Family history is also important when it comes to your risk of melanoma, with it playing a part in around one in ten cases. The Lancaster brand was formed in 1946 by two visionaries: Georges Wurz and Dr Eugène Frezzatti. They aimed to get women excited about their skin again after the Second World War, and set about bottling up age-defying technologies. With a royal history extending to legendary ambassadors such as Princess Grace Kelly, it's no wonder that in 2021 the brand is still at the forefront of the protective skincare industry. These days the brand is perhaps best known for its contribution to sun care and tanning products, which first shot to fame in 1971.

PA Rating: Seen mostly on American and International brands. The higher the number of + after the PA the better (the highest rating is PA++++). It's not really recognised as the best way to show protection here in the UK. Why is it so important to use the best sun cream? Dispensed as a fine mist, those like La Roche Posay Anthelios Invisible Spray SPF50+ and Vichy Capital Soleil Solar Protective Water Hydrating SPF50, are so lightweight, you could almost forget you were wearing sun cream altogether.

This is especially true of the latest SPF50 oil-in-water hybrids, which are as far from a traditional suncream as you can get.

There are lots of little symbols and numbers on sun cream bottles, which can be confusing, so here's a little guide to help you decipher the information.

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You want your suncream to protect against both UVA (the skin ageing rays) and UVB (the burning rays). Look for the term broad-spectrum, as this indicates the formula contains adequate protection against both types of rays. However, it's a good idea to pay closer attention to the individual levels of both UVA and UVB protection. UVB protection: New technology means that the latest sunscreens are now genuinely invisible on application. Oh-so sheer that they glide over the skin as light as coconut water.

UVA Seal: This is the most common UVA rating. It's the letters UVA in a circle and has been classed as sufficient protection. It broadly protects skin against UVBs, UVAs, visible light and infrared rays, shielding it from sun-induced damage, and strengthening its resistance against future sun damage. The formula also prevents and helps to correct wrinkles, fine lines and dark spots. Skin hydration and texture are improved and skin's natural luminosity is enhanced. Skin is even and youthful looking with an immediate natural glow, all year round. To protect against ageing, skin-damaging rays, you should look for UVA protection. You want to make sure your suncream protects against UVA rays because they travel deeper into the skin where they can trigger pigmentation, wrinkles and loss of firmness. This protection is indicated in various forms, depending on where the sun cream is from. The advanced Sun Perfect Sun Illuminating Cream offers Lancaster's exclusive and advanced Full Light Technology that targets 100% of the sun spectrum* alongside Anti-ageing Technology, natural-origin Sun Repair System and Glow Booster Complex. Melanoma is a type of cancer that starts in the pigment cells in your skin – called melanocytes—and can spread to other parts of your body. Thought mainly to be due to sun exposure, the incidence is increasing and unfortunately in some cases can be life-threatening. What are the causes of melanoma?

Will you be claiming the VAT back?

We chatted with Jo Stoddart, Cancer Specialist at Bupa UK, about the importance of protecting your skin from the sun.