Want to know how to choose the safest sunscreen?

• Which sunscreens are best and why?
• Is a good sunscreen all I need to be safe?
• Doesn’t the government ensure that sunscreens protect us?
• Which sunscreens are best for children?
• How much sunscreen is enough, and how often?
• Will sunscreen protect me from cancer and wrinkling?
• What does “SPF” mean?
• How high an SPF should I use?
• How do sunscreens work?
• Has using sunscreens lowered skin cancer rates?
• Why shouldn’t I use sunscreen sprays and powders?
• What about products that combine sunscreen with bug repellent?
• My sunscreen’s label has the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation. What does this mean?
• I see the American Cancer Society logo on my Neutrogena sunscreen. Is this a better product?
• I am using a good quality sunscreen with SPF 50, so why did I still get burned?
• How do you remove sunscreen?
• What should I do to protect my pet from the sun?
• Should I be concerned about Vitamin A in my sunscreen?

Which sunscreens are best and why?

An ideal sunscreen would block the majority of UVA and UVB rays with active ingredients that do not break down in the sun, so that the product remains effective. It would also contain only active and inactive ingredients that are proven to be completely safe for both adults and children. Unfortunately, there is no sunscreen on the U.S. market that meets all these criteria and no simple way for consumers to know how well a given product stacks up. That’s why EWG created this guide to safer and more effective sunscreens..

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Is a good sunscreen all I need to stay safe?

No. Sunscreens can only provide partial protection against harmful effects of the sun. Limiting sun exposure and wearing protective clothing are more important for protecting your skin from cancer and premature aging. Be extra careful about spending time in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s burning rays are most intense. And remember that UVA radiation doesn’t decline as much when the sun is lower in the sky or it’s overcast. It also penetrates glass. Apply sunscreen generously 30 minutes before going outside and reapply it often – at least every two hours. Even the best sunscreen won’t work well if you don’t use it correctly (ACS 2007, BCCDC 2003).

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Doesn’t the government ensure that sunscreens protect us?

No. After a 34-year process of reviewing sunscreen safety and efficacy, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently implemented enforceable rules on sunscreen marketing and UVA protection. The FDA now allows American sunscreen makers to claim their products are “broad spectrum,” even though many offer much poorer UVA protection than sunscreens sold in other countries. Based on the products in our 2013 database, EWG calculates that more than half of all beach and sport sunscreens with SPF 30 or higher would not be sold in Europe because they provide inadequate UVA protection. Manufacturers there voluntarily comply with a European Union recommendation that all sunscreens provide meaningful UVA protection in relation to SPF. Also still legal under the new FDA rules are products with sky-high SPFs that prevent sunburn but leave users at risk of UVA-related skin damage. The FDA is investigating the safety of sprayed-on sunscreens that can be harmful when inhaled, but it still allows them to be sold. Powder sunscreens are no longer allowed under the current over-the-counter sunscreen rules, but small manufacturers have until December 2013 to comply with this rule. The agency has not approved sunscreen ingredients that offer strong UVA protection and are widely available in other countries. The U.S. is decades behind other industrialized nations in sunscreen safety.

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Which sunscreens are best for children?

Since kids are more vulnerable to damage caused by the sun and to harmful effects of chemical exposure, be sure to choose a sunscreen that is rated highly for effectiveness against both UVA and UVB radiation as well as safety. Use EWG’s guide to help you find one. If your child is going to be swimming or playing in the water, look for a sunscreen that says it is water resistant. Avoid sprays, powders and products with bug repellent.

Make sure to apply sunscreen generously before children go outside and reapply it often. Don’t believe claims that a product will remain effective for a certain period of time, since these claims are not always reliable. Infants under six months need special protection – a fair-skinned baby does not yet have protective melanin proteins and needs to be kept out of the sun. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you avoid using sunscreens on children younger than 6 months unless protective shade and clothing are not available. In that situation you can apply a minimal amount of sunscreen to exposed skin (AAP 2008). Remember that sunscreen is just one part of a sun-healthy lifestyle. Limiting sun exposure and wearing protective clothing are more important.

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How much sunscreen is enough, and how often?

Follow the advice of the American Cancer Society and put on sunscreen early, regularly and generously. Apply it 30 minutes before going outside and at least every two hours thereafter. Make sure to reapply it after being in the water, sweating a lot or towel drying, since all of these activities can take sunscreen off your skin. (One study indicates that it’s best to reapply your sunscreen after the first 15 to 30 minutes in the sun, so consider doing this as well.) Don’t skimp when putting sunscreen on skin that’s not shaded by clothing or a hat. Studies have shown that consumers typically apply only one-fourth to two-thirds of the amount required to achieve the product’s SPF rating. The FDA recommends applying one ounce (about a palm-full) evenly to all exposed skin (ACS 2007, BCCDC 2003, Diffey 2001)..

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Will sunscreen protect me from cancer and wrinkling?

Both main types of ultraviolet radiation – UVA and UVB – are known to contribute to skin cancer, wrinkling and skin aging. To get the most protection, use a product that filters out a significant proportion of both types. All sunscreens protect against UVB rays, but only some protect against UVA. Many American sunscreens are now labeled “broad spectrum,” but the UVA protection is often inadequate

You can tell how effectively a particular sunscreen protects skin from sunburn by the SPF number – the higher the number, the stronger the protection. But SPF values tell you nothing about UVA protection. The FDA’s rules for broad-spectrum sunscreens are too weak. In 2012, EWG estimated that almost 90 percent of all sunscreens on the market could legally use the “broad spectrum” label even though they provide inadequate UVA protection. There are critical differences among sunscreens, but you can’t find out enough just by reading the label. This is one of the primary reasons EWG created its sunscreen guide – to give consumers much-needed information about how effectively their sunscreen blocks both types of harmful radiation.

Starting this year, most products that meet the “broad spectrum” standard will have text on the label saying: “If used as directed with other sun protection measures (see Directions), decreases the risk of skin cancer and early aging caused by the sun” (FDA 2011a). FDA allowed this claim despite its previous statements that there is no proof that sunscreen use alone can prevent skin cancer (FDA 2007). But the studies FDA reviewed also showed that sunscreen users spend more time in the sun, possibly negating any protective effect. Shade and protective clothing are a more surefire way to reduce sun exposure.

SPF is a measurement of sunburn protection, primarily caused by UVB rays. If your skin would normally burn after 10 minutes in the summer midday sun, for example, wearing a thick layer of an SPF 15 sunscreen would theoretically allow you to stay in the sun for 150 minutes (10 x 15) without burning. This is a rough estimate, however, and your own skin, the type of activities you do in the sun (e.g. involving water or sweat) and the intensity of sunlight may affect how much safety it gives you. Be aware that SPF ratings can be confusing or misleading.

Among other things, SPF ratings can be misleading because the numbers do not reflect the degree of protection from UVA rays, which cause skin aging, immune suppression and cancer. The FDA has warned that high-SPF products can create a false sense of security, contain higher concentrations of allergenic or irritating ingredients and offer little additional sun protection (Branna 2011).

Pick the SPF appropriate for your skin type and expected time in the sun. But remember that UVA protection in U.S. sunscreens maxes out at about 15 to 20, so higher SPF products will not offer proportionally higher protection. The American Cancer Society recommends that people use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, while the American Academy of Dermatology opts for 30. Avoid sunscreens with SPF numbers higher than 50+. More important than seeking out ultra-high SPF products is to apply sunscreen generously – most people put on only one quarter to two-thirds as much as it takes to achieve the product’s SPF rating (ACS 2007, BCCDC 2003, FDA 2007).

The active ingredients in sunscreens absorb, reflect or scatter ultraviolet (UV) radiation, changing the body’s response. Sunscreens typically contain a combination of chemicals that are known to be effective for certain wavelengths of UV light. Some chemicals work better than others, as do some combinations of chemicals. For years, manufacturers created sunscreens that were only effective at screening out UVB radiation, since this is the type that was known to cause sunburn and increase the risk of skin cancer. More recently, manufacturers have worked to create sunscreens that protect skin from both UVB and UVA radiation, since scientists realized that UVA radiation is also harmful. All sunscreens provide UVB protection but vary widely in UVA protection.

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Has using sunscreens lowered skin cancer rates?

FDA and other health agencies say that there is currently inadequate scientific evidence to answer this question. Despite greater sunscreen use and sun awareness, the rate of new melanoma cases – the most dangerous type of skin cancer – continues to increase in American men, women and children. Still, consumers should know that controlled studies comparing sunscreen users with non-users find that sunscreens reduce the risk of one common form of skin cancer (squamous-cell carcinoma) but not another (basal-cell carcinoma). The evidence on melanoma is mixed. This provides further support for the generally accepted recommendation to use sunscreen but not rely on it exclusively to prevent sun-related damage to the skin (NCI 2007, van der Pols 2006, Green 1999).

EWG does not recommend powder and spray sunscreens because of concerns about inhalation. The FDA is reviewing safety and efficacy data for sprays. In its 2011 sunscreen rules, implemented in December 2012, the agency decided that powdered sunscreens should no longer be sold under the current over-the-counter sunscreen rules and should be subject to the more rigorous new drug application process (FDA 2011a,b). However, small manufacturers were allowed an additional year to comply with the rules (FDA 2012).

EWG is especially concerned about inhalation of nano-sized and micronized zinc and titanium in powdered sunscreens and makeups. Inhalation is a much more direct route of exposure to these compounds than skin penetration, which appears to be low in healthy skin. If you want the benefits of a mineral sunscreen, choose a zinc- or titanium-containing lotion instead of a powder. If you use a pump or spray sunscreen, lower your inhalation risk by applying it on your hands and then wiping it on your face.

EWG recommends that you not use products that combine bug repellent with sunscreen. For starters, bugs may not be a problem during the hours that UV exposure peaks. Also, sunscreen may need to be reapplied more frequently than bug repellent, or vice versa. Also, it’s wise to avoid using repellent chemicals on your face. Most worrisome is that sunscreens often contain penetration enhancers, which help chemicals penetrate skin. Studies indicate that concurrent use of sunscreens and pesticides leads to increased skin adsorption of the pesticide (Wang T. 2006, Wang T. 2007). FDA is studying the safety of sunscreens with added insect repellents and considering new labeling requirements, but it hasn’t yet reached a conclusion.

Hundreds of sun protection products bear the Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation, but this certification is granted only to manufacturers who join the Foundation’s Corporate Council at a cost of $10,000 a year. The Foundation claims to set “stringent criteria” for sun protection, but its seal is based on requirements that are less rigorous than those of the American Academy of Dermatology or EWG. In its “active sunscreens” category, the Foundation accepts any SPF of 30 or higher and requires in-person SPF testing, data showing the product doesn’t cause phototoxic reactions or irritation and substantiation for claims of water resistance.

In May 2012, the Skin Cancer Foundation brought its requirements in line with the FDA’s 2011 standards for “broad spectrum” UVA protection, a move that will rubber-stamp as safe nearly every sunscreen on the market. Europe, Japan and Australia have set higher requirements for UVA protection, a position supported by sunscreen experts (Diffey 2012).

EWG urges the Foundation to raise the bar and reward only superior sunscreens with its Seal of Recommendation.

The American Cancer Society and Neutrogena have partnered to raise public awareness of skin cancer. Neutrogena pays a royalty to use the Society’s logo, but ACS says this is not an endorsement or validation of the efficacy of the products.

According to the ACS website: “As part of our relationship with Neutrogena, the American Cancer Society logo appears on some of their sunscreen products, along with a disclosure about the nature of our relationship. Specifically, the notice states that we do not endorse a specific product and that a royalty fee has been paid for the use of our brand logo” (ACS 2007).

With proper use of an SPF 50 sunscreen, you should be able to get 50 times more sun exposure before burning than if you were not wearing sunscreen at all. Proper use means that: you apply sunscreen 20-30 minutes before being exposed to the sun; you apply about one ounce or more over your entire body (that’s more than you think!); and you reapply it frequently. Make sure to reapply every two hours and after swimming, sweating or toweling off. Many studies show that consumers apply only a quarter to half the recommended amount of lotion. That means that an SPF 50 product will act more like SPF 7, and you are more likely to come home from the beach with a sunburn.

Chemical-based sunscreens will be broken down by the sun and loose their effectiveness over time. Normal swimming, toweling and sweating will also remove sunscreen. At the end of the day, warm water, soap and a bit of elbow grease are the best ways to get sunscreen off your skin.

Animals can get sunburned and even get skin cancer. The most sensitive areas are those not covered by hair. Avoiding peak sun intensity between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. is the best strategy. The American Animal Hospital Association cautions that only fragrance-free, pet-specific products should be used on animals. Grooming behaviors put cats at greater risk of ingesting harmful ingredients in sunscreens. (Rainey 2009).

EWG recommends that consumers avoid sunscreen with vitamin A. (Look for “retinyl palmitate” on the label). Sunscreen manufacturers add retinyl palmitate to about a quarter of all sunscreens.

Data from an FDA cancer study showed that retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A commonly used as a sunscreen ingredient, may speed the growth of skin tumors. These effects happen only when retinyl palmitate or other forms of vitamin A are used on skin in the presence of sunlight. The study of retinyl palmitate’s toxicity was conducted by scientists at the FDA and the National Toxicology Panel (NTP 2012). Their findings reinforced earlier data identifying health risks of vitamin A in sun-exposed skin care products.