Broad SpectrumĬurrent FDA regulations for “broad spectrum” (providing both UVB and UVA protection) sunscreens require that they have a critical wavelength value of 370 nanometers. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), zinc oxide is one of the best UVA filters in American sunscreens. Unfortunately, American sunscreens generally contain inferior UVA protection as compared to those in Europe – you can read more about that here. Approximately 95% of the UV light that reaches our skin is UVA light, therefore it should be of great concern. These rays deeply penetrate the skin and play a role in skin aging. ![]() UVA rays also play a role in skin cancer formation. They are also the main cause of non-melanoma skin cancers, such as squamous cell carcinoma. The sun emits ultraviolet light, or radiation, including ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A (UVA). In the meantime, it is up to you, the consumer, to sift through the lesser products on the market and select the ones that will be good to your body, your family, and our planet. This updated process is intended to improve efficiency, timeliness and predictability and allows the FDA to address safety issues more rapidly. The CARES Act of 2020 included OTC monograph (which includes sunscreen) reform provisions granting the FDA transformative new authorities that will meaningfully advance efforts to modernize drug development and the review process under the OTC Drug Review. ![]() These rules would be an improvement on our current safety standards however, chemical manufacturers and certain sunscreen companies continue to lobby heavily for a weaker proposal. In February of 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a proposed set of rules for sunscreen products. Because sunscreens are not subject to standard drug safety testing, consumers are justified in questioning the safety of these products. You may have seen recent recalls of certain sun-care products and heard some concerning information regarding how quickly certain chemical components in sunscreen are absorbed into the bloodstream. Simple, right? Unfortunately, when it comes to sun protection, there is a lot to consider regarding the safety, efficacy, and environmental impacts of the products you’re using. Wear sunscreen, and don’t forget to re-apply.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |