Confused as you walk down the sunscreen aisle?  Apparently so were alot of other people.  So the FDA announced some changes that they will require for sunscreen labeling.  Here are the facts:

When choosing a sunscreen, look for one that offers broad-spectrum protection.  According to the CBS Evening News, manufacturers may only label their product as broad-spectrum “only if the sunscreen protects [against] ultraviolet B which causes burning and ultraviolet A which causes wrinkling.”  The AP reports that sun protection products that aren’t broad-spectrum, or that are less than SPF 15 will be labeled with a warning that reads: “This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging.”

The Washington Post reports that the FDA will do away with the terms sunblock, waterproof, and sweatproof due to the inaccuracy of the terms.  Instead, they will be labeled water-resistant.

The FDA has not yet decided if it will require manufacturers to do away with excessively high SPF numbers (SPF 80, 90, 100).  According to the New York Times, products that are labeled with that high of a SPF “offer little more protection than those with an SPF of 50.”  USA Today reports that everyone should use at least an SPF 30 sunscreen. 

Before you head out to the beach this summer, make sure your sunscreen offers broad-spectrum protection, that it is at least an SPF 30 or higher, and that you apply enough sunscreen (think a shot glass size amount for the entire body), and re-apply every one to two hours while outdoors.