Sunscreens

We recommend buying sunscreens with:

• a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 - the higher the factor of sunscreen the better
• “ broad-spectrum” sunscreens with a star rating of four stars or more

Also look out for brands that:

• have not gone past their expiry date - most sunscreens have a shelf life of 2-3 years

• Apply to clean, dry skin.
• Apply plenty of sunscreen and reapply it regularly. Sunscreen can be easily washed, rubbed or sweated off.
• Even sunscreens that claim to be ‘waterproof’ should be reapplied after going in the water.
• Use sunscreen together with shade and clothing to avoiding getting caught out by sunburn.
• Don’t be tempted to spend longer in the sun than you would without sunscreen.
• Do not store sunscreens in very hot places as extreme heat can ruin their protective chemicals.
• Don’t forget to check the expiry date on your sunscreen. Most sunscreens have a shelf life of 2-3 years but ensure your sunscreen has not expired before you use it.

We recommend that people apply a sunscreen with SPF 15 or above – the higher the better. We also recommend using a sunscreen that is ‘broad spectrum’, meaning that it offers protection against UVA and UVB.

An SPF15 sunscreen filters out 93% of UVB radiation, while an SPF30 sunscreen filters out 96%. 

No sunscreen, no matter how high the factor, can provide 100% protection. And no sunscreen, whether it’s factor 15 or 50, will provide the protection it claims unless it is applied properly. Therefore, it is crucial that you apply sunscreen generously and regularly.

Research has shown that people apply much less sunscreen than they need to. At the amounts that most people use, they’re only getting about as much protection as an SPF3 sunscreen, even if they have bought an SPF80 bottle. 

And, worryingly, many people burn more frequently when they use higher factors of sunscreen because they stay out in the sun for longer. There is a concern that higher factor sunscreens may lure people into a false sense of security.

Broad spectrum sunscreens block out UVA rays as well as UVB - these rays can also lead to skin cancer. In the UK we measure UVA protection with the 'star' system. Sunscreens can have anywhere from 0 to 5 stars. The number of stars is not an absolute measure and depends on how much UVB protection the sunscreen offers. For example, an SPF 25 with 3 stars may screen out more UVA overall than an SPF 10 with 4 stars.

Sunscreen only works if you use enough. No sunscreen, whether it’s factor 15 or 50, will give the protection it claims unless you apply it properly. When your risk of burning is high, ensure that all exposed skin is thoroughly covered in sunscreen. As a guide, for an average person, this means

• around two teaspoonfuls of sunscreen if you're just covering your head, arms and neck.
• around two tablespoonfuls if you're covering your entire body, while wearing a swimming costume.

It is important to remember that no sunscreen gives 100% protection against UV rays.

Cancer Research UK does not endorse any specific brand of sunscreens. All sunscreens use the same method to determine how protective they are.

This means that brand and price are less important than things like the SPF and star ratings, which tell you how much protection they offer.

When it comes to sunscreens, the word “organic” does not have the same meaning that it does when used on food. It does not mean that a sunscreen is “natural” or contains fewer chemicals.

“Organic” is a technical term used in chemistry to describe molecules that contain carbon atoms. So the active ingredients in “organic sunscreens” contain carbon-based molecules, while the active ingredients in “inorganic sunscreens” do not - they are molecules like titanium dioxide.

Both types can help to prevent sunburn if used correctly - they just work in different ways.

• Organic sunscreens, also known as chemical sunscreens, work by absorbing ultraviolet rays from the sun.
• Inorganic sunscreens, also known as physical sunscreens or sunblocks, work by reflecting those rays.

Most available brands are now a mix of both types.

Both types of sunscreen can help to protect you from sunburn. The truth is that how you use sunscreen will have a far greater impact on reducing your risk of skin cancer than the type or brand that you pick.

Some sunscreens claim to provide effective protection after just one application. But we know that reapplying sunscreens regularly is very important because you are more likely to get even coverage and avoid missing bits that may then get burnt.

SunSmart is not able to provide free sunscreen samples as we only have a limited budget to run the campaign. We are unaware of organisations offering free samples.