The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been regulating sunscreen labels since 1978. Yet, all the different sunscreens labels on the market today like SPF, bread-spectrum, waterproof, sweatproof, and water resistant, make purchasing a product more confusing than ever. That is why the FDA announced recently that changes were going to be made to simplify sunscreen labeling.
In the past sunscreen labels and advertisements have been misleading, claiming more sun protection than the products provided. But the new FDA regulations will require more transparency from sunscreen labels. This information is important for you to know because it will help you better evaluate which sunscreens offer you the best protection for your needs.
Broad Spectrum
Most of us are familiar with the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) numbers but few people actually know how this rating system works. The SPF strength of a sunscreen is determined by the time it would take to get a sunburn without sunscreen compared with the time it would take to get a burn with the sunscreen.1 For example, if it takes 10 minutes for an unprotected person to get a sunburn, then it would take him or her 150 minutes or 15 times longer to burn using SPF 15.2
But over the years dermatologists have recognized that the SPF labeling system can be misleading because products tested for SPF strength are only tested against UVB rays not UVA rays. UVB radiation is the primary cause of sunburn, while both UVA and UVB rays cause skin cancer and premature aging.3 In the past consumers didn’t know that using certain types of sunscreen still left them exposed to carcinogenic UVA rays.
But under the new FDA ruling sunscreens that protect against UVA and UVB rays will carry the label “broad spectrum.” Broad spectrum sunscreens will have to pass tests proving that they block a significant amount of UVA and UVB radiation.4 So the bottom line for you is this: use broad spectrum sunscreen. An SPF sunscreen with a broad spectrum label will afford significantly better protection than a sunscreen with that SPF strength but no broad spectrum label.
Claims to Cancer Prevention
A variety of sunscreens have claimed to reduce your risk of skin cancer, but up till now there has been on regulation of which sunscreens actually do help prevent skin cancer. That is one of the problems that the FDA’s new guidelines address. When the rules take effect next year, only products with at least SPF 15 and broad spectrum protection will be able to claim to help prevent skin cancer and skin aging. Sunscreens below SPF 15 can only be labeled as protecting against sunburn.5
So the next time you are shopping for sunscreen, make sure that you avoid sunscreen lower than broad spectrum SPF 15. In fact, we recommend that you follow the American Associate of Dermatology’s advice and use at least broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen.
False Advertising
Most Americans see labels like “waterproof,” “sweatproof,” and “sunblock” and get a false sense of security about the protection they are getting out of their sunscreen. The average person puts on one application of sunscreen and thinks that he or she is protected for an entire day of water activities. In light of this common practice, The FDA has required greater label clarity from sunscreens on these issues.6 Here is what you need to know:
- Sunscreens are no longer allowed to advertise as waterproof or sweatproof, as that gives them impression that they do not wear off at all in water.
- Products that pass the FDA’s tests can claim to be water resistant.
- Water resistant sunscreens must include on the back label how long the sun screen stays effective when wet. The FDA has allowed two options, either 40 minutes or 80 minutes.
- Sunscreens can’t carry the label “sunblock.”
- Products can’t claim to offer sun protection immediately upon application
- Sunscreens can’t say they are effective after two hours unless more sunscreen is applied.
On the whole, dermatologists have applauded the above measures to ensure greater label transparency and consumer notification, but some dermatologists wished the FDA had gone further. For instance, the rule requiring water resistant sunscreens to state that they remain effective for either 40 or 80 minutes after water exposure is receiving criticism from some dermatologists.
In order to ensure maximum protection, they say that the FDA should require sunscreen labels to advise reapplication of any sunscreen every time someone gets out of the water. It is best to err on the side of caution and reapply even water resistant sunscreen frequently during your water activities.
Where to Go from Here
Despite its shortcomings, dermatologists view these new changes as a victory for the consumer. If knowledge is power, then with this new information you are now empowered to better protect you and your family against the sun. So lookout for the new sunscreen labels because they will offer important information about which sunscreen is best for you.
References
1 Sunscreens. (2011). Retrieved July 31, 2011, from American Academy of Dermatology: www.aad.org/media-resources/stats-and-facts/prevention-and-care/sunscreens
2 Ibid.
3 Skin Cancer Prevention and Early Detection. (2011, June 27). Retrieved from American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/SunandUVExposure/SkinCancerPreventionandEarlyDetection/skin-cancer-prevention-and-early-detection-u-v-protection
4 Jesitus, J. (2011). Shedding new light. Dermatology Times, 22-25.
5 Questions and Answers: FDA announces new requirements for over-the-counter (OTC) sunscreen products marketed in the U.S. (2011, June 23). Retrieved from U.S. Food and Drug Administration: www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/UnderstandingOver-the-CounterMedicines/ucm258468.htm
6 FDA Sheds Light on Sunscreens. (2011, June 14). Retrieved from U.S. Food and Drug Administration: www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm258416.htm
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