Best: Overall

Rating: 10/10

As a new parent all you want is the reassurance that you’re doing the right thing for your baby. And when it comes to SPF, this is honestly the best one you can put on their skin. It has been specifically designed for babies so you know it’s not going to irritate their delicate skin, especially if your baby does react to products, has eczema or sensitive skin.

It has brilliant broad-spectrum SPF so slathering it on is like the equivalent of applying a sun-protective security blanket over them. And while it is a bit more pricey than others out there, when they are so little it really is worth investing a bit more on a great product that you know is going to work. It comes with a handy pump applicator making it easy to get on, especially if you only have one hand spare, and the bottle is a great size for throwing in the nappy bag or pram so you can keep topping up when you’re out and about.

Best: For sensitive skin

Rating: 9/10

When it comes to sensitive skin you know you’re in safe hands with French pharmacy brand, Avène. All its products contain soothing Avène thermal spring water, which not only hydrates the skin but contains ingredients that prevent skin from becoming irritated. As a lot of suncreams can cause skin to become unhappy, this is a great option for any little ones prone to eczema, rashes or itchy skin. And we can confirm that it didn’t irritate our tiny tester who has small patches of eczema in the crooks of her elbows and the backs of her knees.

It has a lovely light, creamy texture that gets absorbed quickly making a full head-to-toe application take just a few seconds, and leaves the skin feeling soft, smooth and not greasy at all. The tube applicator is faff-free too. While this may not be the sexiest of SPFs, it is reliable, does exactly what it needs to and does that exceptionally well, so what else could you want?

Best: For easy application

Rating: 8/10

French skincare brand Lancaster knows a thing or two about how to create a great suntan lotion and the children’s SPF is no exception. Not only does the high factor protect against UVA and UVB rays, but also visible light and infrared rays too. It comes in a good-sized spray bottle and when we say it’s easy to get on, we mean it. Even on the wriggliest toddler, you can use this spray upside down and sideways, but you need to contort yourself to make sure it’s on, and on properly.

The consistency is milky but it’s not so runny you can’t ensure that it’s rubbed in properly. And it sinks in immediately, leaving no cast or greasy-oily residue behind. Plus, it can be applied to both dry and wet skin – an absolute saviour for poolside holidays.

Best: Budget buy

Rating: 9.5/10

This is a suncream that has been designed with the idea of making parents’ lives easier and engaging children to want to have SPF put on them – not always the easiest of feats. That’s not to say that it doesn’t have brilliant sun protection credentials, it absolutely does. It has 5 star UVA and UVB protection and it is extra water-resistant, making it ideal for summer holidays spent by the sea or the pool.

But what won our little ones over was the fact that it was slime green and “smells like apples”. They wanted to rub it in themselves and were more than happy to have more of it sprayed on with the “suncream pistol”. The spray gun applicator not only makes it quicker to get lots of suncream on small bodies but it makes it more fun too, which is half the battle won. And thankfully the trigger has a safety catch that a grown-up can easily click up and down to make it work, and little fingers can’t quite manipulate, so you won’t end up with suncream going everywhere. So simple, but so genius.

Best: Luxury buy

Rating: 8/10

Ultrasun is a sun care brand you can trust through and through thanks to the number of awards its products have won over the years. And this SPF50+ for kids can do no wrong in our eyes. Not only does it offer exceptionally high protection, making it a great choice for babies and children with fair skin, but it contains a unique ingredient called Celligent, which future-proofs the skin from sun damage as it delivers additional cell protection.

The formula is water-resistant, reef-friendly, vegan and also non-comedogenic, which means it won’t block pores – this may not be a huge concern for your babies but if are a family with older children who break out in spots thanks to the combo of sweat and suncream, then this is for them too. It comes in a handy pump applicator and while the product does feel quite thick to begin with, it is exceptionally easy to rub in and leaves the skin feeling velvety smooth. It is not the cheapest suncream, which is why it didn’t get the top spot, but you are getting what you pay for with this.

Best: For hydration

Rating: 8/10

As you would expect from any Nivea suncream, this has stellar UV protection and it also contains aloe vera to help soothe skin against sun-induced irritations. Sadly it doesn’t contain the standard Nivea sun tan lotion, arguably one of the best scents in the world, but that does make it perfect for sensitive and delicate skin. It sinks in immediately and the skin does feel slightly creamy after, but our little ones didn’t seem to mind that.

The formulation is 76 per cent biodegradable and doesn’t contain filters which some believe to be damaging to the ocean. And the squirty bottle is made from 95 per cent post-consumer recycled plastics. So if you’re looking for a mass-market SPF that is making moves to help save the planet, then this is a very good option.

Best: Consistency

Rating: 8/10

It’s hard to believe that a suncream can be unique, but we promise you this one will be unlike any others you have tried before.

Firstly, the consistency. It squirts out as a mousse (FYI: make sure you give the bottle a good shake each time you use it to ensure no extra gas escapes) but as you rub it between your hands, it magically transforms into an almost balm-like consistency making it very easy to rub onto the skin. You can even use it on the face and apply it into the hairline and onto the scalp, unlike many other mousse SPFs that are too oily and greasy for that.

Then there’s the technology behind it. It contains components that sink deeper into the skin than other SPFs, which means it protects not only the surface layers of skin but the deeper ones too. It is super gentle, making it perfect for sensitive baby skin but has also been approved by the Vitiligo Association. As well as the factor 30 it does also come in SPF50 so Evy have got all sun protection bases covered.

Best: Organic buy

Rating: 8/10

Containing 84 per cent certified organic ingredients and carrying Vegetarian Society and Cruelty Free official certifications, if you’re looking for an SPF with a side of genuine green credentials then this is the one for you and your baby. Not only that but with every tube bought, Green People donate 20p to the Marine Conservation Society.

Now to the suncream itself. It has a gorgeous buttery consistency, which makes it feel like you’re using a regular body lotion on your little one, just with a hefty dose of SPF thrown in. This is thanks to the avocado and olive oil it contains, and because it is so moisturising it’s a great choice for children with drier skins or eczema. It does leave a very slight cast immediately after applying but this did disappear after a few minutes. It’s also scent-free and comes in a smaller size making it perfect for throwing in the nappy bag for a day at the park or keeping in the pram for easy top-ups when you’re out and about.

Best: Eco buy

Rating: 9/10

Not only is this brilliant suncream water-resistant, it also contains very clever Netlock technology that’s unique to the brand. This helps the sun lotion stay in place no matter what you put it through, and we put it through its paces and it kept our little one’s skin protected in sand, chlorine and sweat! The spray is quite “‘excitable” so we recommend spraying it into your hands first and then applying it to your little one rather than spraying it directly onto the skin.

One more thing that’s incredibly important to mention is the amazing eco strides Garnier is taking. It has made a commitment to have zero virgin plastic use by 2025 and this franchise of suntan lotion is the first to be made from 100 per cent recycled materials and is fully recyclable. So it’s nice to know that as you’re getting through bottles of the stuff this summer, your purchase is having less of an impact on the environment.

Best: For on-the-go touch-ups

Rating: 8.5/10 

This genius roll-on SPF glides on super easily and while we wouldn’t use it around the eyes, just in case it got in, you can swipe it up and down arms and legs, over the forehead, up the cheeks, down the nose and across the chin to get plenty on. The formula is water-resistant and ideal for eczema-prone skin as it doesn’t contain anything that will cause flare-ups. You may want to use one of the brand’s bigger-sized bottles for full applications as this roll-on is small. However, it is ideal for touch-ups, small babies and for getting older children actively involved with applying SPF on themselves.