As we continue to enjoy the summer, CTPA would like to reiterate how we can stay safe in the sun and also dispel some worrying myths and trends.
Sunscreen Misinformation
You may have seen a number of news articles this summer highlighting dangerous misinformation spreading across social media on sun protection. These include comments on the dangers of sunscreen use, anti-SPF (Sun Protection Factor) claims and promotion of viral tanning trends such as ‘extreme tan lines’. These trends are very worrying, as they suggest that being sunburnt is glamorous and could encourage people to actually get burned by the sun in order to be on-trend. In reality, this is harmful to our skin and our health. Medical professionals and dermatologists have warned that these social media trends are not harmless fads, but can lead to skin damage and the possibility of an increased risk of skin cancer.
While being in the sun can make us feel good, we need to ensure we enjoy the sun safely and understanding the importance of staying safe in the sun is critical. Excessive sun exposure remains a major health risk.
Sun protection is an essential matter of public health, and sunscreens play an important role, as part of a sun-safe regime, in keeping adults and children safe when exposing their skin to the sun.
Research undertaken for CTPA showed that 88% of UK adults think suncream is important for the health of their and their family’s skin in providing protection from the sun1.
Sunscreen Safety
We can trust the safety of our sunscreens and the protection they promise. Sunscreens are one of the most studied and assessed of all cosmetic products. In the UK, and EU, sunscreens are classed as cosmetic products. ALL cosmetic products, including sunscreens, placed on the market in the UK are regulated by strict safety laws, the UK Cosmetics Regulation (UKCR).
To ensure their safety , sunscreens, like all cosmetic products, must undergo a very strict safety assessment by a qualified safety assessor. The assessment covers the safety of the finished product as well as all the individual ingredients, how and where the product is to be used, by whom and how often.
The UKCR not only ensures human safety but also protects consumers by ensuring all claims made with regard to the effectiveness and product characteristics are adequately substantiated, and an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) number and UVA protection are classed as claims. Companies must have robust evidence to support the sun protection levels they label on their sunscreens.
CTPA Supporting Sun Education
This summer, CTPA, alongside other sponsors, is delighted to support a new sun education initiative exploring the science behind sun safety at the Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum in Widnes.
The Catalyst centre is an interactive science discovery centre and museum with a focus on chemistry and how the products of chemistry are used in everyday life. Through interactive sessions, the workshops will give young people the chance to become scientists and learn about the effects of sun on the skin, how sun protection products work and why sunscreen is so important. A UV photo booth will be available allowing families to test how effectively they have applied their sunscreen. The Sun Protection Scientist Workshops are aimed at families and run until 22 August.
For more information on the Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and the workshops, please visit its website here: www.catalyst.org.uk
Read more:
All about Sunscreens - essential information, videos and infographics to ensure consumers are safe in the sun.
1 Survey conducted for CTPA by Opinium Research on a nationally and politically representative sample of 2000+ UK adults, May 2024.
