FOUR top sun cream brands fail to meet NHS guidance on the minimum level of UV protection.
Health officials recommend Brits use lotions with a UVA star rating of at least four.
But Garnier Ambre Solaire, Hawaiian Tropic, Piz Buin and Bondi Sands all sell products with just three.
The bottles, which cost the same as those offering the advised protection, are on shelves in Boots, Superdrug and supermarkets.
The SPF - or sun protection factor - number indicates how well a sunscreen protects against sunburn (UVB), while the UVA number denotes the percentage of UVA radiation that’s absorbed compared to UVB.
For both, the higher the number, the better the protection.
UVA and UVB are damaging to the skin, but UVA penetrates more deeply. Both play a role in skin cancer.
To meet EU standards, the ratio of UVA to UVB protection must be 1:3. This is denoted by the letters 'UVA' inside a circle.
But the NHS says products should also carry a four-star rating or above, whatever the SPF, as it isn't the only measure of effectiveness.
“When buying sunscreen, the label should have an SPF of at least 30 to protect against UVB and at least four-star UVA protection,” the health service states.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which sets the guidelines, adds: “To reduce the risks of sunlight exposure, sunscreen should meet minimum standards for UVA protection.
“The label should have the letters 'UVA' in a circle logo and it should be at least four‑star UVA protection.”
It's not that a product below this threshold doesn't work, but a higher rating means better protection.
Charities and health bodies warn that poor sun protection puts people at risk of severe burns and skin cancer.
Dr Emma Meredith, director general at the Cosmetic Toiletry & Perfumery Association, said: "Protecting our skin from the damaging effects of the sun is important, and sunscreens are one part of a sun-safe regime.
"There is a wide range of sun protection products available to suit all skin types, lifestyles and budgets.
"When buying a sunscreen, we should always choose a product that provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
"We should look for a product with the SPF number to best suit our skin type, that has the letters ‘UVA’ in a circle symbol, that is water-resistant, and has an application method that suits our needs."
Dr Claire Knight, from Cancer Research UK, added: "When buying sunscreen, make sure you choose one with an SPF of at least 15, as well as four or five stars.
"Use it generously – applying thickly and evenly – and reapply often throughout the day.
"The price or brand doesn’t matter. Even if the label says once a day or waterproof, make sure you put plenty on and reapply throughout the day."
But she added that sunscreen is only part of the puzzle when it comes to sun safety.
This is not an exhaustive list. Please check bottles before buying.
Spending time in the shade and covering up with clothing are the "best and cheapest" ways to protect yourself against damage, Dr Knight said.
A spokesperson for Hawaiian Tropic said: "Higher UVA protection does not necessarily correlate to higher UVB protection.
"All Hawaiian Tropic suncare products marketed in the EU have a minimum of 1/3 ratio of UVA to UVB, so the higher the SPF, the higher the UVA protection.
"While SPF and UVA testing and labelling are required as per the EU Commission recommendation 2006/647/EC for sunscreen, star ratings are not in the scope of this recommendation."
Garnier Ambre Solaire, Piz Buin and Bondi Sands were unavailable to comment.
At least 100,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year, and the disease kills more than 2,500 annually, according to the British Skin Foundation.
Experiencing severe sunburn, particularly in childhood, increases the risk of developing it in later life.
THE star rating for sun cream bottles was developed to illustrate the balanced protection that a product offers against both UVA and UVB rays.
The index ranges from 0 to 5 stars. These indicate the percentage of UVA radiation absorbed by the sunscreen in comparison to UVB.
The higher number of stars means the more balanced that protection is.
You may also see the letters 'UVA' in a circle, which means the product has been approved by the EU.
It is another way of saying that the product provides good balanced protection against UVA and UVB.
Why should people care about choosing a sunscreen with high SPF and high UV protection?
Extended exposure to the sun can lead to skin damage, experts say.
There are four types of skin damage: skin ageing, hyperpigmentation, sunburns, and skin cancer.
"By protecting yourself from the sun, you reduce the likelihood of damaging your skin," the British Association of Dermatologists says.
"Make use of the shade during the hours of high intensity (11am and 3pm in the UK typically), wear clothing that will shade your skin, and use sunscreen with at least SPF30 and either the UVA logo or 4 to 5 stars, making sure you’re applying it well and re-applying it regularly."
Source: British Association of Dermatologists
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