Latest news with #SPF30
The Sun
21 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
Morrisons own-brand sun cream FAILS safety test – while another supermarket version triumphs, and it's cheaper too
MORRISONS' own-brand sun cream has failed a safety test conducted by experts. Consumer site Which? carried out a series of tests on 15 popular sun creams to make sure they met minimum sun protection levels. While most passed with flying colours, the Morrisons Moisturising Sun Spray SPF30 failed to meet the minimum levels for SPF protection. Which? has labelled it as a "Don't Buy" and said it could be "putting families at risk". The sun cream costs £3.75 for 200ml. It was tested twice and failed to meet minimum protection levels on both occasions. The only other product to fail the test was the Ultrasun Family SPF30, which costs a whopping £28 for 150ml. The expensive sun cream failed to meet minimum UVA protection levels in two tests. It's recommended that you use a sun cream with a minimum SPF of 15, along with a UVA rating of 4 or 5 stars. SPF stands for 'sun protection factor' and it mostly measures how well a sun cream protects you against UVB rays, which cause sunburn and are linked to particular types of skin cancer. The higher the SPF, the greater protection it offers. Meanwhile a sun cream's UVA rating refers to how well it protects against UVA rays. Map reveals where temps will hit glorious 33C this weekend – as revellers soak up the sun in parks, beaches & festivals UVA rays are associated with skin ageing and pigmentation, as well as skin cancer. Which? said it used industry-recognised test methods at independent labs. If a product failed on the first test, Which? repeated the test. The sun creams needed a score of at least 10 to pass the UVA test. But Ultrasun's UVA score was 9.1 and 9.5 in a retest. The SPF test required a score of 30 or more for a pass. However the Morrisons sun cream only scored 25.7 and then 20.7 in a retest. The products that failed to protect properly from SPF or UVA were labelled "Don't Buys". What does the UVA star rating mean? THE star rating for sun cream bottles was developed to illustrate the balanced protection that a product offers against both UVA and UVB rays. The index ranges from 0 to 5 stars. These indicate the percentage of UVA radiation absorbed by the sunscreen in comparison to UVB. The higher number of stars means the more balanced that protection is. You may also see the letters 'UVA' in a circle, which means the product has been approved by the EU. It is another way of saying that the product provides good balanced protection against UVA and UVB. Why should people care about choosing a sunscreen with high SPF and high UV protection? Extended exposure to the sun can lead to skin damage, experts say. There are four types of skin damage: skin ageing, hyperpigmentation, sunburns, and skin cancer. "By protecting yourself from the sun, you reduce the likelihood of damaging your skin," the British Association of Dermatologists says. "Make use of the shade during the hours of high intensity (11am and 3pm in the UK typically), wear clothing that will shade your skin, and use sunscreen with at least SPF30 and either the UVA logo or 4 to 5 stars, making sure you're applying it well and re-applying it regularly." Source: British Association of Dermatologists Natalie Hitchins, Which? head of home products and services, said: "It's really concerning that widely available sunscreens could be putting families at risk by failing to offer the level of sun protection claimed on the packaging. "While shoppers should avoid buying our Don't Buys, our results prove that there's no need to splash out to keep you and your loved ones safe in the sun as we've found cheap reliable options at Aldi and Lidl." A spokesperson from Ultrasun told Which? it is fully confident in its testing protocols and that its detailed testing processes continue to not only meet, but surpass industry standards. It said its chosen testing protocol is one of the strictest available. Morrisons told Which? that it's looking closely at the data and working with its supplier to carry out additional independent testing. A spokesperson said: "We work closely with our supplier and conduct extensive efficacy and safety testing during product development. "As such, all our sun care products are tested to the relevant industry test standards and are not approved for launch until they meet these standards. During development and production all tested variants consistently achieved an SPF of 30. 'In direct response to this report from Which? we have retested the SPF against the British and International Standard BS EN ISO 24444:2020 and can confirm the product has achieved an SPF value of 34.5 and can therefore be labelled as SPF 30.' Which sun creams passed the testing? Most of the sun creams tested passed - including bargain buys from Lidl and Aldi. The cheapest was Aldi's Lacura Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF50+, which is only £2.99 for a 200ml bottle. It offers very high SPF protection and costs six times less than the Ultrasun version. The product earned a Which? Great Value badge as a result. Another bargain option was Lidl's Cien Sun Spray 30 SPF High, which costs £3.79 for a 200ml bottle. Which? testers found it was a solid option for affordable and reliable sun protection, and also gave it a Great Value endorsement. These are the other products that passed the testing: Boots Soltan Protect & Moisturise Suncare Lotion, £5.50/200ml Boots Soltan Protect & Moisturise Suncare Spray SPF30, £5.50/200ml Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture Lotion SPF30, £7.90/200ml Sainsbury's Sun Protect Moisturising Lotion SPF30, £5.50/200ml Superdrug Solait Sun Spray SPF30, £5.50/200ml Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Advanced Sun Spray SPF 50+, £11/150ml Sainsbury's Sun ProtectMoisturising Spray Lotion SPF50+, £5.75/200ml Boots Soltan Protect & Moisturise Suncare Lotion SPF50+, £5.50/200ml Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture Spray SPF50+, £7.90/200ml And these are the ones specifically made for children that passed too: Childs Farm Sun Cream Fragrance-Free SPF50+, £12/200ml Soltan Kids Protect & Moisturise Lotion SPF50+, £5.50/200ml Which? ran a similar test last year with 26 sun creams. The vast majority passed but the failures were Asda's Protect Moisturising Sun Lotion SPF30 High, Calypso's Press & Protect Sun Lotion SPF30 and Bondi Sands' SPF 50+ Fragrance Free Face Sunscreen Lotion. Asda said it did not recognise the results, while Calypso said its product passed EU standards and regulations in independent testing. Bondi Sands insisted all of its products undergo "rigorous testing" to ensure they meet industry standards.
Daily Mail
03-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
The most genius beauty hack ever? This new SPF is actually a gradual self-tanner in disguise - without any fake tan smell or streaks!
If you've ever wished your SPF did more than just protect, Green People has answered your beauty prayers with the launch of their Glow & Protect SPF30. A sun cream and gradual self-tanner in one, the Green People Glow & Protect SPF30 combines SPF30 protection, gradual self-tan, and deep hydration that's both sun-safe and streak-free. Green People Glow & Protect SPF30 Green People's Glow & Protect SPF30 combines broad-spectrum sun protection, gradual self-tanning, and deep hydration in one natural, streak-free formula designed for sensitive skin. A true multitasker, it delivers a subtle, buildable bronze glow while nourishing the skin and eliminating the need for multiple products or complicated routines. And we've got a little something extra for you - use code GLOW50 to get 50 per cent off the Exfoliating Hand & Body Scrub when you purchase Glow & Protect. The code is valid until June 6, 2025, and can't be combined with any other offers. £37 Shop Designed with sensitive skin in mind, this natural and organic formula delivers a flawless, sun-kissed glow without any of the usual fake tan fuss - perfect if you're pale like me and after a tanner that's effortless to apply and impossible to mess up. What I really love is that there's no faffing around with loads of different products, nor do I need to wear it overnight. With Glow & Protect, you just apply as you would any moisturiser, and you'll be glowing, hydrated and protected all in one go. Ideal for the face and body, this multitasker develops over 18 to 24 hours and builds gradually for a natural, bronzed look, while also offering broad-spectrum protection to keep harmful UVA and UVB rays at bay. The formula features a blend of DHA and Erythrulose, two tanning agents that work together to build a radiant bronze that lasts for up to five days - don't expect to be dramatically bronzed. I gave it a go myself and can confirm it leaves your skin feeling super soft, smooth and nourished, thanks to the mix of Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera and plant oils. When I tested it, the tan faded evenly, too. I also love how it toned down my red undertones and meant I could get away with wearing way less makeup. And rather than being an SPF with a bit of tint or a tanning accelerator thrown in, it's the real deal - a proper sun cream and gradual self-tan rolled into one. I'm impressed. And for those who dread the tell-tale smell of traditional self-tanners, this one is a breath of fresh air, literally. Green People Glow & Protect bursting with uplifting notes of Sweet Orange, Mandarin, Lemon and Ginger, it delivers a warm, citrusy fragrance with floral undertones that feels like summer in a bottle. While you might catch a subtle hint of tan if you press your nose to your skin throughout the day, it's nothing like the overpowering scent of standard gradual tanners. There's no need to rinse it off, no worry about stains (just wait 15 minutes before dressing - although I did steer clear of white just in case), and absolutely no synthetic fragrances or drying alcohols. Use code GLOW50 to get 50 per cent off the Exfoliating Hand & Body Scrub (pictured) when you purchase Glow & Protect Plus, because it includes SPF 30, you can apply it in the morning and head out without needing to use a separate sunscreen. With its skin-loving ingredients, cruelty-free credentials, and easy, buildable glow, Glow & Protect SPF30 is a total winner for any self-tan novice wanting to bronze up while staying protected. It's a no-brainer, and it gets a big thumbs up from me. Shop the Green People Glow & Protect Organic Self Tan with SPF30 (£37) online here.
