Do People Understand the New FDA Sunscreen Labels?

For labeling to be effective, consumers must know what it means.

In 2011, the FDA approved a new sunscreen labeling system that maintained sun protection factor (SPF) as a quantitative index of ultraviolet B (UVB) protection and initiated a new system for rating UVA protection. Do consumers understand the new labels? Investigators surveyed 114 patients aged 18 and older attending an academic medical center dermatology clinic in summer 2014 regarding sunscreen labels.

Most responders did know which label items referred to UVA and to UVB protection. However, more than 40% indicated that their choice of sunscreen was driven primarily by high SPF, sensitive-skin formulation, and water or sweat resistance, and only about one third thought that use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen was important. A surprisingly sma…

Reviewing Author

Craig A. Elmets, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Astellas Pharmaceuticals

EquityVaxin

Grant / Research support NIH; NIH/NCI; Veteran’s Administration; Ferndale Laboratories; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma, Inc.

Editorial boards Cancer Prevention Research; Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine; UpToDate; eMedicine; Journal of Dermatological Sciences; JAMA Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Vice Chair, Committee on Science and Research); Photomedicine Society (Board of Directors)