12 of the highest-rated budget SPFs under £20 to protect your skin

This lot won't clog pores or leave a dreaded white cast...

Budget SPFS

by Georgia Scott |
Updated on

If there's one beauty rule that everyone on the planet should follow, it is to wear SPF every single day. No ifs, no buts, no maybes (and yes, this does apply to you if you live in the UK!) There is one 'but' though - it might be a common misconception that a good SPF costs a fortune but we're here to show you that's not the case.

Helping protect your skin from harsh UV rays, even on cloudy days, a good SPF has plenty of benefits including warding off sun-induced fine lines and wrinkles and preventing pigmentation.

Best highest-rated SPFS under £20 at a glance:

Best vitamin C budget SPF for glow: Garnier Vitamin C Daily UV Fluid SPF50+ Glow, £12.90 on LookFantastic

Best glowy budget SPF: e.l.f. Suntouchable! Whoa Glow SPF 30 Sunbeam, £14 on ASOS

Best daily moisturiser budget SPF: Cetaphil Daily Defence Moisturiser SPF50+, £14.50 on LookFantastic

As it's designed as a final step in your morning skincare routine, it's important to find a product that sits well under make-up and doesn't clog pores - or give you that dreaded white cast. However, it's a complete myth that you need to splurge on a sun protection cream. In fact, there are plenty of high-rated SPFs under £20 that will protect your skin and leave your base looking tip-top.

Searching for a moisturiser with SPF? We've got you. In the meantime, keep scrolling to shop our round up of the best budget SPFs under £20.

SHOP: The best budget SPFs to shop 2024

Best vitamin C budget SPF for glow

Garnier Vitamin C Daily UV Fluid SPF50+ GlowGarnier

One of Garnier's recent skincare launches that combines vitamin C with the high protection SPF50+ in a lightweight, glowing fluid. The vitamin C gets to work to brighten and tone whilst protecting the skin from the sun all day. The Daily UV Fluid is available in two variations: Glow and Invisible depending on your preferred finish and skin type.

Protection factor: 50+

Promising review: "I just love this radiant vitamin C moisturiser with a tiny tint of colour. It's so lovely on it's own, you glow! Can't wait to use it on my holiday. Recommended to me by my friend now four of us are using it."

Pros

  • Multipurpose product
  • Skin looks instantly glowing

Cons

  • Only one shade of glow

Best glowy budget SPF

e.l.f. Suntouchable! Whoa Glow SPF 30 Sunbeame.l.f.

This SPF will soon become your new bestie. It's formulated with a slight hint of peach shimmer which makes your skin show off that glow. It is also mixed with aloe and hyaluronic acid, which your skin will be thanking you for. Let’s not forget to mention it doubles as a primer, helping make your make-up last all day long.

Protection factor: 30

Promising review: “AMAZING!! This is amazing. I love using this before my make-up and it gives me a nice glow on the skin. It doesn’t pill at all and products go amazing over it. I would 100% recommend this to everyone and if you’ve been thinking about buying go for it you won’t regret it”.

Pros

  • Available in three shades
  • Lightweight formula

Cons

  • Some reviews say product leaves a glittery residue

Best daily moisturiser budget SPF

Cetaphil Daily Defence Moisturiser SPF50+Cetaphil

A fragrance-free SPF that is suitable for all skin types. It absorbs easily into the skin, leaving you looking fresh and dewy all day long. Cetaphil gets it right when it comes to caring for sensitive skin types and this moisturiser is perfect to wear everyday without causing irritation.

Protection factor: 50

Promising review: “I usually really struggle to find a nice SPF moisturiser, this is really hydrating and a great everyday essential. My new go to, it ticks all the right boxes”

Pros

  • Great for acne prone skin types
  • Can be used as both a moisturiser and SPF

Cons

  • Some reviews say product leaves slight white cast

Best budget SPF to target dark spots

For ultra-gleamy skin, this budget SPF promises to protect skin against sun-induced ageing and help to fade dark spots. This product works hard to protect the skin as it treats any exisiting dark spots and pigmentation as well as balancing melanin production.

Protection factor: 50

Promising review: "I have been using this cream for over a month now and I have to say it is the best day SPF I have ever used. It is not oily, it doesn’t leave any white finish on your face. It hydrates your skin without making it feel greasy. The marks on my face have completely gone and I will definitely buy again."

Pros

  • Product treats exisiting pigmentation
  • Balances melanin production

Cons

  • Slightly scented

Best hydrating budget SPF

A hydrating and smooth SPF cream that's effective in protecting your skin from harsh UV rays. Containing hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, your skin will be left smooth and protected, while reducing the appearance of wrinkles and any dark spots.

Protection factor: 50

Promising review: “This is a great product. The cream feels rich and moisturising and absorbs well. I like a high SPF in a facial moisturiser, especially in the summer but useful all year round. This cream feels like a really good moisturiser with high protection from the sun so I will definitely be buying it again”.

Pros

  • Contains hardworking ingredients to care for the skin
  • Great for dry skin

Cons

  • Leaves a slight white cast

Best vitamin C budget SPF with high protection

For a formula which delivers impressive UV protection as well as being sweat, water and pollution-proof, this is a great SPF to have in your arsenal. Plus, the added vitamin C promises up to four times brighter skin, proving you really can have it all.

Protection factor: 50+

Promising review: "Non-greasy, quickly absorbed and does not clog pores. Great for everyday use."

Pros

  • Formulated with hyaluronic acid, vitamins C and E
  • Product absorbs quickly

Cons

  • Slightly scented

Best lightweight budget SPF

Bondi Sands Hydra SPF 50+ Face Fluid Bondi Sands
Price: £8.99 (was £11.99)

www.lookfantastic.com

Bondi Sands has done it again, by creating the perfect formula to soak up the sun without feeling guilty about any sun damage. It's also very hydrating thanks to the infusion of ethically sourced algae. All in all, a lightweight SPF product that customers are obsessing over.

Protection factor: 50+

Promising review: “AMAZING- I wanted a lightweight high-protection SPF cream for my face and this one is perfect! It’s smooth, silky and not oily. It works great after my usual skincare routine and also works great under make-up. I’ve started using SPF 50 every day all year round to help stop UV rays ageing my skin. This product has worked wonders”

Pros

  • Radiant finish
  • Doesn't leave a greasy residue

Cons

  • Some reviews say it's not ideal under make-up

Best budget SPF for all skin types

Revolution Skincare SPF50 Daily Defender Lightweight MoisturiserRevolution Skincare

We can always rely on Revolution to bring us the best products at an affordable price. Whilst protecting and refreshing your skin, it is designed to hydrate the skin with its lightweight texture. Plus, your mind will be put at ease knowing no UV rays will be damaging your skin.

Protection factor: 50

Promising review: “I used to use the oily skin SPF30 moisturiser but I'm so glad Revolution has come out with an SPF50 product. Non-greasy, not irritating on the skin, no breakouts. I use it every day”.

Pros

  • Ideal for all skin types
  • Blended with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide

Cons

  • Not ideal for oily skin

Best budget SPF for blemish-prone skin

By Beauty Bay SPF 50 Face LotionBeauty Bay

Beauty Bay is on it with keeping your skin healthy and glowy. Their SPF 50 will have you covered on a day-to-day basis, protecting you from UV rays, reducing redness and the appearance of wrinkles. What more could you ask for?

Protection factor: 50

Promising review: “Essential. Absolutely brilliant, face feels protected from the sun, blends beautifully with other skincare and is the perfect size to carry around with you/travel with. Will buy again every time I run out”.

Pros

  • Works for blemish-prone skin
  • Soothes skin instantly

Cons

  • Difficult to see when product needs replenishing

Best moisturising budget SPF

Byoma Moisturizing Gel-Cream SPF 30Byoma

Barrier-boosting skincare brand, Byoma has finally recently released its own SPF cream and it's a good 'un. Introducing a super hydrating, lightweight gel-cream hybrid which protects you against sun damage whilst leaving you with a glowy finish.

Protection factor: 30

Promising review: "I love this spf gel cream! It doesn’t feel like an SPF, it’s light and sinks into your skin rather than sitting on it. It has not clogged my pores at all. Would definitely recommend!"

Pros

  • Glowing finish looks radiant under make-up
  • No white cast

Cons

  • Only SPF30 protection

Best water-resistant budget SPF

grüum skyda Daily Defence Face Lotion SPF50 grüum

A lightweight, easily-absorbed SPF moisturiser that leaves your skin looking and feeling happy and healthy. Did we mention it's water-resistant?

Protection factor: 50

Promising review: “Excellent SPF- one of the best I’ve used! The SPF 50 cream is amazing all year round. The ingredients are ideal for protection of the face, and the cream is quite lightweight once I’ve done my skincare routine and used the cream which is easily absorbed I then apply my make up which goes on easily”.

Pros

  • Absorbs quickly
  • Water-resistant formula

Cons

  • Some reviews say product leaves a slight white cast

Best lightweight budget SPF

Hello Sunday SPF50 The One That's A Serum Face Drops Hello Sunday
Price: £17.60 (was £22)

www.asos.com

A hard-working serum that will keep your skin looking radiant throughout the day. Not only is this product vegan and cruelty-free, a few drops of this in the morning will protect you from infrared sun rays.

Protection factor: 50

Promising review: “Dream SPF. I have greasy skin and this didn’t make it worse. If anything it makes my make-up look better. It doesn’t smell chemical-ly, doesn’t leave a white cast on my olive skin and hasn’t broken me out. Excited to have finally found an SPF that works with my skin”.

Pros

  • Lightweight, serum texture
  • Easy and comfortable to wear

Cons

  • Glass bottle not ideal for travel

How much suncream should you apply?

According to the NHS website, you should aim to apply around 2 teaspoons of sunscreen if you're just covering your head, arms and neck or 2 tablespoons if you're covering your entire body while wearing a swimming costume.

Now you're unlikely to be carrying spoons around with you, especially for this purpose, but this is just meant as a rough guide. And if you're not sure, if you think it's too much, it probably isn't.

Georgia Scott is a beauty and fashion product writer writing across brands such as heat, Closer, Grazia and Yours specialising in all things lifestyle and trending. Before starting at Bauer, Georgia completed her degree in Journalism at University and worked as a retail beauty advisor and make-up artist.

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