You May Get Burned by These Popular Sunscreens

Kristine Solomon
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Be sure you’re covering yourself with the right sunscreen. (Photo: Stocksy)

Word of mouth can often lead to some of your best purchases, but a new study by the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that sunscreen shouldn’t be one of them. It turns out some of the sunscreens that are most popular with consumers fall short of guidelines set by the American Academy of Dermatologists (AAD) — they don’t provide adequate protection and can leave you susceptible to skin cancer, according to an article on Medical Daily.

In order to determine a product’s effectiveness, the AAD uses the Kruskal-Wallace test. This includes a number of variables when it comes to sunscreen, including the SPF, water resistance, and whether or not the product is “broad spectrum” — meaning it provides protection from the various types of UV rays that damage skin, including UVA and UVB.

Of the 65 products tested in the study, 26 — or 40 percent — did not meet the AAD’s standards. Though sunscreen manufacturers are not allowed to label their products as “waterproof,” a sunblock’s water resistance is actually a crucial component — and the lack of resistance to water and sweat was listed as the top reason most products flunked the AAD’s tests.

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It turns out consumers are most likely to give a product a high rating if it smells good, feels nice, or has an appealing color — all factors dubbed “cosmetic elegance.” This explains the popularity of ineffective sunscreens in the study, proving that a doctor’s recommendation is a way more accurate indicator of great skin care products than, say, a friend’s.

Some of the guidelines medical professionals advise using when choosing sunscreen include an SPF of 30 or higher, a broad spectrum of protection, and water resistance. These types of sunscreens provide an adequate barrier that prevents UV rays from penetrating the skin, where they can wreak havoc. The best sunscreens last 40 to 80 minutes before they need to be reapplied — and all sunscreens should be reapplied after swimming.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, about 90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancer — the most common type — are caused by menacing UV rays. Melanoma skin cancer is much less common but far more dangerous and aggressive, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). The ACS estimates that melanoma will account for 76,380 cases of skin cancer in 2016.

A number of factors put you at risk for skin cancer, according to the ACS. These include severe sunburns, moles, and too much exposure to UV rays, whether from the sun or from tanning beds. Sunscreen can help prevent sunburns and protect all kinds of skin — not just pale skin — from cancer and cosmetic damage. That applies to sun exposure year-round — not just during summertime beach jaunts and pool parties.

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