Work

Qualitative findings on consumer awareness of recommendations for effective sunscreen application

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To explore consumer understanding of regulated claims and expert recommendations for effective sunscreen application. METHODS: We used a Pragmatic Qualitative Research Design to explore sunscreen application practices and test sunscreen information. Five focus groups were conducted with Victorian adult sunscreen users. Subthemes were identified, cross-checked, iteratively refined and semi-quantified, consistent with a Qualitative Content Analysis approach. RESULTS: Most participants were confident they knew how to apply sunscreen effectively; however, their usual reported practices (especially reapplication) rarely met recommended standards. Most participants were not aware of recommendations to 'reapply sunscreen every 2 hours or more frequently after swimming, sweating and towel drying' and to use sunscreen 'when UV levels are 3 and above'. Understanding of labelling claims was poor; many mistakenly believed sunscreens labelled 'tested 4 hours water resistance' should be reapplied 4-hourly when swimming. Irrespective of usual behaviours, most preferred sunscreen labels to include standardised front-of-pack information on effective application and water resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Changes to labelling regulation are required to address misunderstanding about water resistance and ensure consumers receive clear, accurate and consistent information about effective sunscreen application. IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH: Labelling and communications strategies to improve consumer awareness of effective sunscreen application should be further explored.

Source: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100253

Authors: Anna Nicholson, Lucy Doherty, Anna Harrison, Helen Dixon

Institutions: The University of Melbourne, Cancer Council Victoria

Language: English

Topic: Skin Protection and Aging

Subfield: Dermatology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,600