The FDA has let sunscreen makers off the hook for another six months. New rules were supposed to go into effect this summer but the deadline has been delayed until December. That means that consumers continue to have little guidance on which sunscreens are most protective. The Food and Drug Administration will require manufacturers to demonstrate that broad spectrum sunscreens actually protect against both UVA and UVB sunlight. Products will be able to make claims that they reduce the risk of skin cancer only if they have a sun protection factor of at least 15.
A new report from the Environmental Working Group raises doubts about the effectiveness of sunscreens for preventing the most serious kind of skin cancer. The consumer-oriented report quotes the FDA that it is “not aware of any studies examining the effect of sunscreen use on the development of melanoma.” There is even some concern that sunscreens containing vitamin A in the form of retinyl palmitate may actually contribute to the development of skin cancer. After evaluating safety evidence from a wide variety of compounds, the Environmental Working Group concluded that sunscreens based on minerals such as zinc and titanium are the best choice because they don’t contain hormone disruptors and do not penetrate the skin.
