Sabi pipo say dem chook eye inside some popular sunscreens but dem fail protection tests

Three popular sunscreen lotions offer less protection dan dem claim, according to consumer organisation - Which?

Which? carry out spot-checks on 26 sunscreens. Three lotions, from Calypso Sun, Bondi Sands and Asda no pass all di tests - but odas, including some cheaper options from supermarkets Aldi and Lidl, pass.

Asda question di validity of di Which? tests, saying independent tests of di same batch bin confirm say di lotion provided di level of protection on di label.

Calypso Sun and Bondi Sands say all products dey carefully tested and meet safety standards.

Which? say di products fail some of im checks:

Calypso Sun Press & Protect Sun Lotion SPF30

Asda Protect Moisturising Sun Lotion SPF 30 High

Bondi Sands SPF 50+ Face Sunscreen Lotion

Lotions wey pass di tests include:

Lidl Cien Sun Spray SPF 30

Aldi Lacura SP 30 Sun Lotion

Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture Lotion SP 30

Boots Soltan Protect & Moisture spray SPF30

Garnier Ambre Solaire Kids Water Resistant Sun Cream Spray SPF50

Natalie Hitchins, for Which?, say: “e dey incredibly concerning say some big brands fail our tests and no offer di level of sun protection dem claim ontop di packaging.

“However, e dey great to see cheaper top-quality sunscreen options available for High Street and inside supermarkets at a time wia shoppers need affordable options.

"Our results prove say no need to splash out to keep you and your loved ones safe inside di sun dis summer and say many of di supermarket own-brand products fit do a good job.”

Which? also test how much energy e take for di backs of volunteers exposed to rays from ultraviolet (UV) lamps, with and without sunscreen to become red, and dem apply di lotions to glass plates to measure di amount of light dem filter.

Dem out some tests for 2023 and some in 2024.

One Asda spokesperson tell BBC News say: “We recently retest our Asda Protect Moisturising Sun Lotion SPF 30 High with one leading external provider using internationally recognised testing methods.

"Dis test results confirm say dis product get a sun-protection factor of 31.5 - and therefore, we no recognise di test results wey Which? publish.

“Wen Which? review dis same product for 2022, dem award am 'great value' at dat time and e pass dia SPF test.

"Di product formulation never change since den, so we go question di validity of dia test.”

One spokesperson from Calypso Sun tell BBC News say: "We go like to thank Which? for sharing dia 2024 study results - however, all our products dey carefully and independently tested and don pass, in accordance with EU standards and regulations.

"Calypso Sun go continue im proud commitment in providing safe-sun protection products for all di family, a promise we don consistently keep over several decades."

One spokesperson from Bondi Sands say: "All of our products undergo serious testing processes to ensure say dem meet and pass industry standards and requirements.

"Bondi Sands go work with Which? to better understand testing results."

Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association director Dr Emma Meredith say: “Na incredible amount of research go into developing and testing sunscreens to make sure say we fit trust di protection dem dey offer.

"Companies dey use supportive data and scientists with expert sun-care knowledge to check dia results and suppose only sell di product wen di whole package of development test data and di final sun-protection test results match.”

Prof Dorothy Bennet say UV light make pipo to produce essential vitamin D but also increase di risk of skin cancer - so controlling exposure dey key.

"E dey important say we fit depend on suncreams to provide di protection dem claim," she tok.

"We fit dey able to realise if protection dey lower by getting sunburn - but den too e go dey too late.

"E dey good say so many suncreams pass Which testing but disturbing say several creams fail to protect as dem advertise."

Suitable clothing

Prof Bennet say a number of reasons for di different results wey Which give fit dey? and some of di companies involve, including how thickly dem apply di sunscreen, on which part of di body and di exact waveband of UVB or UVA light used.

According to NHS advice:

No rely on sunscreen alone - wear suitable clothing and spend time under shade wen di sun dey at im hottest

Wen buying sunscreen, the label should show, at least, SPF of 30, to protect against UVB, and four-star UVA protection - di letters "UVA" in a circle indicate say e meet EU standard

Make sure say sunscreen no pass im expiry date

No spend any longer in di sun dan you go do if you no use sunscreen.