Sun Safety · Skin Cancer Prevention · UV Protection

Every
Tan IsDamage.

UV radiation silently destroys skin cells. By the time damage is visible, it’s been building for decades. The tools on this page give you the knowledge — and the habits — to stop it today.

1 in 5
Will develop
skin cancer
80%
UV damage before
age 18
2hr
Reapply
window
UV radiation is the leading cause of skin cancerSPF 50+ is the gold standardReapply every 2 hours80% of UV penetrates cloudsA tan is DNA damageTanning beds increase melanoma risk by 75%Broad spectrum = UVA + UVB protectionUV radiation is the leading cause of skin cancerSPF 50+ is the gold standardReapply every 2 hours80% of UV penetrates cloudsA tan is DNA damageTanning beds increase melanoma risk by 75%Broad spectrum = UVA + UVB protection
Step 01 — Know Your Risk

What’s Your
UV Index?

UV radiation reaches you year-round. Drag the slider to your UV Index — the number updates in real time with precise protection guidance.

5
Moderate
UV Index5 — Moderate
LowModerateHighVery HighExtreme
Protection Recommended
    The Science

    Two Rays.
    Both Lethal.

    UV radiation is invisible — but the cellular damage it causes is permanent. Your broad-spectrum sunscreen must fight both.

    UVA
    Ageing + Deep Damage
    Penetrates to the dermis — the skin’s structural layer. Generates free radicals that destroy collagen and cause DNA mutations. Present year-round at consistent levels, penetrates glass, causes tanning and the slow cellular degradation that drives melanoma.
    315–400nm
    Wavelength
    90%
    Of UV reaching Earth
    UVB
    Sunburn + Cancer
    Targets the epidermis. Directly damages DNA strands, creating thymine dimers that cells cannot repair reliably. The primary cause of sunburn and non-melanoma skin cancers. Strongest between 10am–4pm in summer, at high altitudes, and near the equator.
    280–315nm
    Wavelength
    10%
    Of UV reaching Earth
    KEY INSIGHT — In the UK, look for the UVA star rating alongside SPF — aim for 4 or 5 stars. SPF alone only measures UVB protection.
    By the Numbers

    The Reality
    of Skin Cancer

    ☀
    0 in 5
    People will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. The most common cancer in the US — more than all others combined.
    📅
    0
    People diagnosed with skin cancer in the US every single day. One person every 9 seconds.
    ⚠
    0%
    Higher melanoma risk from tanning beds before age 35. WHO classifies them as Group 1 carcinogens — same as tobacco.
    ☁
    0%
    Of UV rays penetrate cloud cover. The most dangerous days are often deceptively cool and overcast.
    Step 02 — Reapply

    Every 2
    Hours.

    Sunscreen degrades under UV light. One morning application is not enough. Start this timer the moment you apply — it will alert you when it’s time to reapply.

    2:00:00
    Ready
    Time to Reapply
    Apply a generous amount of SPF 50+ to all exposed skin. Do not forget your ears, neck, lips, and the tops of your feet.

    Apply generously — most people use far too little. A guide: a teaspoon for face and neck, approximately 35ml for the whole body.

    Step 03 — Choose Right

    The SPF
    Guide

    SPF measures UVB protection. The jump between numbers is logarithmic — not linear. Correct application matters more than SPF number alone.

    SPF 15
    Blocks 93% of UVB
    Minimal protection. Adequate only for very brief, incidental sun exposure. Not recommended for prolonged outdoor activity of any kind.
    SPF 30
    Blocks 97% of UVB
    US dermatologist minimum for outdoor activity. Effective when applied correctly and reapplied every 2 hours — but real-world under-application reduces this significantly.
    SPF 50+
    Blocks 98% of UVB
    UK and Australian gold standard. Cancer Research UK and the NHS both recommend SPF 50+ as the minimum for outdoor activity. The 1% difference over SPF 30 compounds dramatically over a lifetime.
    UK Recommended
    Step 04 — Know Your Type

    Your Skin Type
    Changes Everything

    The Fitzpatrick Scale classifies skin by its UV response. Select your type for personalised guidance.

    Know the Signs

    The ABCDE
    Rule

    Check your moles regularly using this dermatologist framework. Melanoma caught early is highly treatable — caught late, it is not.

    A
    Asymmetry
    One half does not mirror the other. Healthy moles are symmetrical.
    B
    Border
    Irregular, ragged, notched or blurred edges. Healthy moles have smooth, defined borders.
    C
    Colour
    More than one colour or uneven distribution — browns, blacks, reds or whites in one mole.
    D
    Diameter
    Larger than 6mm — roughly the diameter of a pencil eraser. Though melanomas can be smaller.
    E
    Evolving
    Any change in size, colour, shape — or a new symptom such as bleeding, itching or crusting.
    IF IN DOUBT — Get it checked. In the UK, contact your GP or use the NHS 2-week urgent referral pathway. In the US, see a board-certified dermatologist. Early detection is everything.
    Myth Busting

    Stop Believing
    These.

    Common misconceptions about UV and sunscreen that are actively dangerous. Tap to reveal the truth.

    Daily Routine

    Your Daily
    Sun Plan

    Tick these off every time you go outdoors. Consistency over years is what actually prevents cancer — not occasional perfect days.

    0 of 10 completed

    Start
    Today.

    Sun damage accumulates silently over decades. The best time to protect your skin was twenty years ago. The second best time is right now.