Best Sun Cream Manufacturers in the UK (A Guide for brand )

When I talk to brand owners in the US, UK, EU, and Australia, they don't often ask, "Can the UK make sunscreen?" They ask a question that makes more sense:

Which UK sun cream companies are the best fit for my compliance needs, target texture, minimum order quantity, lead time, and price point?

This guide is written the way I would want to read it if I were looking for a UK sunscreen manufacturer: it lists their strengths in manufacturing, what they can make (formats and claims), what services they offer (R&D, packaging, testing, documentation), and what types of brands they are best for.

UK sun cream contract manufacturing: where the market is going

There are two things that are shaping the outsourcing of UK sun care right now:

1. The market is growing quickly. One estimate says that the UK sun care cosmetics market will be worth about USD 527.3M in 2024, and it will keep growing until 2033.
2. Proof and compliance are more important than ever. SPF and UVA claims must be backed up by well-known test methods, such as ISO 24444 for SPF and ISO 24443 for UVA protection .

What I'm seeing this do to OEM demand:

• More requests for "daily wearable SPF": lighter textures, no greasy feel, no white cast, and placement for sensitive skin.
• More requests for documentation up front, such as test plans, compatibility, stability approach, and claim substantiation alignment.
• More brands are asking manufacturers to help them make a compliance-ready dossier instead of just filling tubes.

Basic rules for UK compliance Before I make a list of manufacturers, I check.

If you want to sell in Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales), you'll usually need:

• A "Responsible Person" and legal duties under the UK's cosmetics enforcement framework.
• Product notification through the UK service called "Submit cosmetic product notifications (SCPN)."
• SPF/UVA testing that follows accepted standards, such as ISO 24444 and ISO 24443.

(Manufacturers won't replace your legal Responsible Person, but the best partners will help you get ready the technical pack, testing plan, and label inputs.)

How I quickly and reliably narrow down UK sun cream makers

1) Choose your SPF "type" first

• Classic UV filters (chemical / organic filters): These are the best for daily SPF that looks good.
• Mineral filters (zinc/titanium): best for sensitive positioning, but harder to make look nice (the project becomes white cast control).

2) Choose the format of your hero

Most OEM briefs fit into:

• Face SPF fluid/cream (for everyday use)
• Lotion or cream for the body
• Spray / mist (harder to do well because of testing and packaging issues)
• Stick
• "After-sun" (often faster and easier as a supporting SKU)

3) Before you ask for prices, ask these 10 questions:

1. Do you make SPF in-house or with the help of partner labs?
2. What SPF/UVA test methods do you support, and which labs do you work with?
3. What is your minimum order quantity (MOQ) for each SKU and packaging part?
4. Can you make a custom formula, or do you only make semi-custom bases?
5. When will you go from lab sample to stability to final batch?
6. How do you make sure that the packaging works with the UV filters?
7. What standards or certifications do you follow, like ISO 22716 for cosmetics?
8. What markets have you worked with before (the UK, EU, and US all have different rules)?
9. Can you back up "water resistant" or "reef-conscious" positioning when it's appropriate?
10. Who owns the IP or formula?

The best sun cream manufacturer (OEM/private label shortlist)

Here are some UK-based manufacturers that clearly focus on suncare or sunscreen, or that clearly support sun protection in their manufacturing.

1. THG LABS (UK)

They openly say they are a UK partner for "private label skincare + suncare" and write technical articles about how to make sunscreen and follow the rules (which is usually a good sign of real ability).

What they can make (typical suncare scope):

• Development of sun protection and sunless tanning (they have a special position for this type of development).

**Things that service brands care about:

• A full-service private label path that goes from research and development to packaging and delivery.
• They also say that their UK factory is registered with the US FDA to make over-the-counter (OTC) sunscreen drug products for the US market, which is helpful if you sell in the US.

Best for:

• Brands that need a more technical partner and may need help with sunscreen compliance in more than one market.

2. Orean (UK)

Why I put them on my short list: They are clear about being a "UK & US-based private label formulator/manufacturer" and offer "formulation + packaging solutions" from start to finish.

What they can make:

• A wide range of personal care products; marketed as a private label manufacturer with lab-to-launch style support. ([Orean Personal Care][9])

Things you should check in your SPF brief:

• SPF-specific testing partners, claim support, and a workflow for packaging that works with high-SPF emulsions.

Best for:

• Brands that want to be seen as high-end, get a lot of help with development, and work with a partner who is comfortable with global launches.

3. Herrco Cosmetics (UK)

Why I put them on my short list: They have strong published signals on capacity + standards, such as their GMP/ISO positioning and their ability to mix in large batches (which is helpful when SPF demand spikes seasonally).

What they can make:

• They have a wide range of options for beauty and personal care manufacturing, including large vessels.
  What people who buy services usually need:
• Their published quality approach includes stability and compatibility testing during formulation.

Best for:

• Brands that want to grow (in retail, mass/masstige) and want a manufacturer that is honest about how much they can make and how good their quality systems are.

4. Inline Health & Beauty (UK)

Why I put them on my list: They clearly say they are a "private label sunscreen manufacturer" with a lot of experience in suncare, and they also say their suncare is made in the UK.

What they can make:

• They can clearly protect you from the sun and help you tan without the sun.

Important services:

• They take an end-to-end approach, which means they handle everything from product development to manufacturing to fulfillment.

**Best for:

• Value-to-mid brands, retailers, and distributors that want "British-made suncare" and a simple private label process.

5. Linco Care (UK)

Why I put them on my short list: They say right on their website that they are a UK-based "sun and skincare manufacturer since 1979," and they also offer custom private label service around the world. ([Linco Care][16])

What they can make:

• Categories for sun and skin care (you'll want to double-check the exact formats, SPFs, and filter systems that they support).

**Things to ask about:

• Custom formula vs. standard bases, where they get their packaging, and what certifications and testing routes they usually use.

Best for:

• Brands that want a UK-based sun-focused manufacturer with a long history in the category.

6.Cosmetics Lab (UK)

Why I put them on my list: They have a whole page for "Sunless Tanning and Sun Creams" and say that they can bring sun care ideas to life with a focus on safety and compliance.

What they can make:

• Sun creams and ideas for tanning (good for brands that want to make a line of suncare and tanning products).

**Things to ask for:

• Their testing stages approach (ask them exactly which SPF/UVA methods and labs they use and what paperwork you get).

Best for:

• Indie brands and smaller labels that want to sell sun care and tanning products in the UK all in one place.

7) Xiran Skin Care

Even though we don't have an office in the UK, I'm including Xiran Skin Care in this guide because a lot of UK and EU brands choose to work with us on custom sun care development, especially when they need more flexible R&D or support in more than one market.

What they can make:

• Creams and lotions with SPF
• Sun care products with mineral and hybrid UV filters
• Formats for sun protection and after-sun care for the body

Profile of Manufacturing:

• Help with OEM and ODM development
• Finding custom packaging
• Coordination of stability testing
• Help with paperwork for regulated markets

Best for:

• Brands that want to hire someone else to make sun care products
• Businesses looking at manufacturing options in the UK and outside of it
• Private label companies making lines of sun protection products

Final Summary: How to Pick the Best Sun Cream Maker in the UK

Many first-time brand owners don't realize that the UK sun cream market is more mature and technically demanding than they thought.

Choosing the right UK sunscreen manufacturer isn't just about the price per unit anymore. There are stricter compliance frameworks, ISO-backed SPF/UVA testing standards, and customers are expecting more from the texture and wearability of the product.

From what I've seen when looking at UK suncare contract manufacturers, the choice usually comes down to five things:

1. Testing Capability—Can they use SPF/UVA methods that are widely accepted?
2. Formulation Flexibility—Are you getting real development or a modified stock base?
3. Compatibility with Packaging—This is especially important for emulsions with a high SPF.
4. MOQ & Scalability—Can they grow with you?
5. Support for documentation and compliance—Do they know what the UK expects from businesses?

If "Made in UK" is an important part of a brand's identity, it may be best for them to work with well-known UK-based manufacturers like THG Labs, Orean, or Inline Health & Beauty.

Some people might want to work with an international OEM partner like Xiran Skin Care so they can have more freedom in how they make their products or so they can sell them in more than one market.

The UK sun care market is still growing, and as more people want daily SPF skincare, mineral formulations, and high-end sun protection products, picking the right manufacturing partner is one of the smartest things a brand can do.

If you do it right, getting your sun cream from the right sun cream manufacturers in the UK or a trusted partner who works with UK brands can give you a long-term competitive edge instead of just a production choice.