Brussels - Consumers setting off on their summer holidays should stay
away from sunscreens which claim to offer "total protection" from
harmful UV radiations, the European Commission warned Monday.

"Sunscreen products cannot deliver total protection from UV radiation.
This holds also true for products claiming to be a 'sun block' or to
offer 'total protection'," officials in Brussels said.

Noting that even products which offer a high sun protection factor
(SPF) will let some of the UV radiation through, officials also
cautioned consumers from purchasing products which offer protection
factors of 50 or above.

"If a product is applied correctly, an SPF of 15-25 suffices to protect a person with normal skin from sun burn," they said.

The European Union executive has introduced a standardized logo for UV
protection creams and says products claiming total protection are being
phased out across the
27-member bloc.

Over-exposure to UV radiations can cause skin cancer, a condition that
according to the World Health Organization affects more than 3 million
Europeans each year. (dpa)