorb quickly, leave no white cast and often include skincare ingredients that actively benefit the skin. Many also carry a PA++++ rating alongside their SPF, which indicates a higher level of protection against UVA rays specifically, giving a more complete picture of their protective power. The Beauty of Joseon Rice & Probiotic Sunscreen PA++++ SPF50+ combines sun protection with brightening rice extract and skin-balancing probiotics, while the Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen PA++++ SPF50+ delivers a featherlight finish that works beautifully under makeup. The Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturising Sunscreen PA++++ SPF50+ is a brilliant choice for dry or dehydrated skin, and the Tocobo Bio Watery Sun Cream PA++++ SPF50+ has gained a loyal following for its gel-like texture that feels almost weightless on the skin. For a tone-up effect alongside protection, the Medicube PDRN Pink Tone Up Sun Cream PA++++ SPF50+ brightens and evens the complexion while keeping skin shielded from UV damage.

Both fake tan and gradual tan use DHA to develop colour on the skin, but they work in quite different ways. Fake tan is applied in one go and develops over a few hours, giving a noticeable result quickly and allowing you to control the depth of colour from the start. It's the go-to choice for anyone who wants an immediate, all-over glow. The Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan Express Self Tan Mousse is a brilliant option for a fast result, while the b.tan Glow Your Own Way Next Level Clear Self Tan Gel delivers a deeply pigmented finish and the Grays Glowjob You Make Me Foam Self Tanning Mousse is a great pick for a mousse-style application. Gradual tan, on the other hand, is designed to be used like a moisturiser, building colour gently with each application over several days for a more subtle, natural finish. The Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk and The Fox Tan Gradual Glow Body Self Tan Lotion are both easy daily options, while the Dove Summer Revived Self Tanning Body Lotion is a great entry point for beginners who want to ease into a glow gradually.

Preparation is everything when it comes to a flawless fake tan. Start by exfoliating thoroughly in the shower, paying extra attention to dry areas like knees, elbows and ankles where colour tends to build up unevenly. The Rose & Caramel White Exfoliating Gloves are a great tool for this, buffing away dead skin to create a smooth, even base. Moisturise any particularly dry patches before applying your tan, as dry skin absorbs more DHA and can lead to patchy results. Always use a tanning mitt to apply your product in long, sweeping circular motions for an even finish, and the St. Moriz Velvet Tanning Mitt is a reliable choice for a smooth, streak-free application. For hard-to-reach areas like the back, the Bondi Sands Back Applicator takes the guesswork out of full-body coverage. For blending around tricky areas like the hairline, hands and feet, the B Bold Blending Brush gives you the precision needed to avoid any telltale lines. Always wash your hands immediately after application, and allow your tan to dry fully before getting dressed.

A tanning accelerator is a lotion or oil designed to boost your skin's natural melanin production, helping you develop a deeper, longer-lasting tan when exposed to UV rays, whether that's natural sunlight or a sunbed. They typically contain ingredients like tyrosine, which stimulates melanin, alongside moisturising ingredients to keep skin hydrated and help the tan develop more evenly. The ProTan Incredibly Black Bronzing Tanning Accelerator Lotion is a powerful choice for those chasing a deep, dark result, while the Malibu Fast Tanning Oil is a popular pick for maximising colour in natural sunlight. The Devoted Creations White2Bronze Pure Pomegranate Dark Intensifier combines tanning actives with skin-nourishing pomegranate, and the Fiesta Sun Mango Melt Dark Tanning Accelerator Lotion is a great option for those who love a tropical twist to their tan prep. For a lower-commitment way to try an accelerator, the Rapid Tan Vanilla Baby Advanced Tanning Accelerator Lotion Sachet is an affordable single-use option worth trying. It's worth noting that tanning accelerators do not contain SPF, so should always be used alongside appropriate sun protection.