Online skincare shop Face the Future are cutting the price of their suncare all summer, including one that now costs less than £5
Is sun protection a luxury? That is the question being raised by one online retailer, who have cut the price of they suncare products by 20% in protest at VAT charges on SPF.
In the UK, sunscreen is taxed at the 20% VAT rate – the same as luxury skincare. But campaigners point out, since it’s proven to help protect against sun damage, and reduce the risk of skin cancer, it’s not just a skincare nice-to-have – it’s a daily essential, and the government’s tax rate should reflect that. They say it should be a VAT-free health essential.
Online skincare retailer Face the Future agree, which is why they’ve joined the VATBurn campaign, and pledged to reduce the cost of suncreams sold on their site by 20% – all summer. “Whilst VAT is legally required to be charged on all orders, we are discounting core sunscreens that are included in our VAT Burn campaign by 20% until the end of October, to cover the cost of VAT,” they explained.
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Skin cancer is the UK’s fifth most common cancer, with many cases seen as preventable. According to Melanoma Focus, we would all have a lot to gain by cutting VAT on sun protection. They claim the annual saving to the NHS in treatment costs could be as high as £128 million. This would actually outweigh the annual revenue from SPF VAT, which is currently about £67 million. And that’s aside from the actual lives saved. According to Melanoma Focus, ‘Around 2,500 – 3,200 cases of melanoma skin cancer can be prevented annually over the next decade and 300 lives per year could be saved.’
Face the Future have removed the equivalent of VAT (20%) from brands including Heliocare, Ultrasun, Eucerin, Altruist, La Roche-Posay, Bioderma, EVY, Coco&Eve, Sun Bum, Caudalie, COOLA, Avene, Hello Sunday, Pharmaceris, Bondi Sands, Thank You Farmer and Saltee. These are some of our favourites from the range:
Best bargain
Altruist Sunscreen SPF30 200ml, £4.76 (was £5.95)
This brand specialises in affordable, dermatologist developed sunscreens that are high protection, fragrance free, cruelty free and suitable for sensitive skin, designed to make daily SPF accessible to everyone. The extra saving is the cherry on top.
Best under-make-up base
Heliocare 360 Gel Oil-Free SPF 50, £24.80 (was £31)
A dry-touch, oil-free formula that’s great on sensitive or spot-prone skin, and doesn’t pill when you apply foundation over the top of it. This is a great everyday SPF.
Best for people who don’t like applying sunblock
Ultrasun UV Face & Scalp Mist SPF 50, £22.40 (was £32)
A clear, spray on mist that dries instantly and can be sprayed even above the hairline to protect the scalp. One of the easiest ways to apply sun protection.
Best for anti-ageing skincare sun protection
Eucerin Hyaluron Filler Elasticity Day Cream SPF30, currently £24.10 (was £36)
A light and hydrating day cream, infused with Hyaluronic Acid to help plump-up deep wrinkles for a smooth, radiant complexion. This feels like a moisturiser, just one that happens to have SPF30 built in.
Best for the whole family
Evy Sunscreen Mousse SPF50, £22.40 (was £28)
From Swedish skincare brand Evy, this is designed to be gentle on sensitive – even eczema-prone – skin, with a light mousse texture that kids love.
LookFantastic is also cutting the cost of VAT on their sunscreens this summer, thanks to their What The SPF? campaign, including my favourite handbag essential, La Roche Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid Suncream SPF50 and cult-faavourite CeraVe Invisible Hydrating Sunscreen SPF50 – both down by 25% from £21 to £15.75.
