Boots’ sunscreen lotion fails sun protection test, says Which?

Two sunscreens, including one manufactured by Boots, have failed sun protection tests, according to research conducted by the consumer watchdog Which? In the image, a woman puts on sunscreen lotion while on the beach

Two sunscreens, including one manufactured by Boots, have failed sun protection tests, according to research conducted by the UK consumer watchdog Which?. 

In total, 13 products were analysed using strict British Standard tests, says the watchdog. Of these, two failed. They were Boots-brand sunscreen, Soltan Protect & Moisturise Lotion SPF30, and Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion SPF30. Both products were found to provide around two thirds of the claimed level of sun protection. It has added the two products to its “don’t buy” list.

“Worryingly, Silk Hydration Lotion SPF30 (180ml) is the second Hawaiian Tropic product to fail our tests in the last two years,” Which? adds. 

However, Boots has defended its Soltan product, saying it “rigorously and independently” tests its 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,” it says.

A number of affordable products passed the sun protection test, Which? says, including own-brand lotions from Asda, Morrisons, Tesco and Sainsbury’s.

Last updated
Citation
The Pharmaceutical Journal, PJ, 6 June 2015, Vol 294, No 7865;294(7865):DOI:10.1211/PJ.2015.20068565

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