Decode Your Label: Sunscreen

Broad Spectrum: means the sunscreen protects against UVB and UVA rays and helps prevent skin cancer and sunburn.

Sun Protection Factor (SPF): is a measure of how well a sunscreen will protect skin from UVB rays.

Active Ingredient: Therapeutic substance in product; amount of active ingredient per unit.

Inactive Ingredients: Substances such as colors or fragrance.

Uses: Symptoms or diseases the product will treat or prevent.

Purpose: Product action or category (such as sunscreen).

Directions: Specific age categories, how much to use and how often.

Warnings: When not to use the product; conditions that may require advice from a doctor before taking the product; possible interactions or side effects; when to stop taking the product and when to contact a doctor; if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, seek guidance from a health care professional; keep product out of children’s reach.

Water Resistant (effective for up to 40 minutes in water) or Very Water Resistant (effective for up to 80 minutes in water): This means the sunscreen provides protection while swimming or sweating up to the time listed on the label.

Other Information: How to store the product properly and required information about certain ingredients (such as the amount of active ingredient the product contains).