For sun-loving Aussies, the outdoors is a way of life. But with melanoma skin cancer being one of the most diagnosed cancers among people aged 15 to 44 years (according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and Australasian Association of Cancer Registries), sun protection should be an integral part of everyone’s daily skin care routine.

The Cancer Council Australia’s National Sun Survey found almost one in five Australian adults are sunburned on summer weekends, with most sunburn occurring when the temperature is between 18 and 27 degrees. This is due to the common misunderstanding that UV radiation isn’t as strong on cooler days - when in fact it is not related to temperature. UV radiation cannot be seen or felt.

It is the UV radiation in the sunshine that causes our skin to burn. When UV radiation reaches our skin, it triggers a chemical release that causes the blood vessels to swell and leak fluids, creating inflammation, pain and redness - otherwise known as sunburn - which can lead to premature ageing and melanoma skin cancer.

The Cancer Council Australia’s sun care experts have released a wide range of broad spectrum, water-resistant sunscreens to help effectively absorb and reflect UV radiation, allowing us to make the most of our warm climate and open air lifestyle.

‘We’ve created a broad range of sunscreens to suit all types of lifestyles, to be used daily - not just at the beach, but also while gardening in the backyard and even during long picnic lunches’ says James Wright, managing director of Skin Health, makers of The Cancer Council Australia sunscreen; ‘A daily sunscreen routine is an important part of living in Australia’.

All The Cancer Council Australia’s products undergo stringent SPF (sun protection factor) testing, and  purchases help fund cancer research, patient support and education. This summer three new SPF 30+ sunscreens have been added to the range, including the Natural for those with sensitive skin, a reformulated classic screen with invisible zinc for those who don’t like sporting a white smear on their nose and lips, and the Sunscreen Plus Tint which has a golden colour to help highlight where sunscreen has been applied.