Decode Your Label: Sunscreen
Author: Allison B. Vought
Saturday, June 2, 2018
Learn everything you need to know about confusing ingredietns and information on suncreen labels!
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).