![]() Mineral sunscreens in particular often promote their environmental credentials, the most common being that they’re ‘reef-safe’ or 'ocean-friendly'. If you're using sun cream at the beach, apply plenty before swimming, and again when you leave the water. Most of the time, the products weren't as effective in our more realistic conditions as they were in tap water. We also added another scenario using fast-moving tap water to see what effect this had. We tested two popular sun creams in chlorinated water (to mimic a swimming pool) and salty water (to emulate the sea). Water-resistance testing also takes place in what is essentially a bath – using tap water. The industry guideline for water-resistant sun creams allows the SPF of a product to drop by 50% after a total of 40 minutes in water. It's common for sun creams to claim to be 'water resistant', but this doesn't mean that they're waterproof. Since 2018, the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) has brought out guidance encouraging a shift from once-a-day claims to 'durable' sun cream, with more guidance given on when reapplication is necessary, but we're still seeing plenty of claims that are similar to 'once-a-day'. They may give a false sense of security, and normal daily or holiday activities such as swimming, sweating and clothes rubbing can cause these products to rub off and reduce protection.Įven with our test subjects just sitting on a chair in a T-shirt, we saw substantial reductions in the level of sun protection, so we don't think you can rely on once-a-day sun cream to keep you protected all day. ![]() Both advise against relying on any sun cream for extended periods in the sun.Īt Which?, we don’t think ‘once-a-day,’ ‘eight-hour’ or similar single-use claims should be made on sun creams in the UK (these claims are banned in other countries, such as Australia). We shared our concerns with Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD). We saw an average 74% decrease in SPF protection at the end of the tests. If the index is three or greater, it's worth considering using sunscreen – particularly if you burn easily. The index ranges from low (a rating of one or two), to very high (eight and over). The UV index gives a good indication of whether you need to apply sunscreen on any given day. Nanoparticles are smaller, and as they scatter visible light – rather than reflect it – the sun creams are transparent. Some formulations use nanoparticles of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide – the minerals responsible for the residue. Physical/mineral products reflect visible light as well as UV, which can make the formulations opaque and leave a white residue on the skin. Physical or mineral sun creams create a barrier on the skin that acts like a mirror, reflecting and scattering the UV light. ![]() While chemical and physical UV filters have the same purpose (to block UV rays) they do it in different ways.Ĭhemical sun creams absorb UV rays and release the energy as heat. Sun creams may use one type of UV filter or a combination of the two types. ![]() These are classified into two types: chemical and physical – also known as mineral sun cream. Sun cream provides protection from sunlight using UV filters. These are our top picks from our tests of adults SPF 30 sunscreens and kids SPF 50+ sun cream:Ĭhemical vs physical (mineral) sun screen We award Which? Best Buy status to products that we've independently reviewed that meet all our tough criteria: they must pass independent lab tests for UVA and UVB sun protection, and be easy and pleasant to apply. Įat well, live better and stay healthy - sign up for our free monthly Food & Health newsletter for the latest insights delivered straight to your inbox Best sun creams To see how popular branded sun creams fared in our tests, including the cheap supermarket versions that passed with flying colours, see our top picks below - or find the full selection in our sun cream reviews. In our expert guide, we also explain how sun creams work and how often you need to apply them.įind out what you need to know about 'once a day' sun creams, water-resistant sun creams, sensitive sun screen and the best kids' sun cream too. Our rigorous reviews identify the best sun creams that pass British Standard tests for UVA and UVB sun protection – so you can rely on our Which? Best Buys to look after your skin.
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