Sunscreen Tips

The sun is back out, and that means it's time to find a safe and effective sunscreen for your family. Though it's a good idea to wear sun protection at any time of the year, protecting your skin from sun damage during the spring and summer months is vital. Here are a few facts about sunscreens and skin health.

Sunscreen Facts

• Not all sunscreens are safe or effective. Dangerous skin cancers have tripled in the past 35 years. Shockingly, most available sunscreens do not provide adequate protection against the UVA rays that cause skin cancer. A sunscreen's SPF rating is designed to tell you about the product's effectiveness in preventing a sunburn, caused by UVB rays, but it is the UVA rays that penetrate the skin and may contribute to long-term skin damage and cancers. The "Broad Spectrum" label indicates that a sunscreen may provide both types of protection, but there is no regulation that requires sunscreen makers to tell you how much of each type of protection their product provides.

• Relying on sunscreen alone may actually contribute to skin damage, as people spend more time in the sun without the painful reminder to get out of the sun that a sunburn can provide. Avoid being outdoors during the hours between 10 AM - 1 PM, when the sun's rays are strongest. Wear sun-protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, and light, reflective colors when spending time in the sun.

• Harsh chemical sunscreens may contain potentially harmful or ineffective ingredients. According to the Environmental Working Group, the safest and most effective sunscreens for your family will not contain potential hormone disruptors, like Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Homosalate, Octisalate, or Octocrylene. Safer alternatives include Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Avobenzone, or Mexoryl SX. Mineral Sunscreens like Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide provide the most effective protection with the least potential side effects, according to numerous EWG studies.

• How you apply your sunscreen is important in determining its effectiveness. Applying too little or too much, and forgetting to reapply on schedule, can lessen the application's effectiveness and contribute to sun damage. Read the instructions on your sunscreen label, and follow them faithfully.

For more information about sunscreen safety and effectiveness, visit the Environmental Working Group's Guide to Sunscreens.