A popular sun cream for kids has failed tests by a products and services reviewer.
Which? tested Nivea’s Kids Protect & Care SPF50+ and claimed it failed our SPF test, "falling far short of the SPF50 claim on the bottle".
They say a further test on a second sample found the measured SPF "was even lower".
A spokesperson for Which? added: "Based on our testing, we don’t think this product provides the protection you would expect, so we’ve labelled it a Don’t Buy."
In response, Which says Beiersdorf, maker of Nivea, told them: "The safety of our products is of utmost importance. Nivea Sun prides itself on its decades of experience in sun care, and when this product was independently tested in 2019 it achieved an SPF of 62. When we re-checked this batch, the result was a UVA protection factor of 25.8. Based on this data and our comprehensive quality requirements, we disagree with the Which? findings."
Which? also says Garnier Ambre Solaire Clear Protect Spray SPF30 failed its SPF test.
"When we tested this spray, two separate samples failed our UVA tests. While the results were close to the minimum required for it to pass, neither sample quite made the grade and so we’re recommending that you don’t buy it," Which? said.
The website says that L’Oreal, maker of Garnier Ambre Solaire disputes these findings as "it has run independent tests of the UVA properties of the product which show that it passes the tests, complies with all applicable standards and provides proper sun protection for consumers".
Which? says a spokesperson added: "Garnier Ambre Solaire has been the expert at suncare innovation for over 85 years and is the only suncare brand with research recognised by the British Skin Foundation. We take product efficacy very seriously. Our UVA claims are supported by robust photoprotection testing carried out independently under ISO standard ISO 24443:2012 and meet the requirements of the European Recommendation for sun protection products. Given this, we are very surprised by the Which? results."
The website says 10 adult sun creams and three kids’ ones passed both their UVA and SPF tests, including some good value options.
The children's options that passed the test are Boots Soltan Kids Protect & Moisturise Suncare Lotion, £4/200ml, Childs Farm Sun Cream, £12/125ml and Garnier Ambre Solaire Kids Sensitive Sun Protection Lotion, £7/200ml.
