Did you know that there’s a lot of ambiguity surrounding sun protection and SPF? It’s true, but in the USA the FDA is cracking down on it with some new rules, to make sure brands are clearer and customers can make the right decision to stay safe in the sun.

Only sunscreens that pass a test proving they shield from both UVA and UVB rays can be called broad spectrum and only sunscreens with a SPF rating of at least 15 can claim protection against wrinkles, skin cancer, and sunburn. SPFs lower than this will be labelled with “Skin Cancer/Skin Aging Alert: Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging.”

The terms sunblock, waterproof, or sweatproof or not allowed on the label and sun lotion can’t state it provides immediate protection or protection for more than two hours without reapplication, unless tested and approved by the FDA.