Key Points at a Glance
- It's certainly no secret that too much sun is bad for our skin.
- Sunscreen comes in many different forms. But you still need to use it even when the summer sky is partly cloudy.
- The question, however, is whether sunscreen, sun oil, and after-sun products can live up to their promises.
- Which sunscreen can you really count on?
Only for those who truly hate summer does the heart rate not rise when the scent of sunscreen wafts into their noses. Everyone else associates the scent of sunscreen with the carefree feeling of the few warm months of the year, with vacations in the south, or with a relaxing summer afternoon at the lake or the outdoor pool. We all know by now that applying sunscreen is a must. But which sunscreens can we really rely on?
Sun protection is essential—but is it effective?
In German-speaking countries, the well-known “Stiftung Warentest” assesses the quality of all kinds of products; in Switzerland, there are partner organizations such as the “Stiftung für Konsumentenschutz” and the “Fédération romande des consommateurs.” Sunscreen, tanning oil, and after-sun lotions are also regularly put to the test. Reliability is especially important for these types of products—after all, our health depends directly on them.
That's reason enough to take a closer look at the research conducted by these institutions and ask which sunscreens and lotions we can really rely on.
The water resistance of sunscreen products leaves much to be desired
The products were tested in various categories, including water resistance. After all, no one wants to have to reapply sunscreen or spray on more every time they go for a swim in the ocean or the pool. It would be helpful if the sunscreen—after being applied and given some time to absorb into the skin—didn’t get washed off by water.
In this category, sun protection doesn't fare quite as well. Water and sunscreen don't mix very well, which is why it's recommended to reapply sunscreen after every time you go for a swim.
It's the amount that matters when it comes to sun protection
You often see on bottles and tubes that even a small amount of sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF) is sufficient. While this may be true for some products, overall, you’re well advised not to skimp when applying or spraying it on. After all, it’s the amount that matters. Stiftung Warentest has calculated that, to ensure the SPF listed on the tube is actually achieved, a person who is 1.80 m tall needs about three tablespoons of sunscreen.
That's about 40 milliliters. So if you're planning a two-week beach vacation, you should expect to use at least three 200-milliliter tubes.
What does all this tell us about the reliability of sunscreen products?
The good news, however, is that sunscreen almost always does what it’s supposed to do. The tests yielded positive results almost across the board. The radiation protection in all products matches what’s printed on the tube, so protection against UVA and UVB rays is guaranteed. The answer to the original question is therefore that sunscreen is reliable—if you use it correctly.
By the way, this also includes knowing the right SPF. Better to err on the side of too high than too low—that’s the rule of thumb here, especially for children and people with fair skin. When it comes to price, however, that’s not the case: The study found that inexpensive sunscreens provide just as much protection as the expensive ones.
