Nearly half of Brits (49%) say one of the best things about summer is enjoying time in a pub garden – although research has found this is also where people are most likely to get sunburnt.
A poll of 2,000 adults found that one in five intend to visit a beer garden multiple times a month this summer, spending an average of two hours there each time.
And during this time, their face, shoulders, and neck are most likely to become red as the UV rays hit them – with over a quarter (28%) admitting they usually forget to apply sunscreen.
Men are the most guilty of this, with just 16% saying they always apply sun protection before enjoying a pint outdoors – compared to one in five women.
But 59%, of all those polled, realise they need to become better at applying sunscreen on a sunny day.
And to help them remember to do so, Beavertown Brewery has produced the first sun lotion targeted specifically at beer drinkers – and will be installing dispensers in pubs across the country.
The “Oil Your Neck” sunscreen is designed to cover vulnerable areas like the head, neck, and shoulders.
It comes after research from the brand found that 37% admit they have previously been sunburnt while sitting outside at a pub.
Tom Rainsford, at Beavertown Brewery, said: “Summer is one of the best feelings in the world, and even better when you’ve got a pint in your hand – but less so when you’re sunburnt.
“We wanted to make sure Brits have the most enjoyable summer possible, so we’re installing free dispensers and giving away thousands of free sunscreens across the UK.”
Of those who don’t use sunscreen, 18% claim to never have any to hand, while 17% don’t like how it makes their skin feel.
Despite this, 65% claim they still take the effects of getting sunburnt seriously, according to the OnePoll.com study.
For those who do apply skin protection, 47% include it in their daily routine – with 47% doing so to prevent wrinkles, while 57% do it to decrease the chances of getting burnt.
Gill Nuttell, CEO and founder of Melanoma UK, said: “We are delighted to partner with Beavertown Brewery to raise awareness of sunscreen usage and sunburn prevention.
“Young adults, and men specifically, are a very difficult audience to reach to educate on the risks of sunburn.
““Oil Your Neck” targets this audience in an environment they can identify with, enabling us to engage with them and provide potentially life-saving educational information – helping to evoke behavioural change when it comes to the importance of sun safety.”
Created by LifeJacket Skin Protection, Beavertown will be giving away 10,000 of these SPF 50 UVA and UVB 5ml sunscreen sachets with pints of Neck Oil IPA, at participating pub gardens across the UK – specifically designed to be enough to use on one body part that is most prone to go red.
