Sun Cream Caution

A recent survey has found that UK adults are confused over the labels on sun creams as manufacturers are not using the same rating system.

17:44 26 June 2015

A recent survey of 2,000 UK adults have found that 20per cent of the population does not know exactly what SPF rating on sun creams means. SPF rating offer protection against UVB rays but not all sun damage. Protection against UVA rays is indicated by a “star” rating.  

 

For this reason, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society urged manufactures to use standard rating system to avoid confusion.  

Prof Jayne Lawrence, chief scientist for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said: "Clearly many consumers do not realise the SPF rating applies only to the amount of protection offered against UVB rays, not UVA rays - both of which can damage the skin and cause skin cancer.

 

"People should not have to pick their way through complicated dual ratings information to understand how sunscreen works and the amount of protection it potentially provides."

 

Based on the survey, only 8per cent of people knew that SPF rating on the product label referred to protection from UVB rays only. Meanwhile, one in four said they did not know what SPF rating stood for at all.