A popular sunscreen may not work, leaving consumers' skin vulnerable to skin cancer, according to a new report.
British consumer protection organization Which? tested 15 sunscreen products from brands such as Boots, Garnier and Nivea, as well as other cheaper alternatives. The results were surprising.
While a product costing just £2.99 from a supermarket successfully passed rigorous safety tests, another popular product costing £28 failed to meet industry standards.
This means that users of this cream may not be as protected as they think from the sun's UV rays - putting them at increased risk of developing skin cancer.
The cream in question is Ultrasun Family SPF30, a product sold in many large stores and promoted as "perfect for the whole family", especially for children with sensitive skin.
But this cream failed two separate tests that measured sun protection factor (SPF) and UV protection.
In the first test, scientists applied a small amount of the cream to the backs of volunteers and then exposed them to a lamp that simulated sunlight. They then measured the time it took for the skin to turn red.
In the next test, they spread the cream on a glass plate to measure the amount of UV rays that were absorbed.
For a product to pass the test, it had to provide at least one-third of the declared SPF level of protection.
If the product failed the test on the first try, the test was repeated. If it passed the second time, a third test was conducted. But any product that failed twice in total was classified as a “Don’t Buy.”
Which? spokeswoman Natalie Hitchins warned that consumers should be wary of products that do not guarantee the protection promised.
“It is concerning that some popular sunscreens may be putting families at risk by not providing the claimed level of sun protection,” she said. “Our results show that you don’t have to spend a lot to be safe in the sun.”
The Ultrasun company defended itself by saying it is completely confident in its testing methods, which, according to them, exceed industry standards.
They stated: “Our independent, peer-reviewed testing shows that our product achieves a true SPF of 31.4 and UVA protection of 13.1, which translates to 92% UVA absorption.”
Another product that ended up on the “Don’t Buy” list was Morrisons Moisturising Sun Spray SPF30, which costs £3.75. The company said it was reviewing the data and working with suppliers for further testing.
Products that passed the test include:
Lacura Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF50+ from Aldi – just £2.99 (winner of Which?’s “Excellent Value” award)
Cien Sun Spray SPF30 from Lidl – £3.79
Soltan Protect & Moisturise by Boots – £5.50
Nivea Sun Protect and Moisture SPF30 – £7.90
Sainsbury's Sun Protect Moisturizing Lotion SPF30 – £5.50
The report comes days after Kelsey Parker, 34, faced harsh criticism after admitting she didn't put sunscreen on her children.
On the Mum's The Word podcast, she said:
"My kids don't burn and I believe sunscreen causes cancer."
She said she only uses homemade organic creams with beeswax.
Listeners criticized him for spreading dangerous information, calling the statement "irresponsible and harmful."
Medical experts say there is no evidence that sunscreen causes cancer.
Dr Bav Shergill, a dermatologist at Queen Victoria Hospital in London, stated:
"Creams are the safest and most effective way to protect the skin from burns and sun damage."
The creams contain mineral and chemical UV filters.
Mineral filters create a physical barrier that reflects UV rays, while chemical ones absorb the rays and convert them into heat.
However, some animal studies have suggested that chemical filters in very high doses can affect hormones – but this has not been proven in humans.
Avoiding sunscreen, meanwhile, has been shown to increase the risk of skin cancer. Around 15,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with melanoma – a dangerous form of skin cancer – every year.
According to Cancer Research UK, 87% of melanoma cases are avoidable, as they are caused by exposure to UV rays, from the sun or tanning beds.
According to the NHS, people should use sunscreen with at least SPF30 and avoid the sun between 11am and 00pm during the months of March to November. /GazetaExpress/
edition
t7 live
