Three popular sunscreens offer less protection than consumer organization Which?
In spot checks of 26 sunscreens – including some cheaper options from supermarkets Aldi and Lidl – lotions from Calypso Sun, Bondi Sands and Asda failed all tests.
Asda has questioned the validity of the Which? tests, stating that independent tests of the same batch confirmed that the lotion provided the level of protection on the label.
Calypso Sun said all products have been carefully tested and passed European Union standards.
Who? says these products failed some of its checks:
- Calypso Sun Press & Protect Sun Lotion SPF30
- Asda Protect Sunscreen Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 High
- Bondi Sands Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50+
Skin lotions that passed the tests included:
- Lidl Cien Sun Spray SPF 30
- Aldi Lacura SP 30 sunscreen lotion
- Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture Lotion SP 30
- Boots Soltan Protect & Moisture Spray SPF30
- Garnier Ambre Solaire Kids waterproof sunscreen spray SPF50
Natalie Hitchins, at Which?, said: “It’s incredibly worrying that some big brands have failed our tests and don’t offer the level of sun protection claimed on the packaging.
“However, it is great to see cheaper top quality sunscreens available on the High Street and in supermarkets at a time when shoppers need affordable options.
“Our results prove that there’s no need to drool to keep you and your loved ones safe in the sun this summer, and that many supermarket own-brand products can do a good job.”
Who? tested how much energy it took to redden the backs of volunteers exposed to rays from ultraviolet (UV) lamps, with and without sunscreen, and applied lotions to glass plates to measure the amount of light they filtered.
It conducted some tests in 2023 and some in 2024.
An Asda spokesperson told BBC News: “We recently had our Asda Protect Moisturizing Sun Lotion SPF 30 High retested by a leading external provider using internationally recognized testing methods.
“These test results confirmed that this product has a sun protection factor of 31.5 – and therefore we do not accept the test results published by Which?.
“When which? reviewed the same product in 2022, at which time they gave it “great value” and it passed the SPF test.
“The composition of the product has not changed since then, so we would question the validity of their test.”
A spokesperson for Calypso Sun told BBC News: “We would like to thank Which? for sharing the results of the 2024 study – however, all our products are carefully and independently tested and passed in accordance with EU standards and regulations.
“Calypso Sun will continue its proud commitment to providing safe sun protection products for the entire family, a promise we have consistently kept for several decades.”
BBC News attempted to contact Bondi Sands.
Director of the Association of Cosmetic Toiletries and Perfumes Dr. Emma Meredith said: “An incredible amount of research goes into the development and testing of sunscreens to make sure we can trust the protection they offer.
“Companies use supporting data and scientists with sun care expertise to verify their results, and should only market a product when the full suite of development test data matches the final sun protection test results.”
Professor Dorothy Bennet said UV light allowed people to produce essential vitamin D but also increased the risk of skin cancer – so controlling exposure was key.
“It’s important that we can trust sunscreens to deliver the protection they claim,” she said.
“We might be able to tell if the protection is lower by burning ourselves – but then it’s too late.
“It is good that so many sunscreens have passed the test, but it is worrying that several creams have failed to protect as advertised.”
Appropriate clothing
Professor Bennet said there could be a number of reasons for the different results reported by the Who? and certain companies involved, including how thickly the sunscreen was applied, on which part of the body, and the exact wavelength range of UVB or UVA light used.
- Don’t just rely on sunscreen – wear appropriate clothing and spend time in the shade when the sun is at its hottest
- When buying sunscreen, the label should say at least SPF 30 for UVB protection and four-star UVA protection – the letters ‘UVA’ in a circle mean it meets the EU standard.
- Make sure the sunscreen is not past its expiration date
- Do not stay in the sun longer than without sunscreen