Sun safety and SPF step into classrooms as schools trial skin cancer prevention

In a pioneering public health move, primary schools across Kent have become the testing ground for a new initiative teaching children how to protect themselves from the sun - an effort that could have long-term ramifications for the skincare and beauty industry.

The pilot programme, backed by the Melanoma Fund and set to roll out nationwide by 2026, introduces Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) lessons that focus on sun safety. Pupils are being taught to check UV levels, apply sunscreen correctly and understand the importance of protective clothing to preventing melanoma - the deadliest form of skin cancer.

The initiative is especially significant for the beauty and skincare sectors, which have seen increasing demand for sun protection products, from SPF-infused moisturisers to mineral sunscreens designed for sensitive skin.

Brands committed to dermatological safety and education, such as La Roche-Posay, Supergoop and Garnier, may find growing opportunities to engage with schools, parents and health advocates as public awareness expands.

"We’re saying this is your superpower,” Michelle Baker of the Melanoma Fund told the BBC, stressing that giving children a sense of ownership over their skin health could help "grow skin cancer out of the next generation".

The timing is also critical. Skin cancer rates are on the rise, with melanoma cases projected to increase from 18,300 in 2021 to 21,300 by 2026, according to Cancer Research UK. The charity attributes nine out of ten cases to UV exposure, warning there is no such thing as a "safe tan".

This public health pivot may influence beauty marketing, sun care product development and even seasonal merchandising strategies. As headteacher Emma Smith of Platt Primary noted: "If we educate them early, they’re more likely to keep that knowledge as they get older - especially when social media starts to influence their choices."

With prevention at the core, the sun safety school curriculum could reshape how future generations and beauty brands engage with sun protection.