Do Other Countries Have Better Sunscreen Products Than We Do?
What’s New In Sun Protection
For years, there have been consumer and manufacturer complaints that the Food and Drug Administration and other government agencies have taken too long to review certain sunscreen ingredients that are currently found in European sun protection products and that may be beneficial to U.S. consumers. In November of 2014, the Sunscreen Innovation Act was passed in an attempt to streamline the review process, as the FDA has been studying the ingredients in sunscreen for more than a decade.
This past February, the agency determined that it still could not approve the additives ecamsule and enzacamene, and six others they had been researching, due to a lack of data to support their safety. The two aforementioned ingredients are said to protect the skin again cancer-causing ultra-violet (UV) rays.
This is a giant setback for manufacturers, who want new formulations of sunscreen to introduce to the U.S. over-the-counter market. Sounds like it will be a while before consumers will see that but stay tuned.
Beyond Sunscreen: Step Up Your Sun Protection With Hats, Sunglasses and SPF Clothing. Or As the American Cancer Society Would Say, ‘Slip. Slop. Slap and Wrap’!
We Floridians are pretty savvy about our need for sun protection, but here’s a little reminder to follow-through with it. And this silly phrase will help you do it.
- Slip on a shirt. Go the extra mile and slip on clothing that has added sun protection inside. Columbia, REI, Coolibar, Solumbra and hundreds of other brands sell sun protection gear in every color, size and style.
- Slop on sunscreen. Okay maybe don’t slop it on the floor but do spread it evenly over all exposed parts, being careful around your eyes of course. More about the eyes in Step 4 though.
- Slap on a hat. Keep your scalp and ears protected with a comfy and stylish hat. Remember those sun protection clothing brands referenced in Step #1? They all sell hats—cool ones in fact.
- Wrap those eyes in sunglasses. Luckily most Tampa Bay residents don’t cross the street without a cool a pair of shades on. And their eyes will thank them for it as they age! Bonus coverage for those glasses that wrap around more of the eye, blocking sunlight from above and the sides of your face.
