Sunscreens

FDA has new labeling requirements on sunscreens to take effect by summer 2012.
Maximum SPF will be 50+.


From fda.gov

Spending time in the sun increases a person's risk of skin cancer and early skin aging.To reduce these risks, consumers should regularly use a Broad Spectrum sunscreen with an SPF value of 15 or higher in combination with other protective measures such as:

• Limiting time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10 AM and 2 PM when the sun's rays are the strongest.
• Wearing clothing to cover skin exposed to the sun (long-sleeved shirts, pants, sunglasses, and broad-brimmed hats) when possible.
• Using a water resistant sunscreen if swimming or sweating.
• Reapplying sunscreen, even if it is labeled as water resistant, at least every 2 hours. (Water resistant sunscreens should be reapplied more often after swimming or sweating, according to the directions on the label.)

Consumers should also be aware that no sunscreens are "waterproof" because all sunscreens eventually wash off. Sunscreens can only be labeled as "water resistant" if they are tested according to the required SPF test procedure. Sunscreens labeled "water resistant" sunscreens will also be required to state whether the sunscreen remains effective for 40 minutes or 80 minutes when swimming or sweating, and all sunscreens will be required to provide directions on when to reapply.