Four in 10 UK adults report being sunburnt in the previous 12 months

Cancer Research UK and Ipsos have published new survey findings exploring UK adults' knowledge, attitudes and behaviours relating to sun safety and UV protection.

The survey, conducted in April and May 2025 among 4,200 UK adults, found that more than four in 10 (43%) reported being sunburnt in the previous 12 months. 

The findings also highlight gaps in public understanding of sun safety:

• More than one in three (35%) adults incorrectly believe they need to get as much sun as possible to obtain enough vitamin D.
• Nearly three-quarters (73%) do not know the UV level at which sun protection is recommended.
• Just 40% say they apply sunscreen most or every time they are outside in the sun in the UK.
• More than one-third (37%) do not monitor moles on their body for abnormalities or potential signs of skin cancer.

Knowledge of suncream guidance is mixed. While two-thirds (67%) correctly identify that the NHS recommends using suncream with SPS 30 or higher, only 37% know that suncream should also have a four- or five-star UVA rating. 

Technical note: 

The findings are from an online survey of 4,200 UK adults aged 18+ conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Cancer Research UK between 22 April and 6 May 2025. Survey questions related to respondents' experiences and behaviours during the previous 12 months.

For this survey, quotas were set for age, gender, region, ethnicity, sexuality, and social grade. Recruitment boosts were provided to those living in Northern Ireland, people from Black and Mixed ethnic groups, and people who identify as non-heterosexual, to ensure as representative a sample as possible. Data were weighted by the same groups as the quotas, to ensure the resulting final sample is nationally representative.