Woman's 'Pimple' Turned Out to Be Skin Cancer at 26, Now She's Fighting the UK's 20% Tax on Sunscreen
A woman believed a tiny spot beneath her eye was just a clogged pore, but she ended up finding out she had skin cancer at the age of 26. Now, after having surgery that removed most of her lower eyelid, she is pushing for the UK to stop charging 20% VAT on sunscreen.
Jessica Zbinden-Webster found out she had infiltrative basal cell carcinoma in 2018 after the spot started bleeding. She had surgery and a skin graft, and then went through multiple procedures to help restore the area around her eye.
The experience made her see sun protection in a new way and encouraged her to push for sunscreen to be treated differently under UK VAT rules. Sunscreen is generally subject to the standard 20% VAT rate, while qualifying medicines and other goods supplied on prescription by a registered pharmacist can be zero-rated.
Why is sunscreen taxed at 20% in the UK, and why is sun protection so important for reducing the risk of skin cancer?
What Happened to the Woman Who Developed Skin Cancer at 26?
Jessica Zbinden-Webster first saw something that looked like a tiny clogged pore under her eye. She had had skin issues before, so she did not think the spot was anything serious at first.
In 2018, when she rubbed the area and her hand became covered in blood, she knew something was not right. She went to see her doctor the next day and was told she had basal cell carcinoma.
Zbinden-Webster was just 26 at the time. The tumour was later found to be infiltrative, which means the cancer cells had into the nearby tissues.
She had surgery to remove the tumour and most of her lower eyelid, and then skin was taken from her arm to use as a graft. She also had multiple laser treatments in the years that followed to help repair the area around her eye.
The experience altered the way Zbinden-Webster thought about sun protection. She now works to get the UK to stop charging 20% VAT on most sunscreen products. She says sunscreen is key for preventing skin cancer, not just a beauty product.
Why Is Sunscreen Important for Preventing Skin Cancer?
Sunscreen helps shield the skin from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can damage skin cells and make it more likely to develop skin cancer. UV radiation mostly comes from the sun, but it can also be produced by man-made sources such as tanning beds.
The NHS suggests using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and good protection against UVA rays when you're out in the sun. You should use plenty of sunscreen and put it on again regularly, especially after swimming, working up a sweat or drying your skin with a towel.
However, using sunscreen isn't the only way to protect your skin from UV rays. You can also lower your exposure by staying in the shade, wearing protective clothing and avoiding the sun during the strongest part of the day.
Basal cell carcinoma, the type of skin cancer Zbinden-Webster had, is the most common kind of skin cancer. Even though it doesn't usually spread to other parts of the body, it can grow into nearby tissues and cause damage if not treated.
Why Does Sunscreen Have a 20% VAT in the UK?
Most sunscreen products in the UK have to pay the usual 20% VAT because they are considered regular consumer items, not medicines.
Some medical products can have a zero VAT rate if they are provided under certain conditions. HM Revenue & Customs states that some medicines and pharmaceutical products can be zero-rated if they are provided with a prescription or fulfil other specific conditions.
Zbinden-Webster is asking for sunscreen to be treated the same way, saying it's an important health product because it helps protect against UV radiation.
The campaign has also made people wonder if the price of sunscreen might make it harder for some people to use it on a regular basis. Sunscreen is just one way to help protect the skin from UV rays. It's also important to use shade, wear protective clothing and avoid being in the sun when the sunlight is strongest.
The NHS suggests that people who use sunscreen should pick a product with at least SPF 30 and good UVA protection. They should apply it generously and regularly whenever they are in the sun.
Zbinden-Webster's experience shows why protecting the skin from UV radiation matters, even at a young age. Sunscreen can help reduce UV exposure, alongside shade and protective clothing. She is now campaigning for the UK to remove the 20% VAT on sunscreen, arguing that it should be treated as an important health product.