Asda sun cream shines in protection trials

14:36 21 May 2009

Asda's own brand sun cream, which costs just 3, offers better protection against the sun's rays compared to the leading brands.

A survey conducted by Which? magazine tested 14 of the best-selling sun creams, which claimed to offer a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15.

It found that only five of them met its standards.

Asda's Sun System Protection Lotion was the top dog offering SPF 15 but actually providing SPF 24.

Which? said four sunscreens, including products sold by Marks and Spencer and Tesco - all marked as offering an SPF of 15 - did not meet their UVB protection requirement.

Martyn Hocking Editor of Which? magazine said: "This situation needs to be sorted out urgently. Consumers need to have confidence the label on their sunscreen is a good guide to the protection they'll get."

Bad tanners When fake tan looks truly awful.

Others offenders providing less protection than the label claims include Wilkinson's Wilko Suncare Moisturising Sun Lotion with a score of SPF 9.8, while Malibu Protective Sun Lotion Spray came in at SPF 12.1.

Garnier Ambre Solaire Moisturising Protection Milk, L'Oreal Solar Expertise Advanced Protection Lotion, Sainsbury's Sun Protection Lotion, Avon Bronze Sun Spray Lotion and Piz Buin In Sun Lotion, all came in under what they claimed.

Those which met or got close to the promised protection include Soltan from Boots, Solait, Nivea Sun and Hawaiian Tropic.