to have expected two identical bottles of suncream to have the same UVA rating?

[AKMD]

So, there are two bottles of suncream, identical in every way other than the type of dispenser. Same manufacturer, same brand name, same ?type?, same SPF? I usually buy the spray bottle but they keep getting blocked ?and I keep missing DS and spraying the wall?so this time I pick up the bog-standard bottle. At home, I notice that the UVA rating for the bottle is 3 stars. Hmm. I double-check my spray bottle and the UVA rating is 5 stars.

Not the most important issue in the world but fairly irritating. AIBU to have expected the two bottles of suncream to have the same UVA rating?

Oops, fail on the cross-outs.

By your own admission the star rating is on both of the bottles, so the information was provided for you to see. YABU.

The product inside is not exactly the same because the cream that comes out of a bottle that you can take the top off of isn't going to be as liquidy as one that has to be able to be sprayed.

I know I could have checked it but if anything I would have expected the runny spray one to have less high protection than the thicker squeezy one.

Yes, I would have expected the squeezy one to have higher protection too, just because it seems to make sense because it's thicker. I don't suppose it makes sense in reality though!

I don't see why they don't just give them all the same high UVA rating when it's a high SPF product.

I think the SPF is the UVB rating and the stars on the back are the UVA. No idea why they aren't on the front too.

I now have PFB-itis and am wondering whether to take back the inferior 3-star creams :o

I always check that too as loads of suncream only has 3 star UVA protection. Nivea is one of the culprits. If you are not happy with 3 stars then return them - I always get 5 star rated cream but will take 4 stars at a push (if I'm desperate!)