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suncream image via Shutterstock

Two leading suncreams are not protecting you as much as they say

Both of the failed products were found to offer just two -thirds of the SPF they claimed.

TESTS CONDUCTED BY UK consumer watchdog Which? have revealed that two leading suncreams are failing to deliver the SPF claimed on their packaging.

Boots Soltan Protect & Moisturise Lotion SPF30 and Hawaiin Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion SPF30 both failed SPF tests twice.

A total of 13 creams with a claimed SPF of 30 were tested, including other popular brands like Nivea, and Piz Buin, as well as own-brand products from supermarkets like Tesco.

Which? said it used strict British standard tests to assess whether the suncream actually offered the SPF claimed on the label, as well as the protection provided against UVA.

Both of the failed products were found to offer just two -thirds of the SPF they claimed.

Which? Which?

“We don’t think you can rely on products which have failed our tests to provide the level of protection you’d expect, so we’ve named them Don’t Buys,” the consumer watchdog said today.

Which? said they contacted Boots and Hawaiian Tropic about their results and both manufacturers told them they conduct their own testing and stand by their SPF claims.

Commenting today, the watchdog’s executive director, Richard Lloyd said consumers must be able to trust and rely on the information provided by manufacturers. He said it is disappointing to see well-known brands falling short.

“We want them to take action to ensure their products deliver the promised protection.”

Speaking about stocking the products, Boots Ireland, said: 

“At Boots customer safety is paramount and we rigorously and independently test our products to ensure the appropriate level of safety and efficacy in compliance with EU Regulations. We are confident that all of our sun care products, including Boots Soltan Protect & Moisturise Lotion SPF30, meet the SPF labelling claim and customers can rely on them to provide the level of protection expected.”

You can view the full sun cream test results here.

Read: Suncream is really bad for the ocean>

Read: HSE: Older people, children and manual workers risk ‘serious harm’ in heatwave>

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26 Comments
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    Mute Ben Dawkins
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    May 15th 2015, 6:27 PM

    I avoid sunburn by staying in the bar.

    255
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    Mute bo jangles
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    May 15th 2015, 7:15 PM

    Long sleeve shirts and my epic beardage does the job in the beer garden.

    40
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    Mute Johnny Bravo
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    May 15th 2015, 7:55 PM

    Always new your were a Barstooler ben ! And you’ve just confirmed it

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    Mute Emmet Kilbride
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    May 15th 2015, 7:06 PM
    178
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    Mute John Ryan
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    May 15th 2015, 8:07 PM

    Got a bottle last year.Its probably good in the event of a nuclear strike aswell.No messing about kinda stuff.

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    Mute Tony Le Blanc
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    May 15th 2015, 9:14 PM

    Good man John! LOL

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    Mute Pauliebhoy
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    May 15th 2015, 6:30 PM

    So what it says on the bottle is Fiction not Factor

    147
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    Mute John Deane
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    May 15th 2015, 7:00 PM

    I’m pale as a sheet Lol

    31
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    Mute Tony Murphy
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    May 15th 2015, 9:28 PM

    Can we sue them for wrinkles??? I have to screw my cap on these days.

    27
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    Mute John
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    May 15th 2015, 8:18 PM

    Sunscreen in Ireland? Look out the window.

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    Mute Deirdre McDonnell
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    May 16th 2015, 3:58 AM

    Doesn’t matter if it’s not sunny! I’ve worn factor 50 on my face since am 20 even in winter! Women on the pill should always wear a high factor as you can get pigmentation marks. Honestly look it up!

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    Mute TonyD2469
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    May 15th 2015, 7:23 PM

    How do they test these products?

    21
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    Mute Tweety McTweeter
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    May 15th 2015, 7:52 PM

    Shaved lab rats. They lather them up and stick them into a sunbed for couple of hours. If they come out crispy, the sun cream fails

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    Mute Mike
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    May 15th 2015, 6:26 PM

    I highly recommend Lancaster sun cream.

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    Mute Drew
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    May 15th 2015, 7:01 PM

    Honestly wouldn’t trust the own brand always on sale 3 for 2 sunscreen…. Not the sort of thing you should cut costs on. I’m pretty sure the same boxes of it come out year after year, you could be getting a 3 year old bottle.

    But then I’m on meds that mean I’m at a much higher risk of skin cancer. So am always more careful.

    13
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    Mute Mike
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    May 15th 2015, 7:14 PM

    Lidl suncream is one of the best suncreams on the high street. Also Boots own brand.

    32
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    Mute Mike
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    May 15th 2015, 7:22 PM

    Malibu sun cream.

    SPF test performance: FAIL
    UVA test performance: FAIL
    Overall pass: FAIL

    29
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    Mute Jack Bowden
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    May 15th 2015, 7:25 PM

    Boots Soltan also turns your white clothes a dirty orange colour as well as not being as effective as it says on the label.

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    Mute Andrea Rock Massey
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    May 15th 2015, 7:27 PM

    Is Soltan one of Boots own brands?

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    Mute Drew
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    May 15th 2015, 7:31 PM

    There’s what’s available on the highstreet… Then there’s a dermatologist’s office.

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    Mute Peter McGlynn
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    May 15th 2015, 7:42 PM

    How about looking at the codes. You’ll find that many lidl/Aldi “own brands” are branded goods repackaged. Look for the product code.

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    Mute Suzie Sunsine
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    May 15th 2015, 8:03 PM

    That’s the first I’ve heard ?

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    Mute Marie Berrill
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    May 16th 2015, 10:03 AM

    Own brands do not try to screw big profits from us.

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    Mute Marie Berrill
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    May 16th 2015, 10:05 AM

    Interesting, must investigate. What code, where, how do you know what they mean?

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    Mute Oisin Murray
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    May 16th 2015, 10:25 AM

    Be much funnier if they used a pic of a pasty overweight Irish person! Truth is always funnier…!

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    Mute abc defg
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    May 16th 2015, 4:44 PM

    Its lucky that I dont use sunscreen so…

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