Better Sunscreen Labels Still May Mislead

Sunscreens that Americans buy this summer should have more accurate labels. Updated rules from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took effect in December. But a consumer group says some labels may still be misleading. Sunscreens have a sun protection factor (SPF) to indicate how well they work. The FDA says sunscreens with an SPF of 15 to 50 can claim protection against skin cancer and early aging, as well as sunburn. The FDA says there’s no proof that protection increases further for numbers above 50. But an Environmental Working Group survey found higher numbers on 1 out of 7 products. The group checked 1,400 sunscreens. Experts worry that numbers above 50 could encourage people to stay out in the sun longer. The new FDA rules require all “broad spectrum” sunscreens to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Both can cause skin cancer. UVA rays also cause skin aging.