Shedding Light on Sunblock

Believe it or not, sunblocks are not created equal. It’s just not the level of protection that you should consider when choosing a sunblock, but also the type and longevity of that protection.   This is a good reminder to all of us to be careful about the products we use and do our research.  Thankfully, the FDA has just made it easier to know which sunblock does what so that we can make informed decisions based on what we need. 

The sun emits both ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation.  While UVB is the main culprit in sunburn, UVA has a higher likelihood of causing skin cancer and premature aging.  Not all sunscreens protect you from both. This is why the FDA has mandated that stricter testing and labeling.  Only those sunscreens that pas the “Broad Spectrum” test, protecting against both UVA and UVB radiation, can be labeled as such.  With these new regulations, sunscreen products that protect against all types of sun induced skin damage will be labeled “Broad Spectrum” and “SPF 15 (or higher)” (Source: USDA).  In addition, sunscreens that are not broad spectrum will include a cautionary label “Skin Cancer/Aging Alert…”.

Please see the latest update from the USDA for more information on the FDA sunscreen regulations.

And, order your sun protection products for your face, body and lips from Rodan+Fields today.  Try the sun protection products with our Reverse Regimen if you already have sun damaged skin.