I Survived Skin Cancer & Now I'm Campaigning To Axe SPF Tax | Jessica's Story
After being diagnosed with skin cancer in 2018, Jessica Zbinden-Webster, our first Skincare & Beyond podcast guest of 2025, shares her skin cancer story, highlighting her mission to make sun protection more accessible by advocating for the removal of the 20% SPF VAT on products in the UK, so that everyone can have access to affordable sun protection.
After being diagnosed with melanoma at just 26, Jessica learned firsthand the importance of incorporating sunscreen into her daily routine. Now, she's advocating for the removal of the 20% VAT on SPF products in the UK in her #AxeTheSPFTax campaign where she shares her own experiences of skin cancer to try and bridge the education gap surrounding proper sunscreen use in the UK.
Jessica’s Skin Cancer Story
Finding a blemish on her skin that looked very much like a blocked pore, Jessica was sitting at her desk, one day, rubbed her eye, and everything changed, the skin on her face coming away and teeming with blood.
At that moment Jessica realised that something wasn't right and after seeing a doctor and being diagnosed with skin cancer, was booked in for treatment to remove the tumour as soon as possible.
Jessica shares: “I just kept ignoring it. It was a complete shock to me. I think my idea on who got skin cancer was very much led by a stereotype… not a 26-year-old who was very sun averse and pale.”
Highlighting the fact that her tumour wasn’t at all what she expected, Jessica says: “don't be fooled by the fact that these lesions aren't itching, just because they aren't causing you an irritating sensation doesn’t mean that they’re not malignant” stressing the importance of skin cancer screening for any anomaly on your body, even if it seems to be unchanging, as it could be one of the first signs of skin cancer.
Following invasive surgery where they found out that the tumour was so infiltrative that they had to remove Jessica’s entire lower eyelid, Jessica decided to use her experience for good, highlighting the importance of protecting your skin every day to shield against skin cancer.
She shares: “I've chosen to take what happened to me and to channel it into something greater than just being another statistic or another person who has had skin cancer, and I think actually, it’s helpful to look in the mirror every day and see my scar."
The Importance Of Sunscreen
A massively overlooked essential part of your daily skincare routine, sunscreen keeps your skin shielded against the harmful effects of the sun, protecting against sun damage that can lead to skin cancer, however, it's still classed as a luxury item within the UK, meaning it can be out of budget of the people that desperately need it to keep their skin safe year-round.
Jessica shares: “Skin cancer, melanoma is preventable in 9 out of 10 cases, yet is also the most common form of cancer in the UK”, which highlights the importance of proper education and accessible pricing for sunscreen in the UK.
Currently, sunscreen is taxed as a cosmetic item in the UK, making it more expensive than it needs to be, but Jessica is campaigning for this tax to be abolished in a bid to minimise the occurrence of sun damage and skin cancer.
Jessica highlights: “When I found out that sunscreen was taxed as a luxury or cosmetic product it irked me to say the least because it makes it more expensive, but also because of the principle when I know that skin cancer prevention is not a luxurious act or a cosmetic pursuit, it is essential healthcare prevention.”
Jessica believes that as a country, if we were more savvy about sunscreen and skin cancer screening we could enhance the health of our population, keeping your skin safe and shielded against the life-altering effects of skin cancer while minimising the strain on the NHS and our country as a whole.
Jessica shares: “It's about stopping lives from needlessly being disrupted or shortened by skin cancer, it's about empowering consumers to take better control of their sun safety and skin cancer prevention, but it’s also about ensuring the longevity of the NHS, because it costs hundreds of thousands of pounds per year to treat skin cancer in this country, and with skin cancer rates rocketing, that status quo is utterly unsustainable.”
Face the Future’s 365 Days Of SPF Campaign
Following on from the success of last year’s 366 Days Of SPF, and in support of Jessica’s cause, FTF is once again campaigning for 365 Days Of SPF, where we help to raise awareness of sun damage, educate on how the best sunblock to prevent skin cancer works, and encourage people to wear sunscreen every single day of the year to keep your skin safe from the harmful effects of the sun.
Praising last year's campaign, Jessica shares: “By taking the step to cover VAT as a retail organisation, you’re making a very powerful statement about where you stand on this issue.” And this is why going into 2025, we want to continue our work, championing the importance of sunscreen to try and change the following frightening statistics:
• 68% of the UK are more worried about sunburn than they are getting skin cancer.
• Only 14% of the UK wear SPF every day.
• 55% only apply SPF when it’s sunny
• 50% of us only buy SPF when we're going on holiday
• 40% of people in the UK never apply sunscreen regardless of weather conditions or where they are.
Five Of Our Favourite Sunscreens
On a mission to keep your skin safe, we’ve rounded up five of our go-to sunscreens, sharing with you their features and skin-shielding benefits to try and reduce the occurrence of skin cancer in the UK.
Jessica highlights: “There are so many amazing formulas on the market now that it is a pleasure to buy sunscreen and experiment with different sunscreen products. I think that there is a formula for everybody and it is actually about overcoming the stigma that sunscreen is only for summer holidays or heatwaves, it’s a whole attitude reset that we need to encourage.”
Hello Sunday The One That’s A Serum SPF50
Ultra-lightweight, this multitasking Hello Sunday The One That’s A Serum SPF50 provides broad-spectrum protection against sun damage, free radicals, and the visible signs of ageing. The hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and antioxidant-rich formula hydrates and brightens to reveal a radiant complexion.
Heliocare 360 Colour Gel Oil-Free SPF 50
Specifically created to keep combination to oily skin safe in the sun without causing irritation or skin flareups, this Heliocare 360 Colour Gel Oil-Free SPF 50 mattifies your skin as it protects, the innovative blend of Fernblock®, vitamin C, and vitamin E delivering incredible antioxidant benefits and sun protection.
Avène Very High Protection Spray SPF50+
Offering broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays, this Avène Very High Protection Spray SPF50+ harnesses the power of Avène’s exclusive SunSitive® technology and soothing Avène Thermal Spring Water to calm and protect your skin against the harmful effects of the sun, providing long-lasting hydration and antioxidant benefits as it protects.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Suncare Stick SPF 50+
Delivering targeted, high protection for sensitive areas like your eyes, nose, ears, lips, and moles, this La Roche-Posay Anthelios Suncare Stick SPF 50+ is perfect for popping in your bag for on-the-go sun protection - the easy to apply formula keeping your skin safe.
Ultrasun Family SPF 30
Hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, the Ultrasun Family SPF 30 keeps everyone in your family safe in the sun, the gentle formula minimising reactions for those with sensitive or allergy-prone skin. Harnessing Ultrasun’s patented lamellar technology, this non-greasy sunscreen ensures long-lasting, hassle-free sun protection for a worry-free day in the sun.
Shop Sunscreen
This oil-free formulation is suitable for normal, combination and oily skins whilst also covering imperfections and providing SPF 50+ protection.
Target areas of the face and body that are overexposed to the sun with this easy-to-apply sunscreen stick that’s suitable for sensitive skin. Perfect to keep in your handbag, in the car or at your...
Lightweight and smooth on the skin, this family sunscreen is fast absorbing and water-resistant, so no more worries on family holidays or day trips out.
Inspired by Jessica’s skin cancer journey and want to know more? Head to the podcast to listen to the full episode with our owner Julia and learn more about Jessica’s #AxeTheSPFTax campaign.
