A supermarket sun cream costing just £3 a bottle has been declared one of the best and safest buys in the latest round of lotion lab tests.

Consumer group Which? has named the sunscreen by Asda as one of its strongest performers in its annual safety survey, the results of which have just been released.

Found to be both ‘great value’ and offering ‘impressive protection’ scientists said the product was a reliable option for cost-conscious holidaymakers this summer.

Which? tested 19 popular sun creams in this year’s review.

Alongside identifying the best performers, testers also raised concerns about Avon’s Refreshing 3-in-1 Face and Body Sun Lotion SPF30 (£5.75/150ml) which, Which? says, did not hit its claimed SPF30 protection in the bottles that scientists tested.

A company spokesman said: “The safety of our customers is our priority and that’s why our expert skincare team produces the most effective sun care formulas. Upon hearing from Which? Avon has engaged its Quality and Research and Development teams to investigate the specific batch of product that Which? tested. Avon stands behind its data and that of the independent labs which conduct our testing.”

With parts of Britain having already been in the grip of an early June heatwave, it remains vital, say scientists, that people are protecting themselves from harmful UVA and UVB rays that could lead to skin damage and cause skin cancer.

Which? says 2023’s results also prove that products with good protection do not have to break the bank.

Several of Asda’s sun lotions passed protection tests and earned a Which? Great Value badge for their low prices. Leading the way was the retailer’s Protect Moisturising Sun Lotion SPF30 £3/200ml which has all the UVA and UVB sun protection claimed and is great value at £3 for 200ml.

Panelists also told Which? it is absorbed easily without being greasy or sticky and does not leave white marks on skin.

Among slightly more expensive spray products, Which? testers also found Asda’s Protect Refreshing Clear Sun Spray £4/200ml easy to apply, not tacky to touch and did not leave any visible residue. That too, gave the required SPF and UVA protection in tests.

Asda, says Which?, also outshone premium product Ultrasun Family SPF30 costing £22, as although both are highly effective against UV, Ultrasun wasn’t as easily absorbed and left more of a visible residue.

Boots too fared well in testing and earned a Which? Great Value badge for its Soltan Protect & Moisturise Lotion, SPF30 £4/200ml, comfortably meeting the required SPF standard when filtering UVB rays and when defending skin against penetrating UVA.

For the SPF50+ kids’ sunscreens category it was Asda again that did well with its Kids Sun Lotion Spray, priced at £3.60 while Boots Soltan Kids Protect & Moisturise Lotion, at £4, was declared another good value option.

Natalie Hitchins, head of home and product services, said: “It is great to see cheaper sunscreen options available on the high street and in supermarkets at a time where consumers need affordable options.

“Our advice is to stick to a tried and tested sun cream. Do not be fooled into thinking that paying a higher price will definitely mean a better or safer product as our testing proved a supermarket own brand product can do the job well.

“We’ve found plenty of highly effective, cheap sunscreens available on the high street, so there’s no need to splash out to keep you and your loved ones safe in the sun.”

The full list of sun scream passes:

SPF30 Passes:

Asda Protect Moisturising Sun Lotion SPF30, £3/200ml

Asda Protect Refreshing Clear Sun Spray SPF30, £4/200ml

Avon Sun Body Cream SPF30, £5/150ml

Boots Soltan Protect & Moisturise Lotion, SPF30, £4/200ml

Boots Soltan Protect & Moisturise Spray SPF30, £4.50/200ml

Calypso Press & Protect Sun Lotion SPF30, £5/200ml

Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture SPF30 lotion, £6/200ml

Piz Buin Allergy Sun Sensitive Skin Lotion SPF30, £8/200ml

Superdrug Solait Moisturising Sun Cream Lotion SPF30, £4.99/200ml

Superdrug Solait Moisturising Sun Cream Spray SPF30 High, £5.49/200ml

Ultrasun Family SPF30, £22/200ml

SPF50+ passes:

Asda Kids Sun Lotion Spray SPF 50+ High, £4/200ml

Boots Soltan Kids Protect & Moisturise Lotion, SPF50+, £4/200ml

Childs Farm 50+ SPF Sun Lotion Spray, £12/100ml

Childs Farm SPF50+ Kids Roll-on Sun Lotion, £10/50ml

Nivea Sun Kids Protect & Care SPF50+ Spray, £6.50/200ml

Sainsbury’s Sun Protect By Sainsburys Kids Lotion Sun Spray SPF50+, £5.00/200ml

Superdrug Solait Kids SPF 50+ Roll-on Sun Lotion, £3.49/100ml