There are a lot of options when buying sunscreen and a Consumer Reports’ survey found people who lather up don't always understand what they're buying.
"People look at the SPF, or sun protection factor, and that's very important, but it's only one part of protecting your skin from the sun," Consumer Reports health editor Trisha Calvo said.
The SPF is a measure of how well a sunscreen shields your skin from UVB rays, which penetrate the top layer of skin and are the chief cause of sunburns. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and can contribute to wrinkles. Both UVA and UVB rays can increase the risk of skin cancer.
Consumer Reports recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen so you’re protected against both kinds of rays.
Sixty sunscreens were put to the test to see whether they deliver the protection they claim. In the UVB tests, technicians applied sunscreen to panelists' backs and had them soak in a tub for 40 or 80 minutes, depending on the product's water-resistance claim. Then the area was exposed to UVB light.
The next day, the test area was examined for redness. More than 40 per cent of the sunscreens tested didn't have the SPF they promised. To check UVA, technicians pass UVA light through sunscreen samples. Again, some had problems.
But Consumer Reports found some sunscreens aced the tests and are a good value. Among the best - Pure Sun Defense SPF 50 for about $6, Equate Ultra Protection SPF 50 for about $8, and No-Ad Sport SPF 50 for $10.
