Latest news with #UltrasunFamilySPF30
Wales Online
11 hours ago
- Health
- Wales Online
Which? says popular sunscreens failed safety tests - including £28 brand
Which? says popular sunscreens failed safety tests - including £28 brand The consumer champion tested 15 sunscreens and found some of the cheapest were the 'most effective' Which? said shoppers should avoid their 'don't buys' A £28 family sunscreen has failed an annual Which? safety test while a £2.99 supermarket alternative passed with 'flying colours', the watchdog said. Ultrasun Family SPF30, which costs £28 for 150ml and is marketed as being 'perfect for the whole family' and 'especially suitable for children and those with sensitive skin', failed to meet minimum UVA protection levels in two separate tests by Which?. But the manufacturers have questioned the results and say their brands have been providing protection for years. Ultrasun passed the UVB SPF part of the test but failed on UVA testing, scoring 9.1 and then 9.5 in a retest. Which? required a score of 10 or more for a pass. Morrisons Moisturising Sun Spray SPF30 also failed to meet minimum SPF protection levels in two tests. The product passed UVA tests but failed the UVB/SPF tests with scores of 25.7 and then 20.7 – short of the 30 or more needed to pass. UVA and UVB rays both cause different types of damage, and not all sun creams protect against them in the same way. UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB to cause long-term damage, including all types of skin cancer, and play a role in the ageing process, such as causing wrinkles, sun spots and leathery skin. UVB rays are mostly responsible for sunburn and skin reddening. They do not penetrate as deeply as UVA rays but they are just as damaging, and can play a large part in the development of skin cancers including melanoma. SPF stands for 'sun protection factor', and indicates the level of protection a sun cream provides against burning rays. SPFs range from 2 to 50+, with 50+ offering the most protection against UVB. Which? tested 15 popular sun creams this year, including Boots, Garnier and Nivea as well as supermarket own-brand products. Article continues below Aldi's Lacura Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF50+, which costs £2.99 for 200ml, was found to protect the skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Cien Sun Spray 30 SPF High (£3.79/200ml), from fellow discounter Lidl, also passed all SPF and UVA testing, with Which? describing it as a 'solid option for affordable and reliable sun protection'. Some 11 other products, including Boots Soltan Protect & Moisturise Suncare Spray SPF30 (£5.50 for 200ml), Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture Lotion SPF30 (£7.90 for 200ml) and Sainsbury's Sun Protect Moisturising Lotion SPF30 (£5.50 for 200ml) passed SPF and UVA safety tests. 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 spokeswoman for Ultrasun said: 'Ultrasun is fully confident in our testing protocols. As an independent brand delivering very high UVB and UVA protection options for over 30 years, our detailed testing processes, independent and peer reviewed, continue to not only meet but surpass industry standards. 'Our chosen testing protocol is one of the strictest available. Further detail and clarification from Which? on their testing protocols would also be helpful, particularly on how these resulted in two different results from the same sample.' Morrisons told Which? that it was looking closely at the data and working with its supplier to carry out additional independent testing. Article continues below A Morrisons spokeswoman added: '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.'
Scottish Sun
17 hours ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Morrisons own-brand sun cream FAILS safety test – while another supermarket version triumphs, and it's cheaper too
Plus, see the list of sun creams that passed with flying colours FEAR FACTOR Morrisons own-brand sun cream FAILS safety test – while another supermarket version triumphs, and it's cheaper too Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The Morrisons Moisturising Sun Spray SPF30 failed Which?'s test for SPF protection Credit: Morrisons 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. Read more on sun creams SPF FAIL The 5 body parts people forget sun cream that are prone to skin cancer 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 Mirror
17 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Families urged to avoid this popular sun cream after it failed safety tests
Research by consumer group Which? found two sun creams that failed its safety checks - plus others that others, including budget brands that passed with flying colours A popular sun cream aimed at families with a £28 price tag has failed safety tests. Consumer group Which? urged shoppers to avoid the product - Ultrasun Family SPF30 - while also revealing supermarket alternatives at a fraction of the price had passed with flying colours. The results are especially timely, given Britain is in the grip of a heatwave and people will be rushing to buy sun block. Which? found the Ultrasun product - which comes in a 150ml bottle and is marketed as being 'perfect for the whole family' and 'especially suitable for children and those with sensitive skin' - failed to meet minimum UVA (ultraviolet A) protection levels. Ultrasun's UVA score was 9.1 and 9.5 in a retest. It needed to be 10 or more to pass. It did, however, pass for the alternative UVB protection. Another sun block that failed was Morrisons ' Moisturising Sun Spray SPF30 at £3.75 for a 200ml bottle. It passed for UVA protection but came up short for SPF (sun protection factor) against UVB. Like the Ultrasun product, Which? labelled it a 'don't buy'. As part of an annual exercise, the group carried out lab tests on 15 popular sun creams using what it says were industry-recognised methods. If a product failed on a first test, it was repeated. If it passed the second time, a third test will be done. But if a product failed the SPF or UVA twice overall, it became a 'don't buy'. Among those that passed was budget supermarket Aldi 's Lacura Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF50+, which costs just £2.99 for 200ml. Researchers found it protected skin from both UVA and UVB rays, as claimed. At £1.50 per 100ml - six times less than Ultrasun - the product also earned a Which? Great Value badge. Another given the same rating was rival Lidl 's Cien Sun Spray 30 SPF High, at £3.79 for 200ml. 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 was fully confident in its testing protocols and that its detailed testing processes continued to not only meet, but surpass industry standards. It stated that 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. Full list 'Don't Buys' Morrisons Moisturising Sun Spray SPF30, £3.75/200ml Ultrasun Family SPF30, £28/150ml Passes SPF30 sunscreens 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 Lidl Cien Sun Protect Spray SPF30 High, £3.79/200ml Sainsbury's Sun Protect Moisturising Lotion SPF30, £5.50/200ml Superdrug Solait Sun Spray SPF30, £5.50/200ml SPF50/50+ sunscreens Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Advanced Sun Spray SPF 50+, £11/150ml Sainsbury's Sun ProtectMoisturising Spray Lotion SPF50+, £5.75/200ml Aldi Lacura Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF50+, £2.99/200ml Boots Soltan Protect & Moisturise Suncare Lotion SPF50+, £5.50/200ml Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture Spray SPF50+, £7.90/200ml SPF50/50+ kids sunscreens
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
The £2.99 sun cream that's been awarded the ‘greatest value' Which? award – and it's £28 cheaper than a pricey rival
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WITH the hot weather showing no sign of disappearing anytime soon, sun cream is a must. But it can be on the pricey side - with the much-loved Ultrasun Family SPF30 coming in at a whopping £28 a bottle. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Aldi's Lacura SPF50+ Sensitive Sun Lotion has been awarded a coveted 'Great Value' accreditation from Which? Credit: Alamy 4 It costs just £2.99 - an 89% discount compared to the pricey Ultrasun alternative Credit: aldi So it's no wonder shoppers are racing to their nearest Aldi to scour the beauty aisles for the Lacura SPF50+ Sensitive Sun Lotion, which has been awarded a coveted 'Great Value' accreditation by consumer champion Which?. According to the Which? judges, the £2.99 Lacura sun cream is easily applied and offers effective protection from the sun - while coming in at under £3. Which? judges praised Aldi's Lacura product for its easy application and effective protection, all while maintaining an accessible price point under £3. And thanks to being fragrance free and non-greasy, it's suitable for sensitive skin and "designed to ensure maximum protection without irritation". Like all of Aldi's sun creams, the 50+ Sensitive Sun Lotion has a 5-star UVA/UVB rating - meaning it offers the highest barrier against UVA rays. "This recognition is a powerful testament to our commitment to delivering exceptional quality and performance at great prices for our shoppers," Julia Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, said. "To offer such effective sun protection for under £3 truly embodies our promise of accessible excellence. "It means our shoppers can enjoy the summer safely, knowing they're getting first-rate protection without breaking the bank." In addition, Aldi has released two new additions to its suncare range - the Lacura SPF50+ Shine Control Face Sun Lotion and the Lacura SPF50+ Moisturising Sun Lotion. The former has a smooth matte finish that works well as a primer under make-up, and comes in at £2.19 - meaning you save 84% compared to Nivea. I'm a skin pro & here's 5 sunscreen mistakes you make - you need my 13 dot hack While the latter lotion offer 24-hour hydration, meaning the skin is left feeling soft and nourished, as well as being protected from the sun. There are also several effective options for kids - the £2.99 Lacura SPF50+ Baby & Kids Sensitive Lotion. Or for a cool twist, try the Coloured Roll On, which also comes in at £2.29. The green-coloured formula is fun for kids, while also highlighting any areas that may have been missed during application. The importance of sun cream in your skincare routine Dermatologist and skincare enthusiast Andrea Suarez - known as Dr Dray - revealed why you should wear suncream. The one thing you can do that will make the biggest difference - and this matters for all ages - is protecting your skin from the sun, Andrea stressed. "The vast majority of external aging is due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation," she continued, not because you're "not using some jazzy serum or layering 90 different things on your face everyday". "If you're not doing in your 20s, get on that now." But she said the use of sun cream alone doesn't go far enough. Andrea urged that you also wear sun-protective clothing like broad-brimmed hats and long sleeves, on top of not staying out too long in the sun. Doing this over your lifetime - and all year, not just during the summer or on sunny days - "will reduce the visible signs of photoageing", Andrea said. Those are wrinkles, muddled pigmentation and sagging skin. It's also suitable for sensitive kids' skin. And if you get burnt in the sun - unlikely with Aldi's range - there's also the Lacura Moisturising After Sun Lotion. The £2.39 cream is "formulated with Glycerin and Aloe Vera to calm and refresh sun-stressed skin". 4 All of Aldi's suncare range has a five-star UVA and UVB rating, meaning it offers the highest barrier against the skin Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
The £2.99 sun cream that's been awarded the ‘greatest value' Which? award – and it's £28 cheaper than a pricey rival
WITH the hot weather showing no sign of disappearing anytime soon, sun cream is a must. But it can be on the pricey side - with the much-loved Ultrasun Family SPF30 coming in at a whopping £28 a bottle. Advertisement 4 Aldi's Lacura SPF50+ Sensitive Sun Lotion has been awarded a coveted 'Great Value' accreditation from Which? Credit: Alamy 4 It costs just £2.99 - an 89% discount compared to the pricey Ultrasun alternative Credit: aldi So it's no wonder shoppers are racing to their nearest Aldi to scour the beauty aisles for the Lacura SPF50+ Sensitive Sun Lotion, which has been awarded a coveted 'Great Value' accreditation by consumer champion According to the Which? judges, the £2.99 Lacura sun cream is easily applied and offers effective protection from the sun - while coming in at under £3. Which? judges praised Aldi's Lacura product for its easy application and effective protection, all while maintaining an accessible price point under £3. And thanks to being fragrance free and non-greasy, it's suitable for sensitive skin and "designed to ensure maximum protection without irritation". Advertisement Read more Weather stories Like all of Aldi's sun creams, the 50+ Sensitive Sun Lotion has a 5-star UVA/UVB rating - meaning it offers the highest barrier against UVA rays. "This recognition is a powerful testament to our commitment to delivering exceptional quality and performance at great prices for our shoppers," Julia Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, said. "To offer such effective sun protection for under £3 truly embodies our promise of accessible excellence. "It means our shoppers can enjoy the summer safely, knowing they're getting first-rate protection without breaking the bank." Advertisement Most read in Fabulous In addition, Aldi has released two new additions to its suncare range - the Lacura SPF50+ Shine Control Face Sun Lotion and the Lacura SPF50+ Moisturising Sun Lotion. The former has a smooth matte finish that works well as a primer under make-up, and comes in at £2.19 - meaning you save 84% compared to Nivea. I'm a skin pro & here's 5 sunscreen mistakes you make - you need my 13 dot hack While the latter lotion offer 24-hour hydration, meaning the skin is left feeling soft and nourished, as well as being protected from the sun. There are also several effective options for kids - the £2.99 Lacura SPF50+ Baby & Kids Sensitive Lotion. Advertisement Or for a cool twist, try the Coloured Roll On, which also comes in at £2.29. The green-coloured formula is fun for kids, while also highlighting any areas that may have been missed during application. The importance of sun cream in your skincare routine Dermatologist and skincare enthusiast Andrea Suarez - known as Dr Dray - revealed why you should wear suncream. The one thing you can do that will make the biggest difference - and this matters for all ages - is protecting your skin from the sun, Andrea stressed. "The vast majority of external aging is due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation," she continued, not because you're "not using some jazzy serum or layering 90 different things on your face everyday". "If you're not doing in your 20s, get on that now." But she said the use of sun cream alone doesn't go far enough. Andrea urged that you also wear sun-protective clothing like broad-brimmed hats and long sleeves, on top of not staying out too long in the sun. Doing this over your lifetime - and all year, not just during the summer or on sunny days - "will reduce the visible signs of photoageing", Andrea said. Those are wrinkles, muddled pigmentation and sagging skin. It's also suitable for sensitive kids' skin. And if you get burnt in the sun - unlikely with Aldi's range - there's also the Lacura Moisturising After Sun Lotion. Advertisement The £2.39 cream is "formulated with Glycerin and Aloe Vera to calm and refresh sun-stressed skin". 4 All of Aldi's suncare range has a five-star UVA and UVB rating, meaning it offers the highest barrier against the skin Credit: Alamy 4 If you've got kids, this roll-on is coloured so you can see exactly where you've missed when applying it Credit: aldi
