The sun in splendour

Five mineral sunscreens failed tests by Which? on their ability to protect us from dangerous rays to the extent they claimed on their packaging. They were expensive failures, too, selling for up to £28 for a bottle. And they tended to have names suggesting tropical islands and virtuous greenness, with packaging proclaiming them to be “ocean friendly” or “reef safe”. Never mind the ocean, on sunscreens that actually worked in fending off cancer-causing radiation there turned out to be names like Asda, Morrison or Lloyds Pharmacy, and these own-brands were cheaper. This is good news, for we are in a quandary over sun. Although sun-loving culture came in with the rise of Hitler, we still have an idea it is good for us. Lovely though it is to see the sun, it is best to greet it with a hat and respect.