Sunscreens: Report About Skin Protection
According to an article in the July issue of Consumer Reports, a new ranking of the more than 700 sunscreen products on the market, most (84%) did not provide protection to the skin as they indicate to provide when tested. The ranking came from a review of 400 published articles about sunscreens by the Environmental Working Group. The overall finding was that many sunscreens on the market either do not block harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or they break down when exposed to sunlight. Specifically, products that carry the same or similar SPF (sun protection factor) number ranked everywhere from “excellent” to “poor” in their ability to protect.
The SPF (listed on each sunscreen product sold) is an incomplete measure since it only refers protection against the sun’s UVB rays. The SPF does not provide information about protection against UVA rays. The US government has yet to establish UVA protection guidelines. Even so, health experts suggest that a SPF of 30 or higher is nearly always preferred. Sunscreens contain ingredients that absorb UV light, reflect light, or some do both.