New Sunscreen Regulations

If you have been following the news recently, you might have noticed an increase in the number of articles about sunscreen. This increase in coverage follows the announcement by the FDA of new rules and regulations placed on sunscreen manufacturer’s labeling requirements.

For additional historical information on this topic, I have provided links to our blog and YouTube channel below in case you are interested in learning more.

Meanwhile, let’s start with some of the basics. Sunscreen is designed to protect your skin from UV rays from the sun. UV rays are a kind of radiation. There are two types: UVB and UVA. UVB rays cause sunburns and can cause cancer. UVA rays cause wrinkles and the more deadly types of skin cancer, like melanoma. Currently, the SPF rating you see on your sunscreen bottle refers ONLY to the amount of protection that you are getting from UVB rays.

A bottle marked “Broad Spectrum” implies that it protects your skin from both UVB and UVA rays. However, until the new regulations were passed only recently, the sunscreen companies could claim their product was Broad Spectrum even if it provided little or no UVA protection. This means that, currently, you might not be getting the kind of UV protection you think you are.

Once the regulations take effect in 2012, sunscreen companies will only be allowed to say “Broad Spectrum” if it provides an equal amount of protection from UVA rays and UVB rays. This means that as long as you are being protected from UVB rays, you should also have protection from UVA rays.

Another change you will be seeing with the new regulations is sunscreen manufacturers are only allowed to state that their sunscreen protects you from skin cancer and sunburns if they have an SPF of 15 or higher.

This is a great triumph for consumers who want protection from the harmful effects of UV radiation. Until the new regulation takes effect, the only option consumers had was to research each sunscreen blend/manufacturer, and try to decipher on their own  if a sunscreen would really protect them from both types of UV rays.

Thankfully, at least until the new laws take effect, we have taken the worry and stress out of choosing a sunscreen! We carefully consider all of our products before we choose to sell them, so you can rest assured that SunX sunscreen by Cortex protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

The best part is SunX rubs in completely, without leaving that sticky feeling many other brands can leave behind. It also smells great! It doesn’t have that sunscreen smell, or the heavy perfume most brands use to try to cover up the sunscreen smell. Needless to say, we think it’s the best brand out there.

SunX also comes in many easy to use and carry sizes. We sell sunscreen pouches that you can carry in your purse, pocket, work vest or on the go. These handy foil packets are easy to use and keep you protected anywhere. While on the job site, consider the gallon size. You can keep it on your tailgate or next to water cooler to ensure that you and your workers are protected from the sun all year long!

Remember to use sunscreen, and cover up whenever possible. On the job site, consider adding a hard hat shade to your outfit!

Blog:  Protecting Yourself from Sun Damage on the Job

Video: Sunscreen: Deos It Really Work?

Video: Sunscreen: What Are UV Rays?

Video: Sunscreen: UVA and UVB Rays

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Video: Sunscreen: A Look and Feel Comparison