New FDA guidelines and regulations on sunscreen

Get ready to see some new labels on sunscreen. You won't see the terms "waterproof" or "sweatproof" anymore. Instead, sunscreen will be labeled, "Water Resistant" for either 40 or 80 minutes. Under the new regulations, products may be labeled "broad spectrum" if they block both UVA and UVB radiation as both cause skin cancer.

These measures are necessary, says Lydia Velazquez, PharmD, in FDA’s Division of Nonprescription Regulation Development, because “our scientific understanding has grown. We want consumers to understand that not all sunscreens are created equal.”

“This new information will help consumers know which products offer the best protection from the harmful rays of the sun,” Velazquez says. “It is important for consumers to read the entire label, both front and back, in order to choose the appropriate sunscreen for their needs.”

Learn more here.