We may be buying more suncream - but we don't know how to use it, writes savvy shopper ANNE SHOOTER

Experts say that we are not using suncream effectively because we don't understand the risks

We may all be buying more sun cream this year than ever before — but experts say that we are not using it effectively because we don’t understand the risks. 

When we are in the UK and the sun is shining, we are less likely to re-apply sun lotion, even though we do so when abroad.

And more than half the parents quizzed in a survey by Boots Soltan said they do not believe sunburn can cause lasting damage. 

Around half of us keep old sun cream and use it the following year — unaware that most products lose their effectiveness in blocking UV rays after 12 months and should be thrown away, according to research by retail analysts Mintel. 

A third of us say we use protection to help us get a ‘safe tan’ — when, in fact, there is no such thing. Tanned skin is caused by UV damage which can lead to skin cancer and premature ageing. 

Boots’ survey showed that the most common reasons given by parents for sunburn in under-tens was because they didn’t re-apply sun cream often enough, simply got caught out by the weather, or didn’t have sun cream with them.

More than half said they re-apply sun-cream only when their child looks pink, and one in four said their children had burned before the start of the school holidays. 

Just a quarter of those in the survey said they try to stay out of the sun, while 20 per cent of Brits who have used sun protection in the past 12 months say they use it only when they’re on holiday somewhere sunny.

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In terms of brands, 27 per cent say they use whichever one is on special offer, and a third say — quite correctly — that supermarket own-brand products are as good as the famous names. 

Tesco has seen a 54 per cent increase in sun-protection products year-on-year, but has not seen sales peaks as high as last year’s heatwave yet.

Its own-label suntan protection label, Soleil, priced at £3 to £5 a product, is showing sales up by 9 per cent while they say there is a growing trend towards high-factor creams as their customers become more aware and conscious of the dangers of being in the sun unprotected.

Sainsbury’s has also seen a rise in sun creams, with their Sainsbury’s Sun Tan lotion (on offer at two for £7.50) seeing sales a third higher than this time last year. 

Boots Soltan Suncare Expert Clare O’Connor says: ‘This research shows that many of us have been caught off guard when it comes to the right sun protection for our children, and we are urging all parents to be more vigilant with regards to sun safety. 

‘Sunburn happens in a matter of minutes and as children start to enjoy their school holidays, spending more time out in the sunshine, we want to emphasise how essential regular application of a high SPF is — every day and throughout the day.

‘Obviously, parents are already thinking about sunscreen, but we’re encouraging them to make sun protection a top priority this summer, whether at home or abroad. While we can feel and see some parts of the sun’s rays, UVA and UVB rays are invisible. 

‘It’s these invisible UVA and UVB rays, however, that have visible effects on the skin, such as sun damage and premature ageing. Once the skin is pink, damage has been done. But with proper use of sun protection, the effects can be easily avoided.

‘Every day, come rain or shine, skin is exposed to harmful UVA and UVB rays. While sitting in the shade or covering up with a T-shirt can help to reduce exposure to UV rays, unfortunately they don’t offer complete protection.

‘This is why it’s so important to make sure you’re also protecting your family with an effective sunscreen that contains a high SPF with 5* UVA protection. 

‘Applying sun cream takes only a few minutes but helps protect your child’s skin from the damage the sun causes and any longer-term effects of the damage.’

The sun-care market was valued at £255 million in 2013 and is predicted to reach £260 million in 2014. The NHS advises the use of a minimum SPF factor of 15 to prevent skin damage.

Exposure to UV rays is a key factor in developing skin cancer, and in the past 30 years malignant melanoma has been the fastest-growing form of cancer in the UK.

Incidence rates are now seven times higher for men, and four times higher for women than in the Seventies.

Now you can have a fab family day out - on your Nectar card

Sainsbury’s Nectar card holders are in for a treat this summer, with their points worth up to quadruple the normal value.

It’s part of the retailer’s Summer Sorted campaign to help parents keep children busy in the holidays without spending a fortune. There are also in-store promotions, and ideas and recipes on the website.

The Nectar Rewards Double Up & More scheme runs until August 12 and means you can enjoy family days out for less.

Nectar card holders are in for a treat this summer, with their points worth up to quadruple the normal value

Just exchange your points for vouchers to spend at top restaurants and entertainment venues, including SEA LIFE, Thorpe Park, Madame Tussauds, Pizza Express, Go Ape, or for swimming sessions at local pools.

Decide how you want to spend your points before visiting your nearest Sainsbury’s supermarket to exchange them for a voucher worth double, triple and, in some cases, quadruple their usual value.

Normally, 1,000 points are worth from £5 when redeeming with Nectar partners, but during Summer Sorted you can redeem them for £10 off at Pizza Express, SEA LIFE and The Dungeons, and £15 off at Go Ape and other days out.

Some Merlin Entertainment venues, including Thorpe Park and Warwick Castle, already offer double value on Nectar points, so you’ll get four times the value of your points for the next two week — in other words, 1,000 points equals £20 off.

Bargain basket: The perfect Spanish spread

Each week, Savvy Shopper teams up with mySupermarket to bring you a basket of ingredients so you can see how prices compare for each item individually and in total.

This week, the flavours of Spain.

Anyone for grapes that taste of candy floss - or flowers?

Candy floss-flavoured grape, anyone? Or how about one that tastes like a strawberry?

Waitrose is introducing some new, unusual-flavoured grapes this week, as shoppers demand increasingly interesting fruit flavours.

The strawberry grape (£3.29 for 400g) and Mayabelle grape (£1.50 for 150g) — which tastes of fresh flowers — will arrive in Waitrose stores this week.

In August, the Cotton Candy variety arrives, tasting of candy floss, and the mango grape will be around in September, both £3.29 for 400g.

A firm family favourite across the country, grape sales are up 17 per cent year on year.

But it is the unique varieties which are showing the biggest increase in popularity, with sales of the Sable grape, currently in store, up 82 per cent year on year. This distinctly fragrant variety has tropical notes and a hint of parma violets.

Greg Sehringer, Waitrose Grape Buyer, says: ‘We are thrilled to be able to introduce this limited-edition range of really exciting grape flavours, which will delight kids and adults alike.

‘We know that our customers are looking for something a little different to add to their fruit bowls, and we’ve worked with our grape growers to create a whole host of new combinations.

‘They look just like regular grapes, but pack a surprising flavour punch, and are perfect in tropical fruit salads.’

How the heatwave's produced Britain's best-ever tomatoes

Look for Isle of Wight on the label when you buy tomatoes for the most flavoursome on the market — thanks to the hot weather.

Isle of Wight Tomatoes, which supplies Waitrose, M&S, Sainsbury’s and Ocado, says its harvest has never been juicier or sweeter.

The farm, which specialises in ususual and heritage types we have only recently seen in supermarkets, depends on the weather for its crop.

Isle of Wight Tomatoes, which supplies Waitrose and M&S, says its harvest has never been juicier or sweeter

The Isle of Wight’s unique maritime climate is credited with helping grow some of the world’s tastiest tomatoes, which are favoured by top restaurants, celebrity chefs and, more recently, many supermarket shoppers.

Isle of Wight tomatoes enjoy up to 20 per cent more sunshine than other areas of the UK, helping produce tomatoes that are sweeter, juicier and bursting with flavour.

Paul Howlett, head of agronomy at Isle of Wight Tomatoes says: ‘The island is enjoying even higher than average sunshine levels for this time of year, meaning Isle of Wight Tomatoes are at their absolute peak of flavour and are even more delicious than usual.’

All tomatoes grown on the Isle of Wight are ripened on the vine and the growers do everything as naturally as possible.

The pollination of all the tomato plants is looked after by UK-native bumble bees; the plant pests are controlled by natural predators, rather than pesticides; and the tomatoes are irrigated using harvested rain water.

Tomatoes grown on the Isle of Wight include striped Green Tiger tomatoes, brown Kumatos, super sweet cherry tomatoes on the vine called Picollo, orange, yellow and red baby plum tomatoes and Pink Blush — a large pink vine tomato.

I made two punnets of mixed Isle of Wight tomatoes into a simple, but absolutely beautiful, salad by simply slicing them in half, scattering with basil leaves, and sprinkling with black salt — though white sea salt flakes would be fine. Drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil just before serving.