So the number one rule here is to put your health first. There are homemade sun lotion recipes circulating the internet, but personally I wouldn’t try anything experimental without running it past a pharmacist first to check it will actually protect you against sunburn and skin cancer. Anyway, if you live in the UK, how much sun lotion-related waste are you going to produce? I’m guessing not enough to break the planet.

Many people are concerned that the ingredients in conventional sun lotions are harmful. I’m not qualified to comment on that, but the products listed here are made from a small number of recognisable ingredients.

Lush ‘The Sunblock’ Solid Sunscreen Wash

This is packaged in biodegradable cellophane. It can be applied in the shower or directly onto the skin.

It’s certainly a very effective sunblock. I have fair white skin that burns easily, and I wore this for sunbathing in hot sun without a problem. It loses points though, on price – it works out around £3 per full-body application.

Note: it melts in warm temperatures! So store it in a liquid-proof container.

Lush Sunscreen in Recycled Plastic Bottles

Lush do Sesame Suntan Lotion, (SPF 10) which also functions as a bronzer, and Powdered Sunshine (SP15). I haven’t tried either of these, but the powder looks fun.

Sunscreens In Tins

There are several brands of sunscreen available in tins which are popular with zero wasters. It’s not clear that aluminium tins are better for the environment than a plastic bottle (especially recycled plastic) so maybe don’t go out of your way to buy these just for that reason. Having said that, I have found it useful to reuse the tins for travel, and as Shade point out on their website, it is easier to use all up all the product from the bottom of a tin.  These brands also suit people who like their ingredients list simple.

Shade All-Natural Sunscreen is tested to EU standards and contains only 4 ingredients. If you buy directly from the manufacturer they promise to post it in cardboard with biodegradable filling. Their website is also a great resource on sun safety. There’s also All Good Sunscreen Butter which is available at SPF 50. Shea Alchemy Suncream SPF 15 Sun Block is one I’ve used personally, so I can tell you that this is a very effective sunblock, although a bit sticky on application.

Conventional Sun Lotion

If none of the above suits, we won’t judge you if you go for this. Just buy only what you need (beware those 3 for the price of 2 offers) and send the empty bottles to be recycled.