Piz Buin 1 Day Long Lasting Sun Lotion SPF 30, 100 ml

Product Information

It’s no wonder that doctors, dermatologists and beauty editors alike will tell you that protecting your skin is of paramount importance. But sadly, not all sunscreens are created equal. As is often the case, it’s worth investing in a quality product that will do the job effectively and give you much-needed peace of mind whether you’re at the beach, park or just lounging in your garden. 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.

In 2016 Which? put several once-a-day sunscreens to the test, investigating how long they lasted on volunteers in a controlled lab experiment, and found they didn't offer nearly as much protection as claimed.If you don’t know your SPFs from your UVAs and UVBs, read on as we shed some light on what to look out for with our handy buying guide below – before listing our favourite sunscreens on the market right now.

Physical/mineral products reflect visible light as well as UV, which can make the formulations opaque and leave a white residue on the skin. Some formulations use nanoparticles of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide – the minerals responsible for the residue. Nanoparticles are smaller, and as they scatter visible light – rather than reflect it – the sun creams are transparent. How to use sun creamIt's clear that there are plenty of conditions to fulfil to get the claimed protection from once-a-day products, which may be hard to achieve if you're on a day out in the sun. There’s a long list of ingredients that are used as chemical absorbers, so it’s easiest to simply look for products that are labelled ‘sensitive’ rather than search for specific ingredients. SPF make-up: does it really offer protection from the sun?

Factor: For running, look for products with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more and with broad spectrum protection, says Austen. ‘Even with a high SPF, if a sunscreen isn't broad spectrum, you won't be protected from all UVA rays'. The British Association of Dermatologists suggests that an SPF of 30 and a star rating of four out of five is “generally considered as a good standard of sun protection” (as long as this is paired with protective clothing and periods spent in the shade). The EU recommendation is that creams should offer UVA protection that’s at least a third of the SPF, so if you see a bottle with the letters UVA in a circle, you can be assured that it meets this minimum requirement. Sunscreens that offer strong protection against both UVB and UVA radiation are termed “broad spectrum” products. For more details on the importance of vitamin D and where to buy supplements, see our in-depth vitamin D guide . Other ways to stay safe in the sunThe best sunscreens you can buy in 2023 1. Avène Intense Protect SPF 50+: Best sun cream for very sensitive skin Sweat-resistance: ‘You also want something highly water and sweat-resistant, meaning it won’t slide off or drip into your eyes during your workout,’ says Austen. 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. 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. 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.

UVA rays might not cause you to burn, but they do penetrate more deeply into the skin and play a greater role in premature skin ageing.

Yes, you can - but you’ll also need to reapply frequently, just like you would if you were on the beach staying dry, and immediately after towel drying.