Just consider yourself warned. If you can't find one of Consumer Reports 's favorites, not all is lost. Just use a chemical sunscreen with SPF 40 or higher: "It increases the likelihood that it will deliver at least the minimum protection recommended by dermatologists," said Consumer Reports deputy editor of health and food Trisha Calvo, in a press release.
Follow Elizabeth on Twitter and Instagram. United States. Type keyword s to search. Today's Top Stories. Your Horoscope for the Week of November As this damage builds, you speed up the aging of your skin and increase your risk for all types of skin cancer. The best type of sunscreen is the one you will use again and again.
The kind of sunscreen you use is a matter of personal choice, and may vary depending on the area of the body to be protected. Available sunscreen options include lotions, creams, gels, ointments, wax sticks and sprays.
Sprays are sometimes preferred by parents since they are easy to apply to children. Make sure to use enough of these products to thoroughly cover all exposed skin.
Do not inhale these products or apply near heat, open flame or while smoking. Current FDA regulations on testing and standardization do not pertain to spray sunscreens. The agency continues to evaluate these products to ensure safety and effectiveness. Some sunscreen products are also available in combination with moisturizers and cosmetics. While these products are convenient, they also need to be reapplied in order to achieve the best sun protection.
Sunscreen also may be sold in combination with an insect repellant. The AAD recommends purchasing and using these products separately — sunscreen needs to be applied generously and often, whereas insect repellant should be used sparingly and much less frequently. Regardless of which sunscreen you choose, be sure to apply it generously to achieve the UV protection indicated on the product label. They contain one or more of the following active ingredients: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, and octinoxate.
These formulations tend to be easier to rub into the skin without leaving a white residue. Opt for this sunscreen if you have sensitive skin. A high-number SPF does not allow you to spend additional time outdoors without reapplication. Sunscreens should be reapplied approximately every two hours when outdoors, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating, according to the directions on the bottle.
The best way to protect infants from the sun is to keep them in the shade as much as possible, in addition to dressing them in long sleeves, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Make sure they do not get overheated and that they drink plenty of fluids. If your baby is fussy, is crying excessively or has redness on any exposed skin, take him or her indoors.
When outdoors, sunscreen should be reapplied approximately every two hours, or as often as the label says. Sunscreens that use the ingredients zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, or special sunscreens made for infants or toddlers may cause less irritation to their sensitive skin. Dermatologists recommend using sunscreen every day when you are outside, not just during the summer. If you are using sunscreen every day and in the correct amount, a bottle should not last long.
If you find a bottle of sunscreen that you have not used for some time, here are some guidelines you can follow:.
Some sunscreens include an expiration date. If the expiration date has passed, throw out the sunscreen. If you buy a sunscreen that does not have an expiration date, write the date you bought the sunscreen on the bottle. You also can look for visible signs that the sunscreen may no longer be good. If you are concerned that you are not getting enough vitamin D, you should discuss your options for getting vitamin D with your doctor.
This approach gives you the vitamin D you need without increasing your risk for skin cancer. Sunscreen products are regulated as over-the-counter drugs by the U. The FDA has several safety and effectiveness regulations in place that govern the manufacture and marketing of all sunscreen products, including safety data on its ingredients. Thanks to the FDA, sunscreen labels provide you with important information about what type of UV protection a sunscreen offers and what a sunscreen can do.
Has an SPF of 30 or higher. Is Water Resistant effective for up to 40 minutes in water or Very Water Resistant effective for up to 80 minutes in water. This means the sunscreen provides protection while swimming or sweating up to the time listed on the label. Sunscreen manufacturers are banned from claiming that a sunscreen is "waterproof" or "sweat proof," as the FDA has determined that those terms are misleading.
Even when using a water-resistant sunscreen, you should reapply after getting out of the water or sweating.
Using sunscreen, seeking shade and wearing protective clothing are all important behaviors to reduce your risk of skin cancer. Food and Drug Administration. Claims that sunscreen ingredients are toxic or a hazard to human health have not been proven. If you are concerned about certain sunscreen ingredients, you can select a formula that contains different active ingredients.
As long as your sunscreen is broad-spectrum, water-resistant and has an SPF 30 or higher, it can effectively protect you from the sun.
Q: I recently heard that suggests the FDA is saying many sunscreen ingredients are unsafe. Is this true? A: No, but the regulatory language can be confusing. What the FDA has done is issue a proposed rule, which asks manufacturers to provide more data about the safety of several sunscreen ingredients.
These sunscreen ingredients have been used in the United States for years. A: This proposal rule classifies sunscreen ingredients. These ingredients are:. Not to worry. Ingredients commonly used in the U. Ingredients not frequently used in the U. Q: Should I stop using sunscreens that contain any of the 12 ingredients that the FDA wants more safety data on? A: While the FDA is asking for more data, it does not say that the ingredients are unsafe. It does not ask the public to stop using sunscreens that contain any of these ingredients.
A recent study by the FDA looked at four sunscreen ingredients and concluded that absorption of these ingredients into the body supported the need for additional safety data. Importantly, the study authors stated that individuals should continue to use sunscreen. Another study by Consumer Reports found nearly half of the sunscreen products analysts examined don't meet the SPF listed on their labels.
According to Newsweek , the Sunscreen Innovation Act of , a law signed by former President Barack Obama allowing more efficient FDA review of sunscreen ingredients, helped drive the positive changes. This could lead to other types of sun damage like melanoma risk and health risks such as allergic reactions, tissue damage, hormone disruption and more.
0コメント