We’ve gotten the government’s stance on how to make sure that you’re staying safe from skin cancer, and now Consumer Reports is offering their two cents on what sunscreen to use and how to apply it.
In an effort to determine what products are best for consumers, the organization tested a total of 18 of the most popular sunscreens on the market. What they found was that the Walgreens Continuous Spray Sport SPF 50 and No-Ad with Aloe & Vitamin E SPF 45 offered protection sufficient to allow them to gain a crucial “Best Buy” designation. However, that’s not to say that other products were exactly slouches. Seven items held up very well against UVA rays, met Food and Drug Administration mandated broad spectrum label specifications, and after 80 minutes of water immersion were classified as excellent against UVB rays.
Two items did not meet the requirements of a wavelength test. These items were the Banana Boat Kids Tear-Free Sting-Free SPF 50+ and the Alba Botanica Natural Very Emollient Sunblock Sport SPF 45.
Consumer Reports also goes further, offering tips to ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck. They recommend that sunscreens should resist water and have an SPF of 30 or higher. They also say that a person ought to use two or three tablespoons of sunscreen, and that spray products should not be used on children until after the FDA has had the chance to investigate risks associated with inhaling such a product.