The weather is starting to warm up, and the sun is finally making more of an appearance, which can only mean one thing: summer is just around the corner. It’s that time of year when I start reassessing my skincare shelf, thinking about what will actually hold up in the heat – whether that’s for a sun-soaked holiday abroad or simply making the most of the UK sunshine. And if there’s one non-negotiable in any routine, it’s SPF. Not just for beach days either. Speaking previously to Express.co.uk, cosmetic doctor and dermatologist Dr Ewoma Ukeleghe said: “SPF of at least 30 should be worn throughout the day and reapplied every two to four hours”.

But if you’re staring at your current skincare lineup and wondering where to even begin, Boots’ latest skincare beauty box might just take the guesswork out of it. The SPF and Skin box is the newest addition to Boots’ ever-growing lineup of seasonal beauty edits, all wrapped up in a beautifully bright, summer-ready box. And while the packaging definitely pulls you in, it’s what’s inside that really matters.

Shoppers will get 16 summer-ready skincare products designed to care for your skin from head to toe for £45. According to Boots, the total value of everything inside comes to a huge £212.79 if bought separately. That works out to be a mammoth saving of £261.79.

If that alone doesn’t catch your attention, the brand lineup probably will. Inside, you’ll find names like Rituals, Ole Henriksen, Skin + Me, Beauty of Joseon and Shiseido.

As it’s only just launched, there aren’t any customer reviews yet. So I decided to dive straight in and see what it’s actually like: what you get, how the products feel, and whether it really delivers on the value for money it promises.

On first glance, the Boots SPF and Skin box absolutely screams summer. It comes in a yellow and white striped design that instantly reminded me of a beach towel, finished with bright blue lettering that reads “Here Comes the Sun.” It feels cheerful before you’ve even opened it, and thankfully, what’s inside lives up to that first impression. One thing I really appreciated straight away was the mix of full-size and travel-size items. It feels practical. You’re getting solid value, along with smaller, handy sizes that will slip easily into hand luggage if you’re battling airline limits or liquid restrictions.

Nine of the items are full-size, which is genuinely impressive when you consider that some competing beauty boxes include as few as three or four. For example, Next’s Luxe Beauty Box only includes four full-size products, so this definitely feels more generous in comparison.

The remaining products are travel-sized, which actually works well given the topic of the box.

As you’d expect from the name, SPF is a major focus here, with six products dedicated to sun protection. What I like is that they don’t feel limited to holiday use. You can easily build them into your everyday routine.

First up is the Round Lab Birch Juice Sunscreen with SPF 50+. If you haven’t come across Round Lab before, they’re one of the many Korean skincare brands that seem to be everywhere right now, especially across social media. This is a broad-spectrum sunscreen, but what stood out to me was how lightweight it felt. It’s much closer to a moisturiser than the thicker, heavier suncreams I’ve used before. It didn’t leave a sticky residue or that dreaded white cast either. As someone whose skin has recently become more sensitive, I’m always cautious with SPF, but so far this one hasn’t caused any breakouts, which already makes it a strong contender in my routine. At £21 on its own, it’s nearly half the price of the entire box before you’ve even touched the rest.

Then there’s the Shiseido Expert Sun Protector Lotion SPF50 (50ml), which immediately caught my eye thanks to its rounded, bright blue packaging. Even though it’s full-size, it’s surprisingly compact and would fit neatly into a handbag or beach bag without the usual bulk. Like the Round Lab sunscreen, it’s lightweight and absorbs quickly, and I found it layers really nicely under makeup. The brand also says it’s waterproof, which is a real bonus if you’re heading somewhere hot.

You also get a full-size Skin + Me Daily Moisturiser with SPF 50, designed for dry to normal skin. This is another brand I’ve seen everywhere online, so I was genuinely excited to try it. They focus on dermatologist-led formulations tailored to specific skin goals, which definitely adds to the appeal. It’s vegan and cruelty-free (always a plus for me). It left my skin feeling hydrated and sat well under makeup, which makes it a very easy everyday option.

One product I found myself wishing I had more of is the Lancaster Sun Perfect Unifying Serum. The sample is small, but it’s perfect for trying before committing to the full-size version, which costs around £38. It’s a lightweight, milky serum with niacinamide and vitamin C, aimed at helping with dark spots and boosting radiance, while also including SPF for added daily protection. But at 5ml, you really only get a couple of uses, which is my only real complaint here.

The final SPF products are both travel-sized: the Elemis Pro-Collagen Skin Protection Fluid SPF 50+ and the Rituals Sun Protection Milky Spray SPF30. The Elemis is designed for the face, while the Rituals spray is better suited for body use due to its scent. I actually really liked the Rituals one, you can keep in your bag for quick top-ups throughout the day, and it smells gorgeous.

Moving away from SPF, another standout is the Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream, which comes in a full-size tub. This brand has been everywhere thanks to the “glass skin” trend, and this cream is packed with ingredients like rice bran water, ginseng root water, squalene and niacinamide. While I can’t say it gave me glass skin overnight, it does feel soothing and has slotted nicely into my daily routine.

To round out the basics of a good skincare routine, the box also includes an eye cream from Lumene Nordic-C, the Ole Henriksen Daily D-Clog Pore-Clearing Salicylic Acid Cleanser, and a Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser.

For a final touch, there are the First Aid Beauty Bronze and Glow Drops. I was really curious about these, mainly because I’ve seen so many people using bronzing drops for that softer, more natural summer makeup look, but I’d never tried them myself. You can wear them alone, mix them into moisturiser, or layer them under makeup, depending on how much glow you want. I can already see myself mixing them into moisturiser on holiday for that subtle, sun-kissed finish on minimal makeup days.

And it’s not just your face that’s covered, there’s also a body cream from Bloom & Blossom, with a scent blend of mandarin, ylang ylang, amber and musk. The brand says it’s suitable for sensitive skin, though if you’re wary of fragrance, it’s probably worth doing a patch test first.

Having tried my fair share of beauty boxes, this one genuinely stands out. It feels thoughtfully put together, with products that are actually usable rather than just nice to look at. The mix is versatile enough that most people could find something they love, and it does a solid job of getting your skincare ready for summer in one go. It would also make a great gift with no wrapping required.

But ultimately, it’s the value for money that really sells it for me: six full-size products, big-name brands, and that £261.79 saving.