Did you know that not all sunscreens protect against both UVB rays (the burning ones) and UVA rays (the aging ones)? These are strong year-round and the biggest culprit for skin cancer. In fact, SPF just refers to the level of UVB protection, so unless the sunscreen you’re buying says “broad-spectrum” on it or comes with a PA ranking (the equivalent to SPF for UVA protection), your skin is not being properly protected. Luckily, after 33 years, the FDA has finally cracked down on sunscreen labeling and announced some new rules (it’s about time!). Major brands have a year to revise their labels, while smaller ones have two years.
Among the changes:
-Sunscreens must protect equally against UVB and UVA to be labeled as “broad spectrum.”
-SPF values can no longer be higher than 50 as there isn’t sufficient evidence to prove that SPF values higher than 50 give more protection.
-Only broad spectrum products with an SPF of 15 or higher can claim to help prevent sunburn and reduce the risks of skin cancer and early skin aging.
-Brands can no longer claim their products are waterproof or sweatproof, but they will be allowed to claim in minutes the amount of time in which the product is water resistant (based on test results).
-Products can’t claim to provide more than two hours of protection without re-application.
There is some evidence that shows that sprays may not be as effective as creams so, for now – to be on the safe side – opt for a cream, despite the convenience offered by sprays, and don’t forget to re-apply every two hours.
Looking for some reliable sunscreens? See below for some options!
-Perricone MD More Than Moisture SPF 30, $49.45
-Vichy Capital Soleil SPF 30 Soft Sheer Sunscreen Lotion, $27.50
-La Roche-Posay Anthelios 40 Sunscreen, $33.90
-Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control Cream Ultra Protection SPF 30, $30
-Obagi Nu-Derm Sun Shield SPF 50, $46.00
-Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 30, $6.00
No related posts.
Originally posted 2011-06-17 16:00:42. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Tweet
