Are Own-Brand Sun Creams Any Good? Budget vs Big Brands
- 7 hours ago
- 4 min read
Supermarket sunscreen can cost under £3, while branded bottles often sell for £10 to £16 for similar SPF ratings. That huge price gap naturally raises a question many shoppers ask every summer.
Are own-brand sun creams actually any good?
Own-brand sun creams can be just as effective as branded sunscreen because they must meet the same SPF and UVA protection testing standards before being sold in the UK. The biggest differences between supermarket and branded sunscreens usually come down to packaging, fragrance and marketing rather than protection.
In some cases, supermarket sunscreens cost 60% to 80% less than branded alternatives while offering the same SPF rating, making them a popular option for shoppers looking to save on summer essentials.
The sunscreen aisle can be surprisingly expensive
Take a look at the sun cream shelves in most supermarkets or chemists, and the price differences can be striking. One bottle might cost just a few pounds, while another sitting next to it carries a price tag four or five times higher.
For years, many shoppers assumed that the higher price meant better protection. Sunscreen has long been marketed as a premium skincare product, often tied to well-known brands and expensive packaging.
Yet over the past decade, consumer testing organisations and dermatologists have increasingly pointed out that price does not necessarily determine performance.
The growing popularity of supermarket own-brand sunscreens has helped fuel that debate.
Why sunscreen protection is regulated
Unlike many cosmetic products, sunscreen is tightly regulated. Before a product can be sold with an SPF rating in the UK or Europe, manufacturers must prove through laboratory testing that it provides the level of UVB protection stated on the label. Products must also meet minimum UVA protection standards and comply with cosmetic safety regulations.
In simple terms, if a sunscreen claims to be SPF50, it must deliver that level of protection regardless of whether it costs £3 or £15.
Where differences tend to appear is in factors such as texture, fragrance, packaging, and brand positioning, rather than in the basic protection itself.
A supermarket sunscreen case study
One example that highlights the pricing gap comes from Aldi’s Lacura sun care range, which returns to stores each year ahead of warmer weather.
The range includes a number of familiar sunscreen formats, including facial sunscreen, standard body lotions, spray mists and children’s roll-on formulas. Prices start from around £2.69*.
One of the most widely cited comparisons involves Aldi’s Lacura SPF50+ Sensitive Sun Lotion, sold in a 200ml bottle for £3.49*.
A comparable product from Garnier, Ambre Solaire Sensitive Advanced SPF50+, has a typical retail price of around £16*.
That creates a difference of more than £12 between two products designed for the same basic purpose.
Other products in the range include facial sunscreens priced at around £2.89*, spray sunscreens at £3.75* and children’s SPF50 roll-ons starting from £2.69*.
Price comparison: supermarket vs branded sunscreen
Prices correct as of March 16th 2026, but subject to change
Product Type | Supermarket Example | Price | Branded Equivalent | Typical Price | Saving |
Sensitive SPF50+ lotion (200ml) | Lacura Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF50+ | £3.49 | Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Advanced SPF50+ | £16.00 | £12.51 (78%) |
Face sunscreen SPF50 (50ml) | Lacura Shine Control Face Sun Lotion | £2.89 | Nivea UV Face Shine Control SPF50 | £13.50 | £10.61 (79%) |
Moisturising sunscreen (200ml) | Lacura Moisturising Sun Lotion SPF30/50 | £2.95 | Nivea Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion | £8.00 | £5.05 (63%) |
Dry mist sunscreen spray (200ml) | Lacura Refreshing Dry Mist | £3.75 | Nivea Protect & Dry Touch Spray | £13.20 | £9.45 (72%) |
Kids roll-on SPF50 (50ml) | Lacura Kids Sensitive Roll-On | £2.69 | Nivea Kids Protect & Sensitive Roll-On | £9.50 | £6.81 (72%) |
Seen this way, the sunscreen aisle becomes less about choosing between “cheap” and “premium” products and more about deciding whether the brand name is worth paying several pounds extra for.
Independent testing has highlighted value options
Price comparisons alone do not tell the whole story, which is why independent testing is often referenced when discussing sunscreen.
The consumer testing organisation Which? regularly assesses sunscreen products to confirm whether they deliver the protection stated on the label.
In previous testing, Aldi’s Lacura SPF50+ Sensitive Sun Lotion received a “Great Value” endorsement from Which?* after performing well relative to its price.
Dermatologist Dr Amiee Vyas has also commented that some of the cheapest sunscreens tested can still provide strong protection, suggesting consumers should not assume higher prices automatically mean better protection*.
That does not mean every cheap sunscreen will outperform premium brands, but it does highlight that affordability and effectiveness are not mutually exclusive.
Why supermarket sunscreen costs less
The main reason supermarket sunscreens cost less usually comes down to marketing rather than ingredients.
Large skincare brands invest heavily in global advertising campaigns, celebrity endorsements and product promotion. Packaging and brand positioning also influence the final retail price.
Supermarket own brands typically take a different approach. By adopting simpler packaging and avoiding costly advertising campaigns, retailers can sell sunscreen at a much lower price while still meeting regulatory standards.
The unexpected advantage of cheaper sunscreen
There is also a practical benefit to lower-priced sunscreen. Dermatologists often say the biggest problem with sun protection is not choosing the wrong product but failing to apply enough sunscreen or forgetting to reapply it.
When a bottle costs £15, people may try to make it last. Cheaper sunscreen removes some of that hesitation. If sunscreen costs only a few pounds, people are more likely to apply generous amounts and reapply throughout the day, which is a good thing!
FAQs
Are own-brand sunscreens actually good?
They can be. Sunscreens sold in the UK must meet testing requirements for SPF and UVA protection before they can be sold.
Is cheap sunscreen less effective?
Not necessarily. If a sunscreen carries an SPF rating, it must deliver that level of protection when used correctly.
Should you buy SPF30 or SPF50?
Both offer strong protection. SPF30 blocks around 97% of UVB rays, while SPF50 blocks around 98%.
Why are branded sunscreens more expensive?
Brand positioning, advertising campaigns and packaging often account for much of the price difference.
Sources and methodology
Product prices and comparisons based on information referenced in Aldi press materials.
Branded product prices sourced from retailer listings, including Boots.com, Ocado.com and Tesco.com, with prices checked on 26 February 2026.
Which? sunscreen testing recognising Lacura SPF50+ Sensitive Sun Lotion as a “Great Value” product.
Dermatologist commentary from Dr Amiee Vyas discussing sunscreen testing and affordability.
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