With the Memorial Day holiday weekend officially in the books, it feels like summer is in full swing. No matter how you plan to spend the next few months, experts say you should never go outside naked -- that is, you should always be wearing sunscreen.
Sunscreen is a vital tool in protecting yourself and your family from sunburn, skin cancer, early skin aging and other risks of overexposure to the sun.
The Food and Drug Administration regulates sunscreens to ensure they meet safety and effectiveness standards -- although some argue those standards are outdated. The agency has even noted there is insufficient data on many active ingredients used in sunscreens and that it cannot classify them as safe.
In 2021, the FDA proposed updates to its sunscreen regulations, including requiring manufacturers to:
• Improve UVA protection -- These are the rays associated with skin aging and inflammation and can lead to skin cancer.
• Limit SPF values to 60+ -- The sun protection factor reflects only how well a product will protect from UVB rays, which cause sunburn, and can overestimate the protection a sunscreen may provide.
• Improve labeling -- Include alphabetical listing of active ingredients on the front panel and ensure SPF, broad spectrum, and water resistance statements stand out.
The FDA also wants to provide more safety data about sunscreen ingredients or take them off the market. Two ingredients -- zinc oxide and titanium dioxide -- are proposed to be safe and effective for sunscreen use. Two others -- aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and trolamine salicylate -- are proposed as not safe and effective for sunscreen use.
The FDA has proposed that it needs more safety information for the remaining 12 sunscreen ingredients (cinoxate, dioxybenzone, ensulizole, homosalate, meradimate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, padimate O, sulisobenzone, oxybenzone, avobenzone). Experts warn that products with these ingredients should be avoided or used with discretion.
The FDA has yet to finalize its proposed regulatory updates. In the meantime, you may be wondering which is the safest sunscreen to use. While there's much debate over top brands, all highly recommended products share similar benefits -- the main being broad-spectrum coverage, which protects against both harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Sunscreen comes in many forms -- creams, lotions, sprays -- but there are two varieties: mineral and chemical. Mineral sunscreen is also known as sunblock because it sits on top of the skin's surface and reflects the sun's rays. Chemical sunscreen is absorbed into the skin; it converts the rays into heat and releases them from the body.
You don't need to bathe in sunscreen but you should apply liberally. Experts suggest using an ounce of lotion to cover your body if you plan on wearing a swimsuit -- that's roughly the amount of a shot glass. Otherwise, it's recommended to use about a teaspoon per body part that is not covered with clothing.
Reapplication is also key when wearing sunscreen, especially if you get wet or use a towel to dry off.
While everyone has a different preference for what they consider the best sunscreen, experts say you should chose one that:
• Provides SPF 30 or higher
• Has broad-spectrum protection
• Is water-resistant (if you're going to get wet)
• Is appropriate for your skin and level of activity