Storing sunscreen in the bathroom could make it less effective at protecting against deadly skin cancer, a doctor has warned.
Hot steam from showers and baths can cause the cream's protective ingredients to break down, meaning the product could fail to prevent dangerous skin damage, according to specialist Dr Ed Robinson.
This means that millions of people who keep SPF cream in their bathroom cabinets could be at risk of deadly diseases, he added.
“Warm temperatures and direct sunlight reduce the effectiveness of sunscreen and leave your skin unprotected,” said Dr Robinson.
“Using a damaged SPF means you’re not getting the full protection advertised on the bottle. This increases your risk of sunburn, premature aging, and, more seriously, skin cancer. In some cases, the broken down ingredients can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.”
Instead, sunscreens should be stored in cool, dry places and away from sunlight or extreme temperatures.
Dr Robinson, who runs an aesthetic practice in Cheshire, urged citizens to check their cream bottles for signs of active ingredients breaking down.
This includes changes in texture – it may be thinner, grainier or the formula may be split. This means it doesn’t spread evenly and provides “patchy” protection.
A bad smell or darker or yellow color can also indicate that the cream is no longer as effective, the expert said, adding that you should always check the expiration date.
He advised that the product be kept away from car dashboards, glove boxes, window sills and bags exposed to the sun.
With the summer months approaching, applying sunscreen is the best way to avoid skin damage. Experts recommend using at least SPF 30 on warm days.
The most well-known harmful rays from the sun are UVA and UVB.
UVB rays hit the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) and are responsible for most sunburns, while UVA rays penetrate deeper and contribute to aging. Both are ultraviolet and are known to cause skin cancer.
A shocking 90 per cent of skin cancer cases in the UK are a direct result of overexposure to the sun and tanning beds, according to Cancer Research, GazetaExpress reports.
Researchers predicted a record 20,800 cases last year and a seven per cent increase was seen among adults aged 25-49 in Britain.
Meanwhile, those over 80 have seen a 57 percent increase over the past decade.
Despite growing awareness of the disease, 45 percent of people in Britain do not use sunscreen every day, according to an independent survey conducted by YouGov.
Most people also forget parts of their body when applying the cream, risking burns that can lead to skin cancer, studies show.
A 2015 survey found that 58 percent of people forget to protect their “sun terraces” – areas that include the nose, shoulders and heels of their feet.
They also often forget to protect the back of their neck, ears, and the tops of their feet.
Other common areas that are forgotten are: the top of the head, the middle of the back, the fingers/toes, and the eyelids.
This comes as the Skin Cancer Foundation warned that a history of five or more sunburns doubles the risk of melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer. /Express newspaper/
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