Some sunscreens provide little protection

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion /Courtesy of Boots

By Rachel Lee

One in three sunscreen lotions fails to provide the SPF (sun protection factor) claimed, a study shows.

According to Consumer Reports, almost a third of 34 tested products did not offer the promised protection. Those 11 creams, most of which were American brands, delivered 16 to 70 percent below their claims.

“It’s quite surprising, given that sunscreens are highly regulated in both Canada and the U.S.,” Sonya Cook, a dermatologist, told Metro Morning.

The research, which tested for protection against UVB and UVA radiation, found that mineral sunscreens were less effective than chemical products. Both radiations cause sunburn, wrinkling and aging. None of the five mineral sun protection lotions were included in the 15 recommended products.

Meanwhile, consumer organization Which? has revealed that two of the U.K.’s popular sunscreen brands have failed to meet their claimed protection _ Soltan Protect and Moisturise Lotion (SP30) and Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion (SP30).

Both products were said to offer only two-thirds of the claimed protection, the BBC reported.

But the two companies denied the claims.

Hawaiian Tropic told the BBC that the product is “meeting all SPF, UVA and EU requirements and regulations.”

A Boots spokesperson said: “Customers can rely on them to provide the level of protection expected." Boots makes the Soltan lotion.