NRS, Sunscreens and You
For several years, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been studying how over-the-counter sunscreen products have been tested, labeled and marketed. On June 14, 2011 they finally issued a new rule.
Here we’ll explain what these new rules say and do, and more important, reassure you that the sunscreen products NRS carries already meet these more stringent regulations, and then some.
The New Regulations
As we explain in How Does Sun Protection Work, both UVA and UVB radiation from the sun pass through the ozone layer and strike the earth’s surface, and us. Sun Protection Factor (SPF) ratings for sunscreens provide a measurement of their protection against UVB sun rays. UVB is the wavelength that causes sunburn and scientists once thought that only UVB rays caused skin damage. Research now proves that UVA radiation, which penetrates the skin more deeply, and is up to 95 percent of the ultraviolet radiation that we receive, also causes skin cancer and early skin aging.
In order to better inform consumers on how to best protect themselves from the harmful effects of sun exposure, the FDA is making these changes to sunscreen marketing and advertizing, effective in summer 2012:
- In order to be labeled as “broad spectrum” (protective against both UVA and UVB), sunscreens must pass testing that shows that they provide UVA protection that is proportional to their UVB protection.
- Only broad spectrum sunscreens with an SPF value of 15 or higher can claim to reduce the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging when used as directed with other sun protection measures. Sunscreens with lesser protective values can only claim to help prevent sunburn.
- Manufacturers cannot label sunscreens as "waterproof" or "sweatproof," or identify their products as "sunblocks," because these claims overstate their effectiveness.
- Important for us water people, water resistance claims must indicate whether the sunscreen remains effective for 40 minutes or 80 minutes while swimming or sweating, based on standard testing.
Sunscreens Carried by NRS
We know that our customers spend lots of time outdoors. That’s why we’re carrying sunscreen products that provide maximum protection. Here’s what the manufacturers have to say about these new standards:
Dermatone:
Travis Rhadans, of Beaumont Products, parent company of Dermatone, tells us that “Dermatone products are made with ingredients providing high UVA and UVB protection, which exceed the levels and standards the FDA will be enforcing. Dermatone has undergone all testing to ensure broad spectrum protection and 80 minutes of water-resistant testing, the highest standard a product can achieve with the FDA.”
Watermans:
Pete Stirling, of Watermans Applied Science, says “Here at Watermans we’re disappointed that the new FDA regulations did not go further in upping the protective standards. We’ve modeled our products around the Australian standards, the strictest in the industry. Not only do Watermans sunscreens provide excellent protection against both UVA and UVB rays; we’ve tested them for up to 240 minutes of water resistance. Unfortunately the new regulations only allow us to label them for the maximum 80 minute claim.”
How to Protect Yourself from the Sun:
- Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least an SPF 15 rating on exposed skin. Apply it 30 minutes before going out into the sun.
- Wear sun protective clothing and broad-brim hats whenever possible.
- Limit your time in the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest. Yeah, that’s hard for us outdoor addicts.
- Use sunscreens with high water resistance ratings – important for boaters.
- Reapply sunscreens, even the water resistant ones, at least every two hours.
As boaters we’re particularly vulnerable to skin damage; reflection off water and sand intensifies the sun’s rays. Don’t mess around with skin damage from the sun. Tanning is not healthy; tanning is the skin’s response to sun damage. Thousands of people die every year from skin cancer.
Boat Often, Boat Safe, Stay Healthy
