The New FDA Regulations on Sunscreens

The new regulations for over-the-counter sunscreens, set by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are starting to apply from June 2012. The new regulations should ensure that sunscreens meet modern-day standards for safety and effectiveness, and they are formulated to help you find adequate sun protection for yourself more easily.

Choosing a right method of sun protection is very important since it may reduce the risk of skin cancer, sun-induced aging, and prevent sunburn. We all need protection from sun’s UV radiation, which includes both UVB and UVA wavelengths. UVB radiation mainly causes sunburn, but both types of ultra violet radiation can cause skin cancer and early skin aging. No sunscreen completely blocks UV radiation, but choosing a right sunscreen, and using it as directed, can dramatically reduce your risk of skin cancer and sun damage to the skin. The best choice would certainly be a sunscreen with broad spectrum UV protection and SPF 15 or higher. Here is a short video to help you understand the differences between various sunscreens and why some of them work, while others don’t.

To help you understand everything you should know about  FDA’s new sunscreen regulations, two of the Target’s pharmacists have made this useful infographic. Check it out to learn how to interpret new kinds labeling you'll find on the sunscreen package: