Advice on sunscreen not so 'NICE' for UK public claims DTB

The NICE has recommended sunscreens with an SPF of 15 as sufficient in order to prevent sunburn and the subsequent potential cancer risk.

Testing standards vs public usage​

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However, this recommendation of SPF 15 is based on standard test conditions, says the DTB, and not on how much the public use on their skin in reality.

During the testing phase, manufacturers apply 2mg or 2cm2 of the product to the skin, whereas in reality, ‘people using sunscreens typically apply much less than this and get no more than half at best, of the protection indicated by the labelled SPF”, countered the DTB.

Furthermore, according to typical levels of sunscreen applied – 0.5mg to 1.5mg – a sunscreen with a high SPF such as 50 will only give an SPF of between 3 and 19.

Thus, in order to meet the NICE recommendation, an adult would need to use 35ml of sunscreen per application (of SPF 15), and if reapplied every two hours, as is also recommended, a standard 200ml bottle would be used up in two to three days.

This is impractical and expensive, and so, the DTB is calling for a change in the way sunscreens are tested and SPF measured, in order to realistically reflect public application.

DTB advice​

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Sunscreens in the UK often carry what is referred to as the ‘Boots star rating system’, which indicates the ratio of UVA and UVB protection.

The SPF refers to the amount of UVB protection offered whereas the stars indicate UVA protection; more stars, more UVA protection.

However, states the DTB, even though UVA makes up more than 95 per cent of UV radiation, UVB is the main cause of sunburn; “a 5-star product at a lower SPF (i.e. 15) could provide less protection than a 3-star product at a higher SPF (i.e. 30).”

Therefore, the DTB’s advice is to:

• Apply sunscreen (SPF 30) to all areas not protected by clothing – face, ears, and backs of hands
• Pay particular to vulnerable areas, such as the nose, shoulders, tops of feet, and back of the neck
• Spread sunscreen evenly rather than rub it in
• Re-apply after swimming or heavy sweating
• Don’t use sunscreen to prolong time spent in sun
• If you are fair skinned, go without sunscreen for 15 minutes two to three times a week only to ensure adequate supplies of vitamin D can be manufactured by the skin; those with darker skin need longer