SUN WORSHIPPERS have been warned to choose their sunscreen carefully after a new survey showed that some leading brands do not provide the level of protection claimed on the bottle.
Consumer Choice magazine tested eight leading sunscreen products on the Irish market with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 each and found that only five provided the level of protection claimed.
Marks Spencer sun formula moisturising lotion was found to have an SPF of 7.1, rather than the 15 claimed. Ironically, at €12 for a 200ml bottle, this product was one of the most expensive of those tested.
Malibu high-protection lotion also fell short; laboratory tests found the actual SPF to be 10.2.
A third lotion, made by Piz Buin, had an SPF of 14.1, marginally short of the claimed 15 SPF.
“It is disappointing that our research has revealed that leading sun protection products do not stand up under scrutiny. Consumers are not getting the protection they expect from these sun products, and that poses risks,” comments Jenny Harrow of Consumer Choice.
The product that performed best in the test, which at €20 was the most expensive, was Garnier Ambre Solaire Clear Protect; its SPF was measured at 18.7. All the products tested well for water resistance. An SPF of 15 is considered medium protection against the sun’s rays but creams can be obtained in a range from two to 60+.
An SPF of 15 boosts the skin’s natural protection by a factor of 15; thus, a fair-skinned Irish person who would normally turn red after 10 minutes in the sun would obtain about 2.5 hours of protection if SPF 15 cream is used.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Ireland; one in every six men and women will get it by the age of 74. The Irish Cancer Society says SPF 15 is the lowest level of protection people should use.
“It is worth noting that sunscreens with 100 per cent protection against the sun simply do not exist, and the only way to completely protect your skin from sun damage is to stay out of the sun,” advises Ms Harrow.
She says that when looking for a sunscreen, consumers should ensure the product protects against both UVA and UVB rays from the sun. Creams should be thrown out after two or three years if unused.
A spokesman for MS defended its product. He told the magazine: “This formulation has been tested to internationally recommended protocols. The test data shows that it provides SPF 15 protection.”
