July is UV safety awareness.

Choose sunscreen that protects your skin.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., affecting about 1 in 5 Americans. Most skin cancers are treatable when found early—and protecting your skin from UV rays helps lower your risk. Regular sunscreen use is one of the best protections from UV rays. Understanding sunscreen labels can help you choose the right one:

• Broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays. This helps prevent sunburn, skin cancer, and premature skin aging.
• SPF (Sun Protection Factor) measures how well sunscreen protects against UVB rays that cause sunburn. Choose SPF 30 or higher for daily protection.
• “Water-resistant” sunscreens need to be reapplied after swimming, sweating, toweling off, and at least every two hours outdoors.
• “Sport,” “baby,” or “sensitive skin” labels are not officially defined by the FDA, but often indicate formulas designed for sweating or sensitive skin. Many sensitive skin/baby sunscreens use mineral ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which are less likely to irritate the skin.
• No sunscreen blocks 100% of UV rays, so it’s also important to seek shade and wear protective clothing, hats, and UV-blocking sunglasses.

Learn more on our website.