Even before the start of summer, one in three people have already had a sunburn this year

According to the survey, only six percent of people in Austria generally forego sun protection. Prevention is the top priority for users, and the use of high sun protection factors (SPF) is well established, the cosmetics experts analyzed transparently: “We have managed to educate the population and convince them of the need for sun protection ,” said spokeswoman Andrea Schneider.

Sunscreen, sunglasses and sun hat in top 3
At 78.4 percent, the main reason for using UV protection products was to prevent sunburn. According to the research, 64.1 percent want to prevent skin damage and another 59.8 percent see this as protection against skin cancer. The most popular product is sunscreen at 63.6 percent, followed by sunglasses (59.1 percent) and sun hats (38.9 percent). This is followed by sun milk, sun spray and facial cream with sun protection factor, each containing approximately 25 percent.

Many people choose a high sun protection factor
The misunderstanding that you “never get a tan” with high sun protection factors and therefore avoid them has apparently been definitively dispelled: 42.8 percent of respondents use SPF 30 to 50 for their face and 44.7 percent for their body. 26.1 percent use a very high SPF 50+ for the face and 20.6 percent for the body. Compared to ten years ago, this share has more than doubled. Sun protection with a low SPF 6 to 10 is rarely used. The proportion is 3.7 percent for the face and 4.7 percent for the body.

There is still a demand for tanned skin: for 52.9 percent, a tan is important in the summer. Women in particular with 58.9 percent and ‘Generation Z’ with 66.9 percent attach great importance to this. The majority (82.1 percent) now know that you even get a tan if you use sunscreen.

“Every sunburn increases the risk of skin cancer”
Almost half of those surveyed consider their own risk of skin cancer to be average. Two in ten (19.6 percent) rate this as (fairly) high. “In any case, any sunburn increases the risk of later developing skin cancer and should be avoided at all costs,” warned Andrea Schneider.

More than every second person smears or sprays
On average, 94.4 percent said they used sun protection products on their face and/or body. 73.8 percent protect themselves while swimming. 67 percent use UV protection when on vacation, and 56.5 percent when outside during the warm season. More than a third of them apply cream at least once a day. More than half (57.7 percent) also smear or spray two to three times a day and apply cream.

Households spend an average of 22 euros on sun care
35.1 percent of respondents buy new products before each summer season. However, almost two-thirds (64.9 percent) use them until they run out. “On each sunscreen product there is a small symbol with an opened jar that indicates the shelf life in months after first opening,” says Schneider, recommending that you stick to this information. According to the Consumer Panel Austria GfK, from the beginning of April 2023 to the end of March 2024, domestic households bought a sun care product on average twice a year and spent around 22 euros on it in one year.

Sunlight has many positive aspects, but in excess and without protection, both UVA and UVB radiation can be dangerous and cause skin cancer. UVB light transfers all energy to the upper layer of the skin, increases protective pigmentation, but is also responsible for harmful sunburn. UVA light penetrates into the deep layers of the skin and leads to premature aging, affects the collagen/elastin network and is responsible for the formation of age spots.