If you’re heading to a sunnier climate this summer, one of the first things on your packing list should be sunscreen. For many people, using sunscreen is second nature, (according to the Daily Mail, as a nation we spend £259 million per year on sunscreen products but still suffer the damage of UV rays and skin cancer numbers are on the rise).

Could the problem be in the choice of creams we use?

According to experts, some of the best-rated sunscreens are those that contain zinc oxide and titanium oxide, which block the sun, and leave a whitish residue on the skin. A sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 can provide adequate protection if applied and reapplied properly, but a better solution may be simply to use a sunscreen with a higher SPF – anything above 30 is thought to provide little extra protection.

There is a lot of useful information online including sun safety from the NHS, and you can’t go wrong having a look at this sunscreen factsheet from the British Association of Dermatologists.

We’ve listed three of the top-rated choices from the Daily Mail and Marie Claire below, but in general try to stick to water-resistant, non-spray lotions without bug repellent, and always check the use-by dates. Happy tanning!

Ambre Solaire Face Protect SPF30, (£12.25)

Clarins Sun Care Cream UVB30 (£17.50)

Simple Sun Sensitive Lotion SPF15 (£10.20)

Christian Dior Bronze SPF30 (£22.47)