Specialist Clothing
Cleaning & Hygiene
Excessive sun exposure can cause health risks ranging from sunburn and blistering to long-term issues like skin cancer or cataracts.
With this in mind, it’s best practice for employers to provide outdoor workers with high-factor sunblock and PPE, especially during high UV levels.
Luckily, you’re in the right place.
At SMI, we stock a wide range of sun protection creams and lotions to protect workers from the sun as well as other kinds of UV rays, like those used in welding.
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As a general rule, you should use a minimum of SPF 30 to protect against UVB rays daily.
Meanwhile, SPF 50 is preferable for extended time outdoors, as well as for sensitive skin or high altitudes.
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. It measures how well sunscreen protects against UVB rays.
For instance, factor 30 indicates that it would take 30 times longer to burn with sunscreen than without, while factor 50 indicates that it would take 50 times longer to burn with sunscreen than without.
The best sun cream in the UK will vary depending on factors like:
That said, the most protective sun cream will have an SPF of 50+ and a 5-star UVA rating.
Meanwhile, the best sunscreen for solar urticaria will contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to reflect the full spectrum of UV and visible light that triggers urticaria.
Likewise, the best mineral sunscreen for rosacea will also use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to soothe skin and provide anti-inflammatory benefits.
The highest factor sun cream you can find in the UK is factor 50+.
Technically, you could have a sun cream that claims to be SPF 100, but this is often seen as a bit of a gimmick and is forbidden in many markets.
SPF 50 already blocks 98% of UVB rays (when used correctly), so any additional protection will be negligible and may give a false sense of security.
That said, you should also look for a high UVA rating to make sure you’re protected from UVA rays as well as UVB. The highest is 5 stars.
The best form of sun protection is a multi-pronged approach, rather than just one method.
For the best protection, combine:
The terms ‘sunscreen,’ ‘sun cream,’ and ‘sunblock’ are often used interchangeably. However, there is a subtle difference in how they work.
Sunscreen generally absorbs UV rays, while sunblock reflects them.
Meanwhile, sun cream is a common term that encompasses both, referring specifically to creamy lotions.
All these types of sun protection are effective, as long as they’re broad-spectrum, have adequate SPF and UVA ratings, and are reapplied regularly.
You can buy sun protection for workplace use right here at SMI!
We stock a wide range of sunscreens and lotions of various SPF ratings, designed to protect outdoor workers.
Plus, explore our wider range of skincare products, including soaps, hand sanitiser, and bulk-fill dispensers.
