Choosing a sunscreen
How do I choose a sunscreen?
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Sunscreens have changed a lot in the past 15 years. There is a huge range and it can be difficult to know what to buy. Sunscreens are available as creams, gels, lotions and sprays.
We try to keep our advice on this simple. Check that the sunscreen you buy protects against both UVA and UVB radiation from the sun. This may be labeled broad spectrum. Choose the right sun protection factor (SPF) – the higher the factor, the greater the protection.
It is recommended not to use sunscreen more than 12 to 18 months after opening. So it is okay to use last year's, but not a bottle from 5 years ago. But it must have been stored in a cool place during that time. If it has been kept on your car dashboard or on a sunny windowsill for a year then it is not going to be any good.
Ultraviolet radiation is light from the sun that we cannot see. It is divided into UVA, UVB and UVC. Broad spectrum sunscreens contain both UVA and UVB protection. UVC cannot get through the ozone layer to reach us so it isn't necessary for sunscreens to protect against these rays.
UVB radiation can cause sunburn and is associated with the development of skin cancer. Until recently, UVA was thought to be relatively harmless, although largely responsible for skin ageing. But there is increasing evidence suggesting that UVA can damage the genetic material in skin cells – the DNA – and may also help to cause cancer. The intensity of ultraviolet radiation varies depending on the time of day, time of year and which country you are in. This is because these factors are affected by the position of the sun in relation to the earth.
There is no international measurement of UVA protection. A method called the star system is used here in the UK to measure UVA protection. There are 0 to 5 stars. The higher the number of stars, the more balanced is the protection against UVA We recommend you use a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher, with at least 4 stars to provide good balanced protection across the UV spectrum.
National guidance recommends using sunscreens with a minimum SPF of 15. No sunscreen, no matter how high the factor, can provide 100% protection. And no sunscreen, whatever the SPF, whether it is 15 or 50, will provide the protection it claims unless it is applied thickly enough.
So don't just rely on sunscreen to protect your skin from burning. Wear loose clothing and spending some time in the shade when the sun is strong can also help prevent sunburn. And you shouldn't use sunscreen as an excuse to stay out longer in the sun that you would without sunscreen.
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