The Food and Drug Administration is changing sunscreen labels to make it easier for you to pick a product that offers the protection level you want.
The changes will require sunscreens labeled “broad spectrum” - those that protect against both UVA and UVB rays — to pass a standardized test.
The labels will also clearly tell whether a sunscreen protects against sunburn, skin cancer and signs of premature skin aging.
Only sunscreens labels with “broad spectrum” and an SPF of 15 or higher will protect against all three. Anything without the “broad spectrum” label or with an SPF between 2 and 14 will only protect against sunburn.
The FDA will also be making additional changes to the labels to help you get maximum skin protection:
- Sunscreen products that are not broad spectrum or that are broad spectrum with SPF values from 2 to14 will be labeled with a warning that reads: “Skin Cancer/Skin Aging Alert: Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging.”
- Water resistance claims on the product’s front label must tell how much time a user can expect to get the declared SPF level of protection while swimming or sweating, based on standard testing. Two times will be permitted on labels: 40 minutes or 80 minutes.
- Manufacturers cannot make claims that sunscreens are “waterproof” or “sweatproof,” or identify their products as “sunblocks.” Also, sunscreens cannot claim protection immediately on application (for example, “instant protection”) or protection for more than two hours without reapplication, unless they submit data and get approval from FDA.
The new labels will start to appear on sunscreen bottles next summer.
Learn more about the new sunscreen labels.
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