sunscreen tips

What sunscreen should I use?A guide to everything you need to know before you buy?

Whether you’re going on holiday or planning a staycation, you’re going to need some sun protection. Even on one of the UK’s cloudiest days, the sun’s rays will still be present. This means you’re being exposed to 

damaging UVA and UVB rays (there’s more on this later) and you’re at 

greater risk of developing skin cancer or experiencing premature ageing, including wrinkles, dark spots and fine lines. So to avoid all this, slap on some sunscreen before you head out the door, ideally every day.There’s lots of terminology when it comes to sunscreen though and brands make big claims like their lotions being “water resistant” or “once a day” (meaning you only need to apply it once for full day protection). So we’ve created a complete guide to sunscreen to help you understand what you need to know and, more importantly, what specs to look out for when you buy, and what to avoid. We’ve also reviewed a range of sunscreens ourselves, from ones best-suited to babies over six-months-old (if your tiny tot is younger than this they shouldn't be in direct sunlight at all) to ones formulated specifically for your face. We’ve also got after-sun covered for those who fall foul of burning. 

UVA and UVB rays:

UV rays are what cause the damage and are the ones you need to protect 

your skin from, with both types being linked to skin cancer. Ultraviolet 

B (UVB) rays are responsible for skin reddening and sunburn. It’s also 

the main culprit for skin cancer but also causes tanning and premature 

ageing. UVB rays vary in strength depending on location, the time of 

day and the time of year.

Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays penetrate deeper into your skin and are 

responsible for tanning. They also cause premature ageing such as 

wrinkles. UVA rays are normally fairly consistent all year round and at 

any time of the day.

When buying sunscreen you want to look out for a broad spectrum 

version, which protects you against both types of UV rays.

What does SPF mean?:

Sun protection factor (SPF) measures the amount of protection you’ll 

receive from the sun’s UVB rays. Rated on a scale from 2 to 50+ (the 

higher the number, the stronger the protection), it tells you how much 

longer your skin will take to turn red in response to UVB compared to if 

you weren’t using any protection. For example, if you normally burn 

after 30 minutes without sunscreen, an SPF 30 will protect you for 30 

times longer, which is 15 hours. Most people use a minimum of SPF 30.

How good is your sunscreen?:

Sunscreens are rated for their level of UVA protection. When you see 

“UVA” inside a circle, it’s confirming the UVA protection you’ve 

bought is at least one third of the SPF value and therefore meets EU 

recommendations.

Some products may display a star rating instead, which is also a measure 

of the amount of protection you receive from UVA radiation. The rating 

is from one to five stars, where more stars mean more protection. This 

system requires a higher minimum level of protection than the EU 

recommendations. 

Different types of sunscreen:

Once a day sunscreen : these claim to protect you from the sun all day 

with only one application. Tests completed on these sunscreens have 

shown otherwise though, so we recommend you stick to the normal 

guidelines when it comes to application. 

Water-resistant sunscreen –:these are for those who are always in the 

pool or sea, as it means your sunscreen will keep you protected in water. 

Always check how long your sunscreen claims to be water resistant for 

and reapply once you get out the water – towel drying will rub off your 

lotion.

Sunscreen with insect repellent –:this sounds appealing if you’re 

experiencing bugs at the beach but studies have shown sunscreens 

containing DEET see a reduction in the effectiveness of SPF protection. 

And you’ll need to reapply sunscreen more often than insect repellent. 

Experts recommend sticking to two separate products.

Facial sunscreen : these creams are often moisturisers containing SPF, 

so are usually lightweight, non-greasy and great for delicate or sensitive 

skin. Prices range from around £10 to £150, with many including anti-

ageing properties too. Make sure you apply them liberally to your face 

and reapply every two hours in the sun. Take a look at our facial 

sunscreens round-up for more details.

Anti-ageing sunscreen : most now claim to contain anti-ageing 

properties or protection from free radicals. Free radicals are created from 

environmental factors such as pollution and dust and contribute to 

premature ageing. City dwellers should look out for this type as you’ll 

need daily protection from the surrounding smog.