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Surprising results: Which sun creams work and which should be avoided?
Consumer group Which? has revealed that some top sun creams may not work as efficiently as they claim.
16:34 16 May 2014
Consumer group Which? has tested the effectiveness some of the best known brands in Britain and you may be surprised to know that some of them have failed basic tests.
According to the results of the independent review company's tests, some top products such as Piz Buin, Malibu, and Hawaiian Tropic sun creams provided protection significantly lower than the levels they claimed.
Each cream registered a lower than Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 25 despite claims of SPF 30.
Sun creams are designed to offer protection against UVA and UVB – the two types of ultraviolet radiation. Based on European Union recommendations, sun creams should offer UVA protection factor that is a third of their SPF value. Among the sun creams that were tested, Malibu Protection Lotion was the only sun cream that failed the UVA protection test with a UVA protection factor below 10.
The study also revealed that buying expensive sun cream doesn’t mean getting the most protection. Calypso Sun Lotion (250ml) which sells for £1.20 per 100ml - passed both British Standard tests.
Meanwhile, Piz Buin Ultra Light Dry Touch Sun Fluid – the most expensive product tested at £11.30 per 100ml - did not pass the SPF test.
Richard Lloyd, executive director at Which? Said: "With thousands of cases of skin cancer diagnosed every year, it's vital you can trust a sun cream to provide the protection it claims.
"We've found three products that failed the strict British Standard tests and we want to see manufacturers doing much more to make sure their sun creams live up to the claims on the packaging.”
The brands that passed both tests for SPF and UVA protection:
- Aldi Lacura Suncare Moisturising Sun Lotion
- Asda Protect Sun Lotion
- Avon Sun Clear Spray
- Boots Soltan Dry Touch Suncare Lotion
- Calypso Sun Lotion
- Garnier Ambre Solaire Dry Mist
- Garnier Ambre Solaire Moisturising Milk
- M&S Formula Sun Care Lotion
- Morrisons Protect & Nourish Sun Lotion
- Nivea Sun Moisturising Sun Lotion
- Sainsbury’s Sun Protect Lotion
- Superdrug Solait Moisturising Sun Lotion
The brands that failed at least one of the tests:
- Hawaiian Tropic Satin Protection Ultra Radiance Sun Lotion
- Malibu Protective Lotion
- Piz Buin Ultra Light Dry Touch Sun Fluid