Martin Lewis has urged anyone buying or using sun cream to turn the bottle around. The consumer champion explained that this simple check could help shoppers save cash by making the most of leftover bottles from previous hot spells.
The Simple Trick to Save Money on Sun Cream
Speaking on his podcast, Martin shared a clever trick for anyone who stocked up on sun cream during the recent May bank holiday weekend scorcher. He said: "When you get your sun cream, turn the bottle around. On the back, you'll see a PAO number. It's usually 12 or 24 months."
The MoneySavingExpert founder explained that the Period After Opening (PAO) number, usually found on the back of the bottle, indicates how long the product remains effective after opening. "So then, when you do open it, put a little note of what date, write that onto the sunscreen and you'll know if you try to use it in a year's time, whether it's still valid or not. Hopefully, if you've got 24 months, you won't need to buy a new one thinking, 'Oh, I'd better chuck that away - it's too old,' because it'll still be valid and you save yourself a little bit of cash," he added.
Additional Advice from MoneySavingExpert
Martin's team at MoneySavingExpert shared the same advice on the website's Instagram handle, adding: "This way, if you have some left over next year, or even the year after, you'll know if it'll still work. And if you've got some you know is past its prime, don't chuck it out - it can be used as a body lotion!"
Heatwave Prompts Health Warnings
The tip follows a sizzling May bank holiday weekend, where temperatures soared towards a blistering 33 degrees Celsius. An amber heat warning remains in place today as forecasters warn that thermometers could climb even higher, prompting health officials to issue urgent safety reminders.
Families are being urged to take care and enjoy the sun responsibly during the extreme heat, with the NHS advising people to seek shade when the sun is at its strongest between 11am and 3pm. The health authority warns: "Sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. Sunburn does not just happen on holiday. You can burn, even when it's cloudy. There's no safe or healthy way to get a tan. A tan does not protect your skin from the sun's harmful effects. Aim to strike a balance between protecting yourself from the sun and getting enough vitamin D from sunlight."
NHS Sun Safety Recommendations
To stay safe, the NHS advises using at least factor 30 sunscreen, reapplying it frequently and covering up with suitable clothing and sunglasses. "Do not rely on sunscreen alone to protect yourself from the sun. Wear suitable clothing and spend time in the shade when the sun's at its hottest," it adds.
Choosing the Right Sun Cream
Shoppers are also advised to look for at least 4-star UVA protection when buying sun cream. The letters 'UVA' inside a circle on the packaging indicate that the product meets required safety standards.
