Sun Awareness week is the kick-off to our summer-long Sun Awareness campaign. We use this week to re-enforce the need for sun protection across the UK and inspire people to raise awareness themselves!
Sun Awareness Week 2026 will be from 11 May to 17 May, with the theme will be Sun Protection and Sunbeds. Past campaigns have focused on raising awareness of the UV Index, sun protection habits of Brits, or how to check for non-melanoma skin cancers.
What is Sun Awareness Week?
Sun Awareness Week is an annual campaign organised by dermatology and cancer prevention organisations. It focuses on educating the public about the dangers of overexposure to the sun and the steps that can be taken to protect the skin, such as using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding the sun during peak hours.
To raise awareness around sun protection and skin cancer – the most common cancer in the UK to date. Sun Awareness Week marks the start of a summer long campaign to provide people with information so they can practice sun safety. This year’s campaign focus will be on the need for sun protection in the UK climate, aiming to tackle misconceptions that sun protection is rarely needed in the UK.
- Slip on a shirt – protect your skin with clothing & don’t forget to put on a hat that protects your face, neck & ears and a pair of UV protective sunglasses to protect your eyes.
- Seek out shade – Step out of the sun before your skin has a chance to redden or burn. Keep babies & very young children out of direct sunlight. when the weather is warmer, spend time in the shade between 11am & 3pm when the sun is brightest.
- Slap on the Sunscreen – Look for:
- High protection – (SPF) Sun Protection Filter (min SPF 30) to protect against UVB rays from the sun which cause sunburn.
- The UVA circle logo and/or 4 or 5 UVA stars to protect against UVA rays, which cause skin aging and sun damage.