Is sun protection a luxury? That is the question being raised by one online retailer, which has cut the price of its 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 that since it is proven to help protect against sun damage and reduce the risk of skin cancer, it is not just a skincare nice-to-have but a daily essential, and the government's tax rate should reflect that. They argue it should be a VAT-free health essential.
Online skincare retailer Face the Future agrees, which is why it has joined the VATBurn campaign and pledged to reduce the cost of suncreams sold on its 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," the company explained.
Skin cancer is the UK's fifth most common cancer, with many cases seen as preventable. According to Melanoma Focus, cutting VAT on sun protection would bring significant benefits. The charity claims the annual saving to the NHS in treatment costs could be as high as £128 million, which would actually outweigh the annual revenue from SPF VAT, currently about £67 million. That is aside from the lives saved: "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," Melanoma Focus stated.
Face the Future has 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. Here are some highlights 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 is great on sensitive or spot-prone skin and does not pill when foundation is applied over it. This is an excellent everyday SPF.
Best for People Who Dislike 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. It feels like a moisturiser 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 children love.
LookFantastic is also cutting the cost of VAT on its sunscreens this summer thanks to its What The SPF? campaign, including popular products like La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid Suncream SPF50 and cult-favourite CeraVe Invisible Hydrating Sunscreen SPF50, both reduced by 25% from £21 to £15.75.
