Consumer watchgroups, healthcare professionals and consumers alike, have been waiting for new FDA sunscreen regulations, finally revised after 30 years of debate.
While the new regulations take effect next summer it’s not too early for you to help protect you and your family against the damage that can be caused by UV rays. As preached regularly on this blog, in our newsletter and web articles, an effective sunscreen will not only help to keep your skin looking younger and healthier, but also help to prevent the development of skin cancer.
Changes regarding FDA sunscreen regulations?
- Sunscreens carrying less than SPF 15 protection must carry warning labels that they cannot offer sufficient protection against UVA and UVB rays
- There will be more emphasis placed on the importance of both UVA and UVB protection (also known as broad spectrum protection). To display a broad spectrum claim, manufacturers will have to show that the amount of UVA protection proportionally increases as the SPF level increases. The product will also need to be SPF 15 or higher
- Sunscreens will no longer be able to claim being “waterproof” or “sweatproof” because products cannot deliver on these promises
- The agency is looking at implementing SPF 50 as the highest SPF rating because studies have shown than anything beyond SPF 50 doesn’t really offer additional protection
We stock a full range of high SPF, broad spectrum (UVA and UVB blocking sunscreens) in our sunscreen department.
Read more here.
