1. Antiaging Tips & Secrets Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the Sun Safety Quiz!
3. Take the Skin Quiz

Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

View Full Profile

In this Article

• What is sun protection?
• How is sunburn best prevented?
• What is sunscreen?
• What is meant by SPF?
• Are all sunscreens equally effective against UV radiation?
• How do sunscreens work, and which sunscreen ingredients protect against both types of UV radiation?
• How should skin sunscreens be applied?
• Do water or perspiration wash off sunscreen?
• Can sunscreens cause a skin reaction?
• Should everyone use sunscreen protection?
• Can the labels on sunscreen products be trusted in the U.S.?
• Do all tanning products contain sunscreens?
• What kind of sunglasses should be worn?
• Is sunscreen protection necessary in the winter?
• Are a good sunscreen and sunglasses enough?
• Sun Safety FAQs
• Find a local Dermatologist in your town
• Sun Protection and Sunscreens Index

In the past, manufacturers' claims on sunscreen packaging were largely unregulated. However, in recent years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued new labeling regulations for over-the-counter sunscreens. According to these FDA guidelines, sunscreen labels were prohibited from making claims that are considered unproven or absolute such as "waterproof" and "all-day protection." On June 14, 2011, the FDA announced new requirements for sunscreens currently sold over the counter (OTC) that should be effective for the 2012 summer season. Earlier regulations for sunscreens concerned protection against sunburn, which is primarily caused by ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from the sun, and did not address ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation, which is a cause of skin cancers and early skin aging.

According to the 2011 ruling, all products that claim to provide broad spectrum sun protection must comply with the following rules:

1. If a sunscreen is labeled as "broad spectrum," it must pass a test that measures the product's ultraviolet A (UVA) protection relative to its ultraviolet B (UVB) protection. The label must indicate the degree of SPF or overall protection. Broad-spectrum SPF products with SPF values higher than 15 provide greater protection and may claim additional uses, as described below.
2. Manufacturers of broad-spectrum sunscreens with SPF of 15 or higher may claim that these products reduce the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging if used as directed with other sun-protection measures. Non-broad-spectrum sunscreens (those that do not pass the broad spectrum test described above) and broad-spectrum sunscreens with an SPF value between 2 and 14 can only claim to help prevent sunburn.
3. Manufacturers cannot label sunscreens as "waterproof" or "sweatproof" or identify their products as "sunblocks" because these claims are exaggerations. No sunscreen can completely block the sun's rays. According to the FDA ruling, "Sunscreens also cannot claim to provide sun protection for more than two hours without reapplication or to provide protection immediately after application (for example, "instant protection") without submitting data to support these claims and obtaining FDA approval."
4. Manufacturers of sunscreens that claim to be water resistant must indicate on the product label whether the sunscreen remains effective for 40 minutes or 80 minutes while swimming or sweating, based on standard testing. Products that are not water resistant must contain instructions on the label telling consumers to use a water-resistant sunscreen if swimming or sweating.