Key points:
- SPF ratings offer no indication of UVA protection
- The easiest way to check that your sun cream’s UV rating is to look for the UVA symbol
- To protect skin from UVA and UVB rays, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen regularly
- All Green People sunscreens are broad-spectrum and offer effective UVA and UVB protection
As natural and organic sun protection experts, we are often asked, ‘What is a good UV rating sunscreen?’.
Many people do not know that sun cream's SPF rating of SPF15, SPF30 or SPF50 only refers to protection from UVB radiation (the rays that burn). SPF ratings offer no indication of UVA protection (the rays that cause ageing and skin cancer).
To make sun cream shopping even more confusing, it's easy to get misled by UVA star rating claims used for marketing.
But you needn’t worry. All Green People sunscreens offer broad-spectrum sun protection, protecting against UVA and UVB rays. We guarantee that the UVA is at least 1/3 of the stated SPF. We also proudly display the 'UVA' logo on our packaging. This symbol signifies that our product meets the EU's UVA protection requirements.
Charlotte says:
“Effective sunscreens should offer broad-spectrum protection to shield against both UVA and UVB rays, with the EU requiring UVA protection to be at least one-third of the labelled SPF”.
Explore our natural and organic sun cream collection now or scroll on to discover how to check that your sun care products offer UVA protection.
What are UVA rays?
Did you know that sunlight is made of many different frequencies and ranges, including Ultra Violet (UV) light? Invisible to the eye, this comes in three forms:
- UVA The majority of the UV light that reaches earth is UVA. This long-wave form of ultraviolet light can reach deep into the skin and has been associated with causing premature skin-ageing as well as long-term DNA damage that can lead to skin cancer. UVA will not cause sunburn but can interact with skin even on dull, grey days, by passing through cloud cover and windows.
- UVB reaches the outer layers of skin, causing redness and burning
- UVC is filtered out by the earth's atmosphere and doesn’t reach us
It is important to apply sun cream regularly and liberally to maintain high protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
Cancer Research recommends applying sunscreen thickly and evenly at least 30 minutes before heading out and then reapplying just before leaving. Their sunscreen safety guidance also advises avoiding direct exposure between 11:00 and 15:00, when the sun’s harmful rays are strongest[i].
How to check UVA rating
The easiest way to check that your sun cream’s UV rating is to look for this UV symbol:
The European Cosmetics Association COLIPA issues this verification of UV protection, and we’re proud to display it on the front of our sun cream tubes.
Whenever you see this symbol, you can be sure that your sunscreen offers UVA protection in line with the European Commission's recommendations. These states that the claimed UVA protection factor should be 1/3 of the claimed SPF number. Independent tests show that Green People sunscreens all exceed this.
Some people rely on the star rating to check their sun cream's UVA protection. Created by Boots the Chemist in 1992, this rating rates the percentage of UVA radiation absorbed by the sun cream from one to five, with a five-star sun care rating being the highest amount.
Green People is not sold in Boots and does not use this Boots-owned star rating.
Get the UV protection you expect
While looking for these symbols will tell you whether your sunscreen protects against UVA, you will not get the protection you expect unless you follow the application instructions and apply your sun cream liberally and often.
The NHS recommends applying 6-8 tablespoons of sun cream to cover an adult's body[i]. This amount should be used every 2-3 hours to maintain adequate protection and reapplied after swimming or vigorous sweating.
Avoid direct sun exposure between 11am and 3pm when the sun’s harmful rays are strongest, and don’t risk getting caught out by cloud cover. Sun cream is a non-negotiable skin care step and should be applied daily, whatever the weather!
This applies regardless of what SPF you are using. Read more about how to apply sun cream.
Best UVA & UVB sunscreen for face and body
Protect your skin from sun damage from head to toe with our best-selling Scent Free Sun Cream SPF30.
Scent Free Sun Cream SPF30 200ml
Protect sensitive skin naturally with our best-selling SPF30 sun cream
£32.50
Enriched with high-factor SPF30, this dermatologically tested, broad-spectrum sun cream uses a combination of safe, non-toxic UV filters and the natural protection of Edelweiss to shield skin from UVA and UVB damage. It is clinically proven to be kind to sensitive skin.
Found in our Sun Care Essentials set, it comes in a travel-friendly 30ml, 100ml, or 200ml tube so that you can protect and soothe wherever you go.
Organic Sun Essentials Set
Protect from dawn-to-dusk with this travel-size natural sun care set
£20.00
Best UVA & UVB sunscreen for tanning
Looking to top up your tan whilst protecting yourself with a broad-spectrum sun cream?
Offering broad-spectrum SPF15 sun protection, our Edelweiss Sun Cream with Tan Accelerator can help you develop a fast natural tan.
Edelweiss Sun Cream with Tan Accelerator - SPF15 200ml
Enhance your tan naturally with this SPF15 + tan accelerator
£30.00
Enriched with SPF15, it provides medium-strength sun protection that fast-tracks your tan by pairing broad-spectrum UV filters with a natural tan accelerator derived from the Carob tree.
Shown to reduce tan fade by as much as 50%, this speeds up the tanning process by almost 25%, giving you a faster tan and faster protection.
Best UVA & UVB sunscreen for kids
Shocking statistics from the Association of British Dermatologists suggest that “a quarter of the lifetime UV damage suffered by our skin occurs before the age of 20, [ii] meaning that a broad-spectrum sunscreen for children is all the more important.
With children’s delicate skin particularly vulnerable to sun damage, we offer a choice of high-factor kids' sun care products, including SPF30 and SPF50.
Dermatologically tested and clinically proven to be kind to sensitive skin, these are suitable for use from age 6 months and can be used alongside UV-protected clothing.
Our best-selling SPF30 children’s sun cream is particularly popular for kids with ultra-sensitive skin as it is unscented.
Organic Children Scent Free Sun Cream - SPF30 150ml
Discover peace-of-mind protection with our best-selling kids’ SPF30 sun cream
£29.00
If you prefer a higher factor, our Lavender-scented SPF50 kids’ sun cream is a gentle, natural choice for babies and children.
Organic Children Lavender Sun Cream SPF50 100ml
Discover peace-of-mind protection with our SPF50 sun cream for kids.
£29.00
“I love this sun cream! It smells amazing, sinks in quickly and factor 50 gives me peace of mind knowing that my children are protected. It’s kind to skin and planet which is important to me. Will repurchase!” Emili
We hope you have found our guide to UVA sun protection helpful. For help building your best sun protection routine, head over to our sun care routine finder. You can also contact our friendly UK customer care team on 01403 740350 or @GreenPeopleUK.
This blog post has been reviewed by Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People, who has over 30 years of experience in the natural and organic beauty industry. A recognised leader in the field of organic beauty, Charlotte helped inform the UK's first organic beauty standards and was voted the People’s Choice in the 2023 and 2024 list of Who’s Who in Natural Beauty. A published author, she wrote the organic beauty bible ‘Naturally Gorgeous’. Previously, she qualified as a nurse and spent over 10 years working in pharmaceuticals.
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