MODEL RELEASED. Suncream. Hands of mother apply sunblock cream to the face of her red-haired, fair-skinned young son. Sunscreen or sunblock creams are preparations designed to protect the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation found in sunlight. UV radiation can destroy cells in the outer layers of the skin and repeated overexposure results in sunburn and an increased risk of skin cancer. Fair-skinned people with fair or red hair are particularly at risk.