Most sunscreens offer little skin-cancer protection

Sunscreens do not protect your skin as much as you probably think. In fact, the majority of sunscreen products offer little or no protection against dangerous cancer- and wrinkle-causing UVA rays — even the ones that are labeled “broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection.” In California, a major lawsuit has even been filed recently accusing the big sunscreen manufacturers of mislabeling their products.

If you spend a lot of time in the sun, protect yourself well and don’t be lulled into a false sense of security just because you’re using what you believe to be a “heavy-duty” high-SPF sunscreen product. For health reasons, some sunlight is ok. But you can protect yourself from serious health problems by following these guidelines:

  • Minimize sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
  • Always use a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15
  • The best sunscreens usually say “broad spectrum” and contain one or more of the following ingredients: zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and avobenzone
  • Most people need about an ounce of sunscreen to adequately cover their entire body (more than you might think!)
  • Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours and every time you go in the water
  • If you go out during the middle of the day, always use a hat and sunglasses

Related:

Sunscreens faulted on cancer protection

Sun Safety Tips

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