Sun cream – or sunscreen – might seem like an optional extra to us Brits. Let’s face it, we don’t often have the weather that makes us reach for a bottle of SPF! But it’s actually just as vital to your running kit list as a good pair of running shoes or running leggings.

Dermatologists have long preached the importance of using a face SPF to decrease our risk of skin cancer as well as to reduce skin damage. As runners, this is even more pertinent if we’re spending a lot of time outside.

“But I mostly run in grey, drizzle!” I hear you cry. Unfortunately, that’s no excuse: UV radiation can still damage your skin even if you’re not running in hot weather. You should be wearing an SPF year-round, wherever you live.

Convinced? Here’s our list of the very best sun creams for runners, tried and tested by the Women’s Running team.

Best for sensitive skin: Green People SPF50+ Sunscreen
Best gel sun cream: Ultrasun Sports Gel
Best spray sun cream: P20 Original 50+
Best sports-specific sun cream: Solarsport Sunscreen
Best for face and scalp: Ultrasun UV Face & Scalp Mist
Best facial sun cream with coverage: Colorescience Total Protection Face Shield Flex
Best sun cream for city running: P20 Urban Shield

How to choose the right sun cream for running

What is SPF?

Sun protection factor, otherwise known as SPF, indicates the strength of the sun protection product that you’re using. The higher the number, theoretically the longer you can stay in the sun before you risk getting burnt by UVB rays. That doesn’t mean that you’re 100% protected by your sun cream, though:
SPF 15 blocks around 93% of UVB rays.
SPF 30 blocks around 97% of UVB rays.
SPF 50 blocks around 98% of UVB rays.

What about UVA rays?

The SPF of a sun cream doesn’t measure how effective a product is against UVA rays. These rays are the ones responsible for things like premature ageing and dark spots. In the UK, there’s often a star rating on the product to tell you how much UVA protection it offers. A good sun cream will protect you against both UVA and UVB rays.

What SPF should I use for running?

These days, there are commonly three SPFs on offer. SPF 15 offers lighter protection for low UV conditions. In England, we have quite a lot of low UV conditions! The NHS recommends SPF 30 as a good everyday essential sun cream in the summer. SPF 50 is designed for those who are exposed to the sun a lot, or if you know that you’re prone to burning.

If you’re spending a lot of time running in the sun, SPF 50 will be the best bet to offer the most protection and increase the time before you need to stop and reapply.

How much do I need to apply?

Under application of sun cream is the biggest concern when it comes to sun exposure. According to Green People, most people only apply 25%-50% of the recommended amount. This heavily reduces the effectiveness of the sun cream and makes us much more prone to burning and sun damage.

So, how much do we need? Green People recommend measuring in 50p-sized amounts:
Face and neck: one 50p
Arm: one 50p for each
Leg: two 50ps for each
Torso: two 50ps each for front and back

What’s the difference between chemical and mineral SPF sun cream?

These terms refer to the UV-filters in the product. Mineral UV filters (also known as Physical UV-filters) use mineral oxides that sit on top of the skin and reflect or block UV rays. These are the sun creams that are likely to have a white or chalky appearance, although this isn’t always the case. Chemical UV-filters, by contrast, are carbon-based, and absorb UV rays to prevent skin damage.

You can get sun creams that use just one type of UV-filter, or some that combine both. Which is better? That’s going to be entirely up to you and your preferences.

Is there anything specific runners need to look for in a sun cream?

Some sunscreens have a tendency to sting if they get in your eyes due to chemicals and preservatives like avobenzone, and this can be aggravated if you’re sweating on a run. Look out for products for sensitive skin.

Waterproof sun creams are also a good idea for runners, especially if you tend to sweat a lot in exposed areas of skin.

Do I need to use a separate face sun cream?

Experts will tell you that ideally, you’ll be wearing a sun cream designed for your face on your face, and then a general sun cream for the rest of your body. But we also know runners that swear you can get away with wearing a general sunscreen on your face if it agrees with your skin. Ultimately, it’s up to you and your skin, so do a bit of testing yourself.

Can anything increase your sun sensitivity?

Yes, absolutely. “Everyday medicines such as antibiotics, retinoids, diuretics, contraceptives and acne treatments are known to increase sun sensitivity,” says Seema Khatri, Roseway Labs Pharmacist. This may mean that you need to apply sun cream more regularly, even in lower UV conditions. “SPF50 is preferred for higher-risk medications,” says Seema. “Mineral sunscreens are often better tolerated on sensitised skin. Reapply every 2 hours to minimise risk.”

If you’re worried about the effects of a medication you’re currently taking on your sun sensitivity, it’s worth talking to your doctor or pharmacist to get specific advice for you.

The best SPF sun cream for runners

Best for sensitive skin: Green People Scent-Free Sunscreen 50+

Green People Scent-Free Sunscreen 50+ technical details

SPF: 50
Features: Vegan, organic, cruelty-free, allergy-certified, ocean-friendly, water-resistant
Volume: 150ml
RRP: £30

What we loved about it

• Suited to all skin, including sensitive skin, due to ingredients
• High SPF ideal for running
• Suitable for face and body
• Doesn’t sting eyes when sweating
• Rubs in very easily

What we didn’t

• A little bit tacky even after rubbing in

What our testers said:

“This is a brand new product from Green People. I’m already a huge fan of theirs, having gotten on really well with their other SPFs. They really focus on making their products suitable for sensitive skin by using organic and allergy-tested ingredients. This is the first time they’ve had an SPF50 formulation and it’s such a winner for runners. The extra protection is so helpful when you’re out on a long run in the sun.

I was really impressed at how easily it rubbed into my skin. I’ve been using it on both my face and body, as it’s suitable for both. I also appreciated that it didn’t sting my eyes at all, even when I got quite the forehead sweat going on! The only negative thing I can say is that it felt a little bit tacky on the skin, even after I’d rubbed it all in. But that really was such a minor thing compared to the overall great experience of wearing it for my runs.”

Best gel sun cream: Ultrasun Sports Gel

Ultrasun Sports Gel technical details

SPF: 50
Features: Designed for sports specifically
Volume: 200ml (also available in other sizes)
RRP: £30

What we loved about it

• Transparent and easy to rub in
• Sweat-proof and didn’t run
• Cooling gel texture
• Handy application chart

What we didn’t

• Bottle quickly got a bit messy
• Smell is a little chemically on application, but does ease off

What our testers said:

“I love this sun cream. I find white sun creams really stressful to rub in, so the fact that this was a cooling gel that instantly absorbed into my skin was so great. There are also loads of options of size and SPF to suit your needs. It’s designed for elite athletes – while I don’t count myself as one, I really enjoyed all the elite features that it offers! It’s sweat-proof and didn’t run or reappear as I got hot on my run which was great. If you’re anything like me, you also don’t know how much sun cream to put on, so I loved that it came with the handiest application guide ever, based on a ratio of body part to finger lengths of gel.

There are only a couple of things I can fault it on. Its smell is quite strong on opening the bottle and applying, but it does fade. And the design of the bottle with the gel consistency meant that it got messy quite quickly – but nothing a regular wipe couldn’t fix.”

Best spray sun cream: P20 Original 50+

P20 Original 50+ technical details

SPF: 50
Features: 10-hours of protection, water-resistant, suitable for face, scalp & body, cruelty-free, vegan
Volume: 100ml (also available in other sizes)
RRP: £19.99

What we loved about it

• Transparent and easy to rub in
• Great spray bottle mechanism
• Long-lasting protection

What we didn’t

• Chemical smell on application

What our testers said:

“Spraying is my preferred way to apply sun cream, but I don’t think I’ve ever bought a spray bottle that has lasted more than a week or two before the mechanism has given out. Until now, of course! This spray is still going strong and I’m optimistic that it might even make it all the way through the summer.

Bottle aside, it’s a lovely sun cream to use. It’s a transparent formulation, so lovely and light and easy to rub in to the skin without leaving any residue. It’s got all the features you could want, from high levels of UVA and UVB protection to cruelty-free ingredients. The only thing I didn’t like was the smell when I applied it, but this does fade and doesn’t come back as you sweat, so I can forgive that.”

Best sports-specific sun cream: Solarsport Sunscreen

Solarsport sunscreen technical details

SPF: 30
Features: Easy spray application
Volume: 50ml
RRP: £9.99

What we loved about it

• Spray cap makes it really easy and quick to apply
• Small and compact making it perfect for protection on the go
• Absorbs quickly

What we didn’t

• Not the highest protection on offer

What our testers said:

“The perfect size for any gym bag, get high-performance sun protection from this SPF sunscreen. It’s quick to absorb, shields from UVA, UVB and IRA rays, and protects your skin from photoaging and dehydration.”

Best for face & scalp: Ultrasun UV Face & Scalp Mist

Ultrasun UV Face & Scalp Mist technical details

SPF: 50
Features: Mist application
Volume: 75ml / 150ml
RRP: £22

What we loved about it

• So easy to apply
• Absorbed really well
• Great that it’s multi-functional
• Can be worn under or on top of make-up

What we didn’t:

• Hard to know how much to apply for full protection

What our testers said:

“This is my go-to sun cream for both exercise and just general life now! It’s just so easy to put on because of the misting application – you just need to spray and go. I love the formula as well, as it’s clear and non-greasy. It can be so annoying to apply sun cream to freshly washed hair and end up with a greasy mess! And on non-running days, it also sits really well over make-up if I’ve forgotten to put any sun protection on underneath.

Because the sun cream itself is so lightweight, the bottle was super-portable. On longer trail runs, I could fit it into my running belt alongside my phone and keys to reapply as needed.

The only issue I had with this sun cream was knowing how much to put on – it’s so lightweight and fine that I wasn’t sure exactly how much would give me full protection. It’s definitely something that you can work out as you go, though!”

Best facial sun cream with coverage: Colorescience Total Protection Face Shield Flex

Colorescience Total Protection Face Shield Flex technical details

SPF: 50
Features: Adapts to your skin tone as you apply
Volume: 55ml
RRP: £40

What we loved about it

• Adapts to your skin tone easily for flawless coverage
• Blends easily
• Great protection

What we didn’t

• Squeezy bottle that’s a little more fiddly than a pump or spray

What our testers said:

“This is SO clever! It’s one of those smart foundations that comes out of the tube white, but then adapts to your skin tone as you apply it. It blends in easily, no faffing about, gives really good coverage – up there with some very spendy foundations languishing in my make up bag – AND it has the added bonus of 50 SPF. Absolute must have for sunny holidays!”

Best sun cream for city runs: P20 Urban Shield

P20 Urban Shield technical details

SPF: 50
Features: Anti-pollution protection, 10-hours of sun protection, extra UVA protection, antioxidant,
Volume: 50ml
RRP: £30

What we loved about it

• Extra UVA protection compared to other sun creams
• Rubs in easily with no white marks and feels nice on skin
• Pollution protection is a nice bonus
• Also good for everyday use – sits nicely under makeup

What we didn’t

• Strange smell on application

What our testers said:

“As someone who runs in the city a lot, I really loved the idea that this sun cream was protecting me against pollution as well as the sun. It also has extra UVA protection compared to other sun creams I’ve used, which I really appreciate. No one wants to be aged by the sun!

It rubs in easily and doesn’t leave any white marks. It also felt nice on my skin, which isn’t always a given with sun creams. It’s been great for running, but I’ve also been using it as an everyday face sun cream too. It sits nicely under make-up. It does have a bit of a strange smell, though. Once it’s soaked in, it’s less noticeable, but maybe not ideal for scent-sensitive runners.”