Many shoppers don't know what to look for or how to read a label when it comes to buying sunscreen, according to a recent study The Huffington Post reported.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that only 43 percent of consumers understood the definition of sun protection factor (SPF) and only 7 percent knew what to look for on a label if they wanted a sunscreen that offers protection against early skin aging.
"We need to do a better job of educating people about sun protection and make it easier for them to understand labels," said Dr. Roopal Kundu, lead author of the study.
Sunscreens with SPF help protect the skin from ultraviolet B (UV-B) rays. UV-B rays are the main cause of sunburns. However, research has shown that both ultraviolet A (UVA) and UVB can contribute to premature skin aging and skin cancers.
In 2011, the Food and Drug Administration announced new regulations for sunscreen labels to emphasize the importance of 'broad spectrum protection' sunscreen that protects the skin from both UVA and UVB rays.
For the study, researchers surveyed more than 100 people last summer to assess how well consumers understand new sunscreen labels and evaluate how much they know about sun protection
The results showed that nearly 80 percent of those surveyed had purchased sunscreen in 2013, and 75 percent said preventing sunburn was a top reason they wore sunscreen, followed by preventing skin cancer (almost 66 percent). The three top factors influencing their decisions to purchase a particular sunscreen were highest SPF value, sensitive skin formulation and water and sweat resistance.
"A lot of people seem unsure about the definition of SPF, too," Kundu said. "Only 43 percent understood that if you apply SPF 30 sunscreen to skin 15 minutes before going outdoors, you can stay outside 30 times longer without getting a sunburn."
The findings are detailed in JAMA Dermatology.
