Monday, July 9, 2012

New Sunscreen Rules for NEXT Summer

New sunscreen regulations from the US Food and Drug Administration were supposed to go into effect on June 14, but it looks like the FDA pushed the date all the way back to December 2012.

Soon, sunscreen manufacturers will be required to test their products and meet new labeling requirements. This means that consumers will finally have accurate information for how well a product actually protects against UVA and UVB. (Read more about the new regulations in this Forbes article.)

Remember that you want protection against both UVA (aging) and UVB (burning). Since the new regulations are not yet in effect, it's up to you to read the sunscreen labels very close before buying.

Summertime Sunscreen Reminders
Colorado receives 300 days of sun a year, more than any other part of the country, and sunblock is essential if you want your skin to look great. For extra protection, you should limit your time in the sun (especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.), wear sunglasses, broad-rimmed hats, and clothing to cover your skin. Don't forget to apply sunblock every 2 hours, even if your sunscreen is labeled water resistant.