How to Decode Sunscreen Labels and Choose Safe Products

Reading a sunscreen label shouldn’t be like deciphering a foreign language but you'd be surprised that many people don’t understand how to read a sunscreen label or how the product protects the skin. Along with preventing sunburn, it also protects against skin cancer and premature aging (wrinkles and age spots). When trying to choose which one is the best for you and your family, it can be overwhelming.

As pools open and more and more people are flocking to the beach, river or lakes...it's a great time to have a better understanding of sunscreen basics. Below is explanations of key terms appearing on sunscreen labels that you should understand when selecting a product:

1. Broad Spectrum: It’s essential for your sunscreen to offer broad spectrum protection, which means that it offers effective protection against bothUVA (ultraviolet A) and UVB(ultraviolet B) rays, the solar wavelengths proven to damage the skin. UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB, and are the chief cause of wrinkles, sagging and other signs of aging. UVB rays damage the skin’s upper surface and are the main cause of sunburn. Both cause skin cancer.

2. Sun Protection Factor (SPF): SPF is a measure of how long a person can stay in the sun before its UVB rays start to burn the skin. Let’s say with no sunscreen, your skin starts to redden in 20 minutes. An SPF 30 will theoretically allow you to stay in the sun 30 times longer without getting burned. But keep in mind that SPF numbers are determined in a lab. In the real world, no matter what the SPF, sunscreens start to lose effectiveness over time, so it’s important to reapply every two hours and after swimming or heavy sweating. Also note that above SPF 50 the amount of additional sun protection is negligible. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends always using a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher – SPF 30 or higher for extended stays outdoors.

3. Water-resistant: The terms “water-resistant” and “sweat-resistant” indicate whether the sunscreen remains effective for 40 minutes or 80 minutes when you are swimming or sweating. Since no sunscreen is fully “waterproof” or “sweatproof,” the FDA prohibits these terms.

4. The Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation: Look for our Seal to assure yourself that a product is safe and effective. To earn the Seal, products must have their test results reviewed by an independent committee of photobiologists, experts in sun damage and sun protection. The Daily Use Seal is for sunscreens intended to protect against brief everyday sun exposures, the kind you experience walking to the car or running errands. The Active Seal is for extended exposures such as when playing sports or at the beach.

5. Active ingredients: This area of the label, often on the back of the bottle, lists the main ingredients in sunscreens that protect your skin against UV rays. There are two main types of active sunscreen ingredients: chemical and physical. Chemical ingredients such as avobenzone and benzophenone,work by absorbing UV, reducing its penetration into the skin, whereas physical ingredients such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide stay on top of the skin and deflect UV rays. Many sunscreens available today combine chemical and physical ingredients.

On a side note...an FDA study found that chemicals in many common sunscreens can be absorbed into your blood along with four active ingredients common in sunscreens – avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene and ecamsule. These enter the bloodstream at levels that far exceed the FDA's recommended threshold without a government safety inspection. *Sunscreens with those ingredients, especially oxybenzone, should be avoided, says Nneka Leiba, the director of healthy living science at the nonprofit advocacy group, the Environmental Working Group, but alternatives exist. When reading the ingredient labels, lean toward using the mineral products when available.

Choosing the right sunscreen can make all the difference in protecting your skin from the sun's harmful rays. It's important to understand which ingredients to avoid and why, especially if you have sensitive skin. Remember to always read the labels carefully and consult with a dermatologist if you have any conceerns about which sunscreen is right for you. With these tips in mind, you can confidently enjoy time outside while keeping your skin healthy and protected.

xoxo,