A £28 sunscreen marketed as ideal for families has failed safety tests conducted by consumer watchdog Which?, while budget alternatives costing as little as £2.99 have passed with flying colours.
The testing revealed that Ultrasun Family SPF30, which claims to be "perfect for the whole family" and "especially suitable for children with sensitive skin", failed to meet industry standards for both sun protection factor and UV protection.
The findings suggest users of the premium product may not receive adequate protection from harmful ultraviolet rays, potentially increasing their risk of developing skin cancer.
The consumer body's testing involved applying sunscreen to volunteers' backs before exposing the treated skin to a lamp simulating the sun's rays. Scientists then measured how long it took for the skin to redden.
The findings suggest users of the products may not receive adequate protection
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Ultrasun defended its product, with a spokesman saying: "As an independent brand delivering very high UVB and UVA protection options for over 30 years, our detailed testing processes, independent and peer reviewed, continue to not only meet but surpass industry standards.
"Our chosen testing protocol is one of the strictest available."
Morrisons' Moisturising Sun Spray SPF30, priced at £3.75, joined Ultrasun on Which?'s Don't Buy list after failing the tests.
The retailer said it is looking closely at the data and working with suppliers to carry out further testing.
The company questioned Which?'s methodology and stated their own independent tests showed the product achieved an SPF of 31.4.
Budget-friendly alternatives significantly outperformed the expensive Ultrasun product in Which?'s rigorous testing.
Aldi's Lacura Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF50+ emerged as a standout performer at just £2.99, earning a Which? Great Value badge at £1.50 per 100ml.
Other supermarket own-brands that successfully passed the safety tests included Lidl's Cien Sun Spray 30SPF High at £3.79, Sainsbury's Sun Protect Moisturising Lotion SPF30 at £5.50, and Boots' Soltan Protect & Moisturise Suncare Spray SPF30, also priced at £5.50.
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The NHS recommends applying sunscreen generously for optimal protection
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Nivea's Sun Protect and Moisture Lotion SPF30, costing £7.90, similarly met all safety standards.
To effectively protect the skin against cancer with sunscreen, the NHS recommends applying the product generously.
All exposed skin should be covered, and reapplication should be frequent, especially after swimming or sweating.
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