The one thing to check before applying SPF this summer

Summer is finally here, and with the warm weather set to continue across the UK and the peak holiday season just around the corner, it’s safe to say that demand for SPF products is soaring.

UK beauty retailer M&S reports, in the last month alone, there have been 656,000 Google searches for SPF products in the UK.

While many may be looking to purchase new SPF products this summer, others are reaching for products they already have. However, beauty experts at M&S are urging people to check this one thing on their old SPF products before using them.

Viral TikTok urges Britons to check this one thing before applying SPF this summer

A TikTok video posted by @dr.nora.uk has recently gone viral, receiving over 275,000 views. In the video, Dr Nora, explains how someone contacted her asking for advice, after they’d used an SPF50 sun cream but still managed to significantly burn.

In the video, Dr Nora, explains exactly why this happened and how to prevent it.

In agreement with Dr Nora, Eva Ocampo, Beauty Tech Lead at M&S comments: “If you’re contemplating using an SPF which you’ve had for a while, be sure to turn it around and check the back of the product.

“On the back of the product, there should be a PAO (Period After Opening) logo which is a small pot icon with a figure in it e.g. 12M.

“The purpose of this is to determine how long the product remains safe and suitable after the consumer opening accounting for contamination risks, repeated exposure to air and the handling and storage of the product. For SPF products, this also considers potential loss of SPF performance after opening, the oxidation of certain UV filters and the stability of boosters and oxidants in the product. “If the product displays 12M, this means the product should not be used after 12 months from opening it. In this case, after 12 months, the UV filters have started to break down, no longer provide full protection from the sun. "For the best sun protection, we recommend starting each summer with a new SPF. Over time, UV filters can become less effective, particularly if a product has been opened and stored through changing temperatures. Using a fresh SPF each season helps ensure you're getting the level of protection you expect when enjoying the sun."