Garnier Ambre Solaire and Nivea have failed Which?’s sun protection test.
Household regulator Which? discovered that household brands, Garnier and Nivea aren’t doing enough to protect our skin from UVA or SPF.
The claims that the brands are making are falling short with Garnier’s Ambre Solaire Clear Protect Spray SPF30 failing the UVA test, while Nivea’s Kids Protect & Care SPF50+ Spray was found to be laking the full SPF protection which is particularly concerning considering children’s skin is more at risk from the sun.
To ensure that this wasn’t a fluke, the screams were tested again and found to be lacking, and have been placed on Which?’s list of ‘Don’t Buy’ that they recommend you avoid.
The brands have both come back disputing the claim with Nivea saying that independent testing had shown an SPF of 62, and a UVA protection factor of 25.8. Garnier has said that
‘Our UVA claims are supported by robust photoprotection testing carried out independently under ISO standard ISO 24443:2012 and meet the requirements of the European Recommendation for sun protection products.’
Ultimately, the choice is yours as to what sun cream you use, but making sure your child’s skin is well looked after from harmful rays is of the utmost priority.
Tips for keeping kids safe in the sun
1. Stay in the shade
Little kids should be kept in the shade in the middle of the day as the sun is at its strongest. Try and stay inside between 11am and 3pm, or use a parasol or play tent to provide you with some shade.
2. Use a good suncream
Make sure that your children wear sun cream over any skin that is exposed, using liberally on the shoulders, back of the neck nose, cheeks tops of their feet, and the tops of their ears. Choose a sunscreen that has a high SPF, at least 15, though 50 is recommended. It should have at least 4 stars for UVA protection.
3. Top up suncream
For ultimate sun protection, put sun cream on your child at least half an hour before heading outside, and remember to reapply throughout the day, especially if they have been swimming.
4. Always pack a sunhat
It is a good idea to make your child wear a floppy sunhat that protects their face and neck when they are in the sun, with a chinstrap stopping them from pulling it off!
5. Drink lots of water
Encourage your little ones to drink lots of water throughout the day, especially in warm weather/.
