These two kids’ sun creams just failed safety tests – and here is what you need to know

Nivea’s Kids Protect & Care SPF50+ failed Which?’s SPF test, falling short of the SPF50 claim on the bottle, and although it passed the SPF test, Garnier’s Ambre Solaire Clear Protect Spray SPF30 just failed Which?’s UVA tests twice.

As part of the consumer test of sun creams, 15 branded and own-label sunscreens were tested, and assessed for SPF and UVA performance, as well as how easy they were to apply.

Sun Protection Factor (SPF) shows how much a product protects against UVB rays, and is one of the most important considerations when buying sunscreen – especially when it comes to young children, who tend to have more sensitive skin compared to adults.

Staying safe in the sun

Which? has shared some clever tips for staying safe in sun:

1. Apply sun cream frequently, liberally and prior to going in the sun

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends using 35ml of sunscreen to cover the whole body; this is about seven teaspoons’ worth. It’s best to apply to all exposed areas 15 minutes before going outside, and reapply every two hours, especially after swimming or other outdoor physical activity.

2. Know what sun protection symbols to look for and what they mean

UVA and UVB are both types of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and have been linked to skin cancer. UVB is the main cause of sunburn, while UVA can cause premature skin ageing. UVB rays are blocked by glass, but UVA can penetrate that and clouds. The sun protection factor (SPF) shows how much protection sun cream provides against UVB radiation. It indicates how much longer skin covered with the sunscreen takes to redden compared with unprotected skin. The UVA seal – a circle with ‘UVA’ inside it – shows that it meets official recommendations for UVA sun protection. Some products use the Boots UVA star ratings system to indicate the level of UVA protection. Find out more in our suncream buying guide.

3. Take extra care to protect children

Children’s skin is more sensitive to the sun, so it’s especially important to keep them protected. Buying a decent and high SPF sunscreen is important, but don’t rely on this alone. Getting kids to wear a wide-brimmed hat – to protect their neck and ears – and covering up with a T-shirt or an SPF sun suit while outdoors helps. Wearing sunglasses and avoiding the hottest part of the day are both advisable things to do (for adults too). Babies should always be kept out of the sun.