Brian Diffey

Brian Diffey BSc, AKC, PhD, DSc is Emeritus Professor of Photobiology in Dermatological Sciences, Institute of Cellular Medicine at the University of Newcastle, UK.

During his career in the NHS, he established an internationally-respected research programme in skin photobiology, particularly in the measurement of personal sun exposure; its effects in normal and diseased human skin; and ways to minimise excessive exposure, especially through the use of topical sunscreens.

He has advised a number of bodies on sun exposure and skin health including the World Health Organization, Department of Health, and the Cancer Research UK SunSmart programme, as well as patient support groups concerned with sun-related diseases such as melanoma, vitiligo and xeroderma pigmentosum.

He invented both the UVA Star Rating for sunscreens in conjunction with Boots in the UK, and the Critical Wavelength adopted by the Food & Drug Administration in the USA as the sole measure of broad spectrum protection.

In 1999 he was awarded the Medal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists for his contributions to suncare, and in 2011 was honoured at the International Sun Protection Conference for significant innovation in the field of photoprotection.

He is an honorary member of the British Association of Dermatologists, the Swedish Society for Dermatology and Venereology, and the European Society for Photodermatology.