In your experience, what is the best suntan lotion spf 50 available in Thailand, either in shops/supermarkets or online on Lazada or Shopee?

I'm not a huge fan of those spray bottles, to say the least. I much prefer suntan lotion that you squeeze out of the bottle, put on your hand(s) and then apply it to your body.

Would love to hear your thoughts and get some tips.

Thanks!

Decathlon sell one if there's one near you. Bought one, though haven't yet tried it.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer.

Not cheap, but the best I've ever used.

Can be put on your face - won't irritate sensitive skin.

3 hours ago, IsmeUno said:

Decathlon sell one if there's one near you. Bought one, though haven't yet tried it.

I’m in Hua Hin, so no Decathlon nearby. Maybe next time I’m in BKK….

Thanks anyway.

30 minutes ago, rudi49jr said:

I’m in Hua Hin, so no Decathlon nearby. Maybe next time I’m in BKK….

Thanks anyway.

At least you can use their website for comparative purpose: https://www.decathlon.co.th/en-TH/c/accessories/sports-care/sunscreen.html

2 hours ago, VillageIdiot said:

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer.

Not cheap, but the best I've ever used.

Can be put on your face - won't irritate sensitive skin.

https://shopee.co.th/product/31092295/43608129302

Not a bad price, at Watsons Online via Shopee

Hopefully you are already aware of this, but most of the sunblock in this part of the world contains some form of skin whitener, guaranteed to produce a corpse-like pallor.

Buyer beware.

10 hours ago, bendejo said:

Hopefully you are already aware of this, but most of the sunblock in this part of the world contains some form of skin whitener, guaranteed to produce a corpse-like pallor.

Buyer beware.

That's true for local products that advertise "whitening" or "Pheu-kao" qualities on their packaging.

Premium foreign brands are usually safe to use albeit more expensive.

Protection?..........thick T shirt, rice farmers hat and sit in the shade with UV400 sunglasses.

I never "sit out" in the sun, even in the winter months.

22 hours ago, MIke B Bad said:

Protection?..........thick T shirt, rice farmers hat and sit in the shade with UV400 sunglasses.

I never "sit out" in the sun, even in the winter months.

We all thought that was enough before the first diagnosis of skin cancer 🤔

Nivea in blue bottle with a yellow top. Only buy from somewhere like boots or Watson's as anywhere else apart from maybe Tesco/ big c then God knows what you could be buying.

I buy a lot of things on Lazada but anything that's going on my skin or in my mouth like vitamins I only buy from a reputable company online that I know it's not fake . Amount of sellers selling vitamins, protein powder etc online and you know it's fake as it's half the price of the real one .

I like the Biore uv aqua rich SPF 50

Buy it when it's on sale at Lotus, Big C or Watson to make sure you are getting authentic Brand.

Also check the dates on the bottom as the chemicals start to degrade over time.

This one absorbs into the skin and is Not greasy.

Some sunscreens absorb into the skin and some sit on top of the skin.

Lastly check if the sunscreen if you need one that is Coral Friendly or Safe.

I use Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture 1000ml/1L SPF50+. Sometimes available online but I get mine from Australia. Have used it for a few years now...it's great.

Edited August 15Aug 15 by thaiowl

I know this is unhelpful - I usually buy a litre bottle of a reputable brand when in Australia (costs about 450 Baht) and bring back toThailand. Sunscreen is so expensive in Thailand presumably because locals do not use it. They prefer to cover up if worried by the sun.

Best suntan lotion SPF 50 available in Thailand?

The best is don't buy or use SPF 50.

Instead get your sunshine before 10am.

Get all you want, no sunscreen needed

It's relatively safe

Then get into the shade or go indoors the rest of the day.

You'll sleep a lot better at night without afternoon light exposure with adequate morning light exposure.

See?

Quite often in Life the best solution to a problem is not the answer to what is called the False Dilemma fallacy.

It's none of the above.

Thinking outside the box.

Instead of putting chemical goop on your body, try using this stuff…

3 hours ago, novacova said:

Instead of putting chemical goop on your body, try using this stuff…

Don't be a pussy... go whole hog.

7 hours ago, Wuvu2 said:

We all thought that was enough before the first diagnosis of skin cancer 🤔

Yes!! I read a T shirt has SF of only 30!!!

Sitting in the shade I know I still get more UV than I should.

On 8/14/2026 at 3:50 AM, MIke B Bad said:

Protection?..........thick T shirt, rice farmers hat and sit in the shade with UV400 sunglasses.

I never "sit out" in the sun, even in the winter months.

Move back home.

The poon there isn't THAT good.

My sister is a ginger and burns alot. SPF doesn't do it for her, as UV rays still get through (you just don't burn).

She was actually told to wear a mask, cover up her skin when shes out. But the masks really opress breathing and are tight on her nose. Anyone know of any breathable type masks, that cover the face, but also don't squash your skin ?

Are folks aware that certain Sunscreen chemicals have been banned for use in Thailand's national parks? Heavy fines for using the wrong stuff! Rangers are being very watchful in the waters around the most popular tourist areas lately.
Check your sunscreen contents carefully!

These are the banned chemicals:

Oxybenzone	Benzophenone-3, BP-3
Octinoxate	Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate
4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor	4-MBC, Enzacamene
Butylparaben	Butyl parahydroxybenzoate

The restriction began August 4, 2021, and violating it in a national park can result in a fine of up to ฿100,000. Thailand's Department of National Parks was still reminding visitors of the restriction in October 2025, so it remains in effect.
These chemicals kill off the coral, and combined with the latest heat wave, take a heavy toll on the coral reef.

Edited August 16Aug 16 by FolkGuitar

Sunscreen is the biggest damn psy op in the world.

Where you think skin cancer comes from?

You need the light energy from the sun to be healthy.

Wake your damn brain people.

💯0%

Banana Boat - more water resistant than most, but wait for the regular sales at Watson's as it's not cheap.

2 hours ago, Woke to Sounds said:

Where you think skin cancer comes from?

Sun is a double-edged sword and a bit more complicated than sun good or sun bad.

Too little sun is a problem. Sun exposure can lower all-cause mortality, but the risk of melanoma is not negligible.

People get flus in northern climates partly due to lack of sun which weakens the immune system.

Also depends on your diet. Better diet will protect you more from possible sun skin damage. Because sun has chemical reactions with the body. But the sunscreens also contain chemicals which react (negatively) with sun rays. I would avoid sunscreens, except very expensive ones with only natural ingredients and no chemicals or shady stuff you can't pronounce, but haven't tried them.

Maybe best to avoid too much midday sun as UV rays may be too strong here in Thailand? I was going out midday unprotected a bit too much, I think, and taking a risk.

Obviously, always avoid burns. And body adapts slowly to increasing levels of sun.

Many people who get melanoma maybe it's because they come from a northern climate, avoid sun, and then go to a tropical beach vacation and get sunburned every day for 2 weeks. Body needs to acclimate slowly, which can be done if you are living in Thailand.

But maybe only vampires should avoid the sun at all times.

And maybe some folks on here are vampires. You never know who you're talking to on the internet.

Edited August 16Aug 16 by save the frogs

Why not just wear a hat or carry an umbrella like Thais? Do you really want all those chemicals absorbed through your skin. If you’re serious, use what surfers use: zinc oxide.

The worst damage of UV is to the eyes. Wear heavy sunglasses, 100% UVA/UVB blockers.

Not all activities in the sun allow the 'easy' use of hats. We use Anessa 50+ imported from Japan on our faces (and me on back of my neck also), and whatever 50+ is on sale for the rest of our body that might be exposed. Girlfriend generally completely covers up anyways, but she still uses Anessa on her face even with cloth covering.

This stuff is more like a 'milk' than typical sunblock cream. I was very dubious when she used it and had me try it out, as we use for Kitesurfing/wingfoiling and sailing where we are constantly sweating or in and out of the water. I apply morning time immediately after showering, in AC, making sure not to sweat at all for at least 10 minutes after application.

Generally never need to apply again during the day, regardless of how sweaty or many times I go in the water.

It is very expensive, but absolutely worth it. The relatively small 'large size' bottles last for much longer than you think if you are just using it on your face and back of neck. IMHO too expensive to use on full body but you certainly could. Doesn't feel nearly as 'greasy' as other chemical-based sun protection products. It is supposedly approved for use in Thai national parks.

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/pdp-i5068939551-s21408792201.html

If you go to Japan, it is at least 30% cheaper to buy there. We go every winter and stock up for the year.