Calypso Once a Day Sun Protection Lotion with SPF 50

Product Information

However, there's no agreed definition of 'reef-safe', research is still ongoing as to the impact of these chemicals, and our tests found many mineral suncreams failed to protect as claimed – so take any claims with a pinch of salt. Kids' sun cream From April to September, when the UV Index is generally higher. It takes 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure each day for those with fair-to-olive skin to get enough vitamin D. We award Which? Best Buy status to products that we've independently reviewed that meet all our tough criteria: they must pass independent lab tests for UVA and UVB sun protection, and be easy and pleasant to apply. For any product to provide the SPF it claims, you need to apply 2mg per square cm – which means around a teaspoonful of product for your face. And, just as with sun cream, it needs to be reapplied regularly. Remember, sun cream is just one part of staying safe in the sun and it's also really important to encourage kids (and adults) to:

We saw an average 74% decrease in SPF protection at the end of the tests. We shared our concerns with Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD). Both advise against relying on any sun cream for extended periods in the sun. Consider the time of day – If you're spending time in the sun without wearing sun cream, you should only do so before 11am or after 3pm, as the middle of the day is when you're at the greatest risk of getting burnt.Find out what you need to know about 'once a day' sun creams, water-resistant sun creams, sensitive sun screen and the best kids' sun cream too.

Dr Paul Banwell, who runs The Banwell Clinic and is the previous head and founder of The Melanoma and Skin Cancer Unit (MASCU) in East Grinstead, agrees. He told us: "I cannot emphasise enough the importance of selecting a broad spectrum sunscreen, which will protect against UVB and UVA rays. UVB rays cause redness and sunburn as well as skin cancer, while UVA rays can also cause cancer as well as ageing of the skin. Newer sunscreens have infrared (IR) protection too and should be considered." Sun creams to avoid: The warning signs to look out for Physical or mineral sun creams create a barrier on the skin that acts like a mirror, reflecting and scattering the UV light. Some people worry that using sun cream might prevent them from getting enough vitamin D, but this isn’t the case unless you really overdo it.There are a number of criteria to consider when choosing the best sun cream for your skin, and these include sun protection factor (SPF), UV protection, water resistance and sun cream type - as well as ease of application and how it feels on your skin. Eat well, live better and stay healthy - sign up for our free monthly Food & Health newsletter for the latest insights delivered straight to your inbox

We tested two popular sun creams in chlorinated water (to mimic a swimming pool) and salty water (to emulate the sea). We also added another scenario using fast-moving tap water to see what effect this had. Most of the time, the products weren't as effective in our more realistic conditions as they were in tap water. He added, "Other ingredients that may cause reactions include benzophenones, cinnamates and dibenzoylmethane. The industry guideline for water-resistant sun creams allows the SPF of a product to drop by 50% after a total of 40 minutes in water. Water-resistance testing also takes place in what is essentially a bath – using tap water.Dermatologist and cosmetologistDr Eva Melegh told us: "If you are prone to sensitive skin or you are applying suncream to children’s skin then you it’s best to opt for mineral sun creams as opposed to chemical filter ones, as they have less chance of causing a skin reaction to sensitive skin. If you have sensitive skin a very helpful product is Kalme Undercoatwhich is designed to wear under sun creams to reduce the risk of skin reactions."