According to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, when it comes to the labels on sun creams, it leads to more confusion regarding these products. It added that manufacturers should all consider the same rating system while labeling the products

It has been found in a survey of 2,000 UK adults that one out of five didn't know that the SPF rating does not indicate protection against all sun damage; it just tells about protection against from UVB rays. A "star" rating shows protection against UVA rays. Ultraviolet A leads to skin-ageing and wrinkles and skin cancer could be caused by both UVB and UVA rays.

The protection that sun creams and lotions provide against UVB rays is indicated by the SPF or factor on the bottle. However, it was found in the survey that ultraviolet A rays (UVA) should also be considered; these rays penetrate the skin more deeply, leading to ageing of skin. The survey found that only one in three looked for the UVA star rating while purchasing sunscreen.

One should look for the level of UVA protection, which is indicated by a UVA star rating and UVB protection, which is denoted by the SPF.

According to Prof Jayne Lawrence, chief scientist for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, "Clearly many consumers do not realise the SPF rating applies only to the amount of protection offered against UVB rays, not UVA rays - both of which can damage the skin and cause skin cancer".

Lawrence added that people should not be required to select a sunscreen through complicated dual ratings information.