For many years, consumers and researchers alike have called the efficacy of various sunscreens into question.
The organization explains that a high-quality lotion will equally shield against harmful UVA and UVB rays.
However, SPF numbers only reveal the level of UVB rays the product in question protects against.
UVA rays can be much more damaging than UVB.
SPF levels don’t reveal the amount of protection your sunscreen offers against these wavelengths.
These numbers can be over-inflated and lead users to head into the sun without adequate protection.
As the level brims over 50, the returns start to diminish.
Making matters worse, the process by which they assign SPF numbers is far from foolproof.
Essentially, the numbers can create a sense of security that’sfar from warranted.
Next time you’re shopping for sunscreen, keep this in mind.
Reapplying your lotion every hour or so will also help mitigate the harmful rays as well.
Whatever you do, don’t just rely on the SPF count on the bottle!
