Fewer than 4 in 10 adults in Great Britain have bought sunscreen so far this year, despite the high UV levels throughout the hot summer.*
Ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun and sunbeds is the main cause of skin cancer, which is a growing problem in the UK. Cases of melanoma, one of the most serious forms of skin cancer, are already at record highs across the country, with more than 20,000 people diagnosed in 2022. Projections suggest the number could exceed 26,000 by 2040.
Encouragingly, a survey of 30,000 people across England, Scotland and Wales has shown that 8.5% more people bought sunscreen this year than in 2025. This is the highest percentage in five years, equivalent to 1.6 million people nationwide. And nearly 3 in 10 adults across Britain are now buying SPF50, more than double the proportion buying any other SPF level.
However, despite the increases, it’s clear too few adults are buying and using sunscreen. Sunscreen expires, so reusing old tubes and bottles can mean people aren’t getting the protection they need. The survey, from Cancer Research UK’s partner NIVEA SUN and Worldpanel by Numerator, showed that fewer than 6 in 10 adults bought any sunscreen in the last two years.
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