Why you should be putting suncream on now as Met Office share weather chart
Scotland's weather has been extremely changeable in 2025. We started the year with several storms and near-daily Met Office weather warnings, including a rare red alert. And after what felt like the longest, darkest winter, we were met with the most incredible sunny spell to start April. The mini-heatwave coincided nicely with the school Easter holidays, and people across the country were enjoying the rays on their spring breaks. Although the weather has taken a bit of a turn in recent days and weeks, we look set to bask in more beautiful sunbeams as we enter May . But despite things looking brighter, literally, the Met Office has urged Brits to "take note" ahead of the upcoming scorcher. The national forecaster shared a chart on X, formerly Twitter , showing the expected UV levels across the UK for Wednesday, April 23. According to the map, most of Britain is experiencing UV rays at level 4, while England's south-west and Northern Ireland are basking in level 5. Even in Scotland's Highlands and the Shetland Islands, the most northerly part of the UK, the UV is at level 3. The Met Office ranks UV levels of 3-5 as moderate, but the forecaster said that the current rates are just as high as we normally see in mid-August - peak summertime for many regions. Alongside the chart, the Met Office wrote: "If you're enjoying the sunny spells this week, take note that the UV levels are as high as they are in mid-August". Even though the UV index goes as high as 11 for extreme levels, once it reaches level 3, you should be considering protecting your skin. According to My Health Alberta , wearing protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses can help keep you from over-exposure. And if you can't stay in the shade during the peak sunshine hours of 11am to 3pm, you should be applying suncream on any bare skin - and it should be at least SPF 30. Although the highs of 22C aren't expected in the UK next week, even at the mid-teens we are currently experiencing, you could still be at risk of UV exposure. According to skincare experts Kiehls , the sun can have a huge impact on the condition of your skin, even if it's not exactly the hottest day of the year. They suggest that everyone should take care in the sun by applying a broad-spectrum suncream or moisturiser with SPF protection. If you have fairer skin, you should consider a high-factor cream. To ensure it's at its most effective, you should apply your sunscreen just before exposure and reapply regularly to keep yourself protected. Kiehls' best-selling protection is their Ultra Light Daily UV Defence SPF 50 , which starts at £4 for a 30ml bottle of sunscreen. Alternatively, their Ultra Facial Cream is a 24-hour daily moisturiser that has SPF 30 and promises to "smooth and hydrate skin". On Amazon, the #1 bestseller in the sunscreen category is ALTRUIST's Dermatologist Sunscreen SPF 50 , which is £11.50 for 200ml. So although we would always encourage our readers to get out and enjoy the sunny weather while we have it in Scotland, always make sure you are protecting yourself too.
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