An urgent warning has been issued to Brits to make sure they check their sun tan lotion. With summer looming, more and more of us are booking summer holidays with the hope of topping up our tan and enjoying some warm weather.
But consumer group Which? says people should check their sun tan lotion before they go, or it may not offer anywhere near the level of protection you think. In a post shared on Instagram, it explained that the period after opening (PAO) symbol was crucial.
In the UK and EU, cosmetic products do not have expiry dates, but the PAO symbol shows how long a product should last. The symbol is usually denoted by an open jar or pot with a number followed by an ‘M’, denoting how many months it will last after being opened.
Using sun cream which has been open longer than the PAO label might mean it is not offering the required level of protection. On its Instagram feed, Which? said: “Heading out into the sun this summer? Then you cannot afford to ignore this symbol.
“The period after opening jar symbol shows how many months cosmetic products such as sun screan are effective after first opened. If it is past its use-by, don’t risk it – get yourself a nice, new bottle. Before you do buy any sun screen, be sure to head to which.co.uk to find out the very best options, including some great value, super-cheap ones from your local supermarket.”
Which? suggests writing the PAO date in marker pen on the side of the container the moment you open it. The PAO date could be crucial, as sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer, according to the NHS. Sunburn does not just happen on holiday – you can burn in the UK, even when it is cloudy.
“There’s no safe or healthy way to get a tan. A tan does not protect your skin from the sun’s harmful effects,” the NHS warns. “Aim to strike a balance between protecting yourself from the sun and getting enough vitamin D from sunlight.”
Nico Shaw Núñez, head of International growth and regulatory services at the Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association, said: “We’re often asked whether the PAO matters – and our answer is always the same. Yes! The products you enjoy on your skin, hair, teeth and more every day are created under very particular conditions, which means when you buy them, they haven’t been contaminated by microorganisms (bacteria, yeast and moulds).
“From the very first time you open them, the PAO clock starts ticking because you start to introduce those microorganisms.”
According to Cancer Research UK, there are more than 17,500 new cases of melanoma skin cancer every year in the UK, resulting in more than 2,000 deaths. It estimates around 86 per cent of all cases are preventable. The primary cause of melanoma skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet radiation, particularly from the sun, but also from tanning beds.