UV index

When you know your skin type you can work out your burn risk and when to protect yourself.

Check the UV Index for the day on the Met Office website. You can then see how risky this is for you on our burn risk table.

UV burn risk table

Sun chart

  • Low risk - no protection is needed.
  • Medium risk - take care around midday and do not spend too long in the sun unprotected.
  • High risk - cover up and spend time in the shade between 11 and 3. Use least factor 15 sunscreen on exposed skin.
  • Very high risk - be sure to cover up and in the shade between 11 and 3. And use at least factor 15 sunscreen.