US Pharm. 2011;36(8):13.
Silver Spring, MD—According to the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, sunscreen products must now pass the FDA’s test for protection against both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation—which contribute to sunburn, skin cancer, and early skin aging—in order to be labeled as “Broad Spectrum.” Under the new regulations, any sunscreen that is not considered both broad spectrum and SPF 15 (or higher) will be required to carry a warning stating that the product has not been shown to reduce the risk of skin cancer or help prevent premature skin aging. The maximum SPF value permitted on sunscreen labels will be limited to “50 +” because there are insufficient data to show that products with higher SPFs provide greater protection. The new guidelines will go into effect for most manufacturers in 2012.
To comment on this article, contact rdavidson@uspharmacist.com.
