I put three new SPF sticks to the test for the summer – one option smells great and will get your whole family hooked

The Sun

21-06-2025

CALL me a hypocrite. I hate SPF. I use it, of course religiously, but the residue left behind gives me the ick.
Thankfully, there's whole a new breed of SPF sticks hitting shelves. I put three to the test.
4
Budget
Soltan Active 8 Hour Protect Suncare Stick SPF50+, £7 for 25g, boots
On the outside, this stick looks to be the smallest of the three – but it actually has the most product inside.
It's super-compact, making it great for popping into my handbag.
The stick is quite hard, so it drags on skin, which slows down application and a few dandruff-like pieces flaked off, which meant I then needed to rub it in with my hands.
This defeats the point somewhat, although it ensures you don't end up with stripes should you miss a section.
It's great value, but not the most sophisticated.
Mid-range
Tocobo Cica Cooling Sun Stick SPF50+ PA++++, £16 for 18g, boots
This is the latest stick to enter my stash, and it's gone straight into my handbag – it truly feels invisible on skin.
Initially, the shape isn't great as it dips in the middle so you don't get even coverage, but after a couple of swipes the stick levels off.
It promises to reduce skin temperature in just three seconds, and while I've not noticed the cooling effect promised, I'm convinced that the calming cica ingredient has helped take the sting out of a recent insect bite.
I usually cannot stop itching them, and I didn't feel the need to at all while the SPF was on.
Luxury
Clarins Invisible Sun Care Stick SPF 50, £25 for 17g, Boots
I first used this a couple of years ago, and in the time since I've got my whole family hooked.
The stick is a transparent, orange hue so it doesn't leave any white cast behind, and you can see where you're applying it as it's shiny at first (although quickly absorbs into skin, so don't worry about it being sticky).
It smells great, so you can skip wearing perfume over it as it reduces the effectiveness.
It's still suitable for sensitive skin; mine is acne -prone and my mum has eczema, yet we're huge fans.