Here’s a pretty basic fact about sunscreen – if you don’t use it, it won’t work! But there is a paradox: even though more people are using sunscreen, visible skin aging changes and skin cancer rates have continued to rise. Why?
People often feel a false sense of security when they use sunscreen, thus staying in the sun for longer periods of time. However, if your sunscreen primarily blocks UVB light, you can easily be exposed to dangerous UVA light. UVA light is present in our environment WAY more than UVB light. Thus, the profound damage associated with UVA exposure – aging and melanoma – has been rising.
What is “Broad Spectrum” Sunscreen?
Broad spectrum sunscreen protects from both UVA and UVB light.
Starting June 2012, a sunscreen must demonstrate effective UVA protection in proportion to its SPF claim in order to claim “broad spectrum” protection. If not, the sunscreen must contain the following warning label:
“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 aging.”
Another paradox: the higher the SPF, the less people tend to apply. That’s because higher SPFs tend to be heavier, greasier or have more whitening formulations.
Be safe and use sunscreens that are recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Your skin will thank you 
