WE all know the drill, sun cream stops you burning and reduces your risk of skin cancer – win, win.
But, charities have warned that cases of the most deadly form – melanoma – are on the rise, with 16,700 new cases each year.
Experts warn lots of common misconceptions about sunscreen could be to blame.
Dr Charareh Pourzand from Bath University warns Brits must get in the habit of wearing sun cream at home as well as abroad.
And she adds, it’s not just necessary when you’re lounging on a beach, or in the garden.
“Just ten minutes of driving without any protection can have a damaging effect,” she tells Sun Health.
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She recommends SPF50+ for lighter skin tones and an absolute minimum of SPF30 for those with darker skin tones.
And always check sun cream is at least four out of five stars UVA protection, or has a circle around UVA on the packaging to show it meets EU standards.
According to skin doctor and cosmetic formulator at SkincarebyDrV, Dr Vanita Rattan, we tend to hear more about UVB rays because they lead to the skin burning.
“But actually, UVA rays are even more dangerous than UVB rays,” she said, because they “penetrate the skin deeper, lead to cancer, damage the DNA and lead to premature ageing”.
Another common mistake when it comes to sun cream application is simply not wearing enough.
Most people only put a quarter of the amount they should, Dr Pourzand says, diluting the protection they get from it.
The NHS advises adults aim to use about six to eight teaspoons to cover their entire body.
Make sure you reapply every two hours, and always after you’ve been in water, whether it claims to be water resistant or not.
Putting a blob of sun cream on the back of your hand and then dotting onto your face – rather than rubbing it between your fingers – will ensure you’re not wasting product and you’re getting an even coat, Dr Rattan said.
Watch out for commonly missed areas like your ears, neck, feet and backs of hands on both you, and your kids.
And take extra care with your children, covering their skin with suitable clothing and keeping them in the shade from 11am to 3pm, and keep babies under six months out of direct sunlight completely.
You might think burning is the only thing you need to be wary of. But according to Dr Pourzand, “if skin is tanned, it means that it is damaged”.
Meanwhile, Dr Rattan stresses that people of colour need sun cream just as much as those with lighter skin, as they have the added risk of developing hyperpigmentation.
This is when patches of skin darken as a result of sun damage, but it can also be caused by acne and scarring or hormonal changes.
What sun cream should I choose?
Dr Pourzand is pretty undiscriminating when it comes to picking products.
“If you go to any shelf or the supermarket and you find some cream, which has a high SPF and also a UVA four star, then you know that means that this has fulfilled the regulations.
“And for me that’s safe enough to be used.”
But you do have some choice in the matter, as you can either go for a mineral or chemical sunscreen. Mineral ones will either contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
Dr Rattan recommends mineral sun cream if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding because they don’t enter the bloodstream.
Zinc oxide in particular is good for eczema and sensitive skin, as it’s anti-inflammatory, she says, adding that she also opts for mineral ones for her children.
You can cut costs by using the same sunscreen for your face and body, the doctor adds. If the oilier finish bothers you, she suggests dabbing on some translucent powder in your shiny spots.
If you have acne-prone dry skin, Dr Rattan suggests opting for a mineral sunscreen, but you might want to get a chemical matte one if you’re on the oiler side.
Here, we picked out a selection of sun creams that won’t break the bank…
- Soltan Protect & Moisturise SPF50+ at Boots for £3.89
- NIVEA Sun UV Face Sun Cream SPF50 at Sainsburys, Boots for £8.00
- Lacura Sensitive Lotion SPF 50+ at Aldi for £2.99
- Piz Buin Allergy Sun Sensitive Skin Lotion SPF 30 High at Superdrug, Boots, Tesco, B&M for £7.99
- Solait Sun Cream SPF30 at Superdrug for £5.99
- Soleil Moisturising Sun Protection Spray SPF 50 at Tesco for £3.60
