Jun 23, 2008 7:50 pm US/Eastern
Consumer Report: The Truth About Sunscreen
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Despite all the health risks, Americans still love to soak up the sun. But the good news? More and more are using sunscreen.
With more than 800 sun protection products on the market, promising everything from "broad spectrum" and "all day" to "waterproof" and "ultra" protection, for consumers it's not easy to choose.
The sun protection factor helps you decipher how much protection you're getting from the suns damaging rays. But with numbers ranging from 15 to the high 70's, sun lovers are often confused.
"An SPF of 30 is twice as strong as an SPF 15," said consumer Amelia Betro.
Wrong! Dermatologists say there is a large jump between an SPF of 2, which only protects from half of UVB rays, and an SPF of 15. But after that, the increments are so small that an SPF of 70 doesn't really protect you that much more, and recommends a 15 for most people.
"This would be for casual wear. You're going to and from your car. You're putting out the garbage, you're picking up the kids at the bus stop," said Dr. Zoe Draelos of American Academy of Dermatology.
In addition, says Cole, only UVB rays are addressed on labeling. And it's UVA rays doctors now believe do the most amount of damage, causing everything from wrinkles to cancer.
Critics charge that manufacturers are making broad, even false claims about how well their products protect against these dangerous UVA rays, saying there are no federal labeling guidelines as with UVB protection.
What's a consumer to do? Doctors recommend reading the labels. Certain ingredients are key for protection.
"The most important is avobenzone and two other ingredients, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide," said Dr. Draelos.
Originally, the FDA was to unveil the new labeling rules in 1999. But now they're expected in the summer of 2009.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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