La Roche-Posay survey shows Brits are confused by sun care jargon
The company carried out the survey to coincide with Melanoma Awareness Month in the UK, and the results show that many consumers in the country are still in the dark about sun protection and burn prevention, as well as the efficacy and functionality of different sun care products.
According to the survey findings four fifths (86 per cent) do not know exactly what UVA and UVB rays are, while over half of those surveyed (55 per cent) said they were confused about what sunscreen was right for them and would prefer to ask the opinion of a pharmacist.
Two thirds of Brits think SPF 30 is not necessary
Perhaps even more worrying was the finding that nearly two thirds (58 per cent) said they did not think it was necessary to use the recommended SPF 30 and above, while 25 per cent said they were more concerned about getting a tan than protecting themselves.
The survey also found that 13 per cent of British people still wear no sunscreen at all, even if they are holidaying in hot countries.
Not surprisingly, the survey found that 26 per cent of those surveyed said they had burnt themselves whilst in the UK last summer, with 9 per cent of respondents saying that they had got burnt because they did not think it was hot enough to apply sunscreen.
Below is a chart indicating which specific body parts respondents reported to have been most often burnt
Top Ten Body Parts That Brits Burn Regularly
Shoulders 44 per cent
Nose 32 per cent
Forehead 25 per cent
Chest 25 per cent
Head 23 per cent
Back 17 per cent
Legs 10 per cent
Ears 10 per cent
Other 17 per cent
Source: La Roche-Posay
The survey results may make a depressing read for the sun care industry, which has made a major contribution to helping raise awareness of the dangers of inadequate protection against the sun’s rays in recent years.
But likewise, it also spells an enormous amount of potential, in trying to target those individuals who still have not got the message about adequate sun care protection.
