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The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has called for clearer labelling on sunscreens after its survey reveals public confusion over protection ratings.

Only 8 per cent of respondents in the RPS survey knew that the SPF rating on the product label refers to protection from UVB rays only €“ and does not also include protection from harmful UVA rays €“ typically indicated by a separate 'star' rating. Over 80 per cent either thought the SPF indicated protection levels from both UVB and UVA, or they did not know what the rating meant.

The survey results showed a "huge" amount of confusion around sunscreen labelling that is a barrier to effective sun protection, said RPS Chief Scientist Professor Jayne Lawrence. €People should not have to pick their way through complicated dual ratings information to understand how sunscreen works and the amount of protection it potentially provides," she said. "We think it's time for sunscreen manufacturers to provide one easy to understand rating, based on a simple description of the total amount of sun protection offered: low, medium, high and very high protection."

Less than half of respondents always or often used sunscreen when out in the sun, while 31 pe cent either did not know how much lotion to apply or thought they should apply less than needed to ensure protection. Only 13 per cent said they reapplied sunscreen every two hours when out in sunny weather in the UK, as recommended.