You're not alone. Confusing & misleading labels on sun products has been normal for decades in the U.S. The FDA agreed, and finally, after 33 years of stalling, they've implemented new labeling rules to be launched next year.
The Two New Sunscreen Rules:
1. For a sunscreen label to state that it's Broad Spectrum, it must protect equally against UVA and UVB rays. If the product doesn't offer balanced protection, or if SPF is lower than 15, the label must warn that the formula hasn't been shown to prevent cancer or early skin-aging.
2. Manufacturers can no longer use the words "waterproof" or "sweatproof" on a sunscreen bottle because, apparently, there's no such thing. Even I did not know this...Mon Dieu!
Instead, companies may only claim how many minutes of water-resistance a product has.
Another con currently used:
Until the new labels debut, a sunscreen's SPF now refers only to its UVB-blocking ability (sun's burning rays), not UVA.
In other words, one could have a sunscreen that's an SPF 70, but has virtually no UVA protection whatsoever. Unbelievably, this mis-information has prevailed for years.
Why UVA rays matter:
UVA rays are constant and insidious. Some experts suggest they're more harmful than UVB rays. Even on a grey, cloudy day, you incur significant UVA exposure.
UVA light penetrates deeper, eventually creating wrinkles, sun spots, and the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers, which makes for saggy, dull skin. Not to mention an increased risk of skin cancer, for which annually over two million people are diagnosed in the U.S., with over 68,000 treated for its deadliest version, melanoma. All the more reason to search out an authentic broad-spectrum sunscreen and slather it on generously and daily. (Don't forget earlobes, hairline, and hands).
For truly revelatory sunscreen reviews (and a motherload of information on prescient environmental issues), CLICK the following link to Environmental Working Group's sunscreen guide, and prepare to be amazed at what you discover:
http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen/
With Environmental Working Group's website, you can look up an astonishing array of sunscreen brands and see how effective they really are. EWG's unbiased reviews show a visual breakdown of UVA and UVB protection provided by any given product, and whether potentially hazardous ingredients are included in its formula. Be sure and check out their Wall of Shame to make sure you're not in possession of a truly crappy product!
One result I've noticed while researching the site is that most, perhaps all, of their top-rated sunscreens contain at least 10% micronized zinc oxide, which is even more efficacious than super-white regular zinc oxide. The micronized version's particles are smaller, coat skin better, and don't leave an obvious white residue.
Though my personal favorite daily sunscreen, Shelter, by Osmosis Cosmeceuticals isn't reviewed on the site, I feel confident it would rate among the best of the best, as it contains 18.5 % micronized zinc oxide and has zero environmental toxins.
To mail-order Shelter, click on the following link:
http://www.SkinLoft.com
Have fun surfing the site, and let me know what you learn!
P.S. Watch out for Ken, who's punch-drunk and has forgotten his SPF...and his shirt.
Awesome girlfriend! UVA?+@#* What? How could this be after all of this FDA 30+ protection crap. Thanks to you we are all out of the dark and protected from those evil sun rays. Now I can continue with my summer fun...guilt free!
ReplyDeleteI agree. There's no such thing as waterproofing the skin. Thanks for sharing this valuable study about skin and sunscreens.
ReplyDelete