Is Your Sunscreen Strong Enough? Sunscreen in the U.S. and Abroad Differ in Strength — Here’s What to Look For to Reduce Skin Cancer Risk

Protecting Yourself From Harmful Sun Rays and Skin Cancer

• Sunscreens available in the U.S., compared to other countries like Europe, offer similar protection with one notable difference.
• U.S. sunscreens are federally regulated based on ultraviolet (UV) rays emitted from the sun in the form of UVB rays. Meanwhile, European sunscreens allow extra ingredients in sunscreen formulas to protect against UVA sun rays as well. This means some U.S. sunscreens may not provide the same level of protection against the deeper-penetrating UVA rays, potentially putting your skin at risk.
• UVB rays can cause sunburns, skin aging, and skin cancer. UVA poses the same risks, but its wavelengths are longer, meaning they can penetrate glass, windows, and your skin at deeper levels.
• Broad-spectrum sunscreens, available in the United States and other countries, protect against both UVB and UVA sun rays, ensuring you are shielded from the full spectrum of harmful sun radiation.
• Use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, protecting against UVB and UVA rays.

Are the sunscreens you’re using truly protecting you from the harmful sun rays contributing to skin cancer? This question has been circulating among experts and individuals concerned about sunscreens' effectiveness in the U.S., sparking a wave of discussion across social media. “Sunscreen in European countries is often regarded as a cosmetic product whereas sunscreen in the U.S. is regarded as a drug and therefore regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA),” Dr. Catherine Pisano, who works in Cutaneous Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, explains. Understanding these regulations can empower you to make informed choices about the sunscreens you use.

Dr. Pisano further clarifies that the FDA regulation imposes certain restrictions on the ingredients used in U.S.-based sunscreens, unlike European sunscreens, which do not have these additional limitations. This difference in regulations allows non-U.S. sunscreens to incorporate a wider variety of ingredients. Another point is how the FDA regulates sunscreens. U.S.-based sunscreens are regulated based on their UVB ray protection. Ultraviolet (UV) rays emitted from the sun can be dangerous to your skin. UVA and UVB rays are among the most impactful rays emitted from the sun that reaches the Earth. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), UVB rays cause “sunburns, skin cancer, skin aging and snow blindness” — a sunburn to the cornea in the eye that leads to temporary loss of vision. In Europe, Dr. Pisano says sunscreens offer UVA ray protection. “UVA has a longer wavelength, penetrates deeper into the skin,” hence the belief that European sunscreens provide greater protection. This could be reassuring for those concerned about the potential risks of UVA rays and looking for a sunscreen that offers comprehensive protection. It should be noted that both UVA and UVB rays can lead to skin cancer.

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• Yes, People Of Color Get Skin Cancer, And It Can Be Deadlier: These Sunscreens Are Made Specifically For Darker Skin Tones

Where to Find Effective Sunscreen in the U.S.?

Dr. Pisano advises people looking for the most effective sunscreen available, similar to sunscreen found in Europe, to seek broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays. “U.S. sunscreens are categorized as chemical or physical blockers. Physical blockers consisting of products with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as the primary ingredient provide protection against both UVB and UVA, whereas chemical blockers are often only effective in protection against either UVB or UVA rays,” Dr. Pisano explained to SurvivorNet. WATCH: Choosing the right sunscreen to protect yourself from skin cancer. Dermatologist Dr. Cecilia Larocca shared a similar sentiment to Dr. Pisano and recommended using broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.

How Often Should I Reapply Sunscreen?

If you’re looking forward to spending more time outside this summer, remember to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face, ears, back of hands, scalp, tops of feet, and neck daily, including cloudy days. UVA rays can also penetrate glass and windows, so there are times when sun protection is needed even indoors. SPF lip balm is recommended to protect your lips from harmful sun rays and skin cancer on or in your mouth.

“Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes prior to going outdoors and reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating,” Dr. Pisano said. The average adult should use one ounce of sunscreen, roughly the size of a shot glass, to cover the entire body. It is also recommended to avoid sun exposure during peak hours, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest.

Be on the Look Out for Signs of Skin Cancer

The main types of skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. In melanoma skin cancer cases, it is more likely to impact nearby tissue and spread or metastasize to other parts of the body. Melanoma also causes the most skin cancer deaths, according to the National Cancer Institute. It starts in the same cells that give your skin, hair, and eyes their color. In melanoma, the cells change in a way that allows them to spread to other organs. WATCH: Am I at risk for melanoma? Changes to a mole you’ve had for a while or a new growth on your skin could be signs of melanoma, according to SurvivorNet’s experts. You’ll want to watch them and tell your doctor about any changes you notice. You’re most likely to find melanoma on sun-exposed skin areas like your face, neck, arms, and legs. Surprisingly, you might also find them in other places as well, like:

• The palms of your hands or soles of your feet
• On your eyes or mouth
• Under your nails

WATCH: The self-exam you should give yourself when checking for signs of skin cancer. When you check your skin, use the acronym ABCDE as your guide. Look for:

• Asymmetrical moles: If you drew a line straight down the center of the mole, would the sides match?
• Borders: Is the mole irregular or jagged?
• Colors: Are there multiple distinct colors in the mole?
• Diameter: Is the mole larger than 6 millimeters (mm), about the size of a pencil head eraser?
• Evolution: Has the mole’s color, shape, or size changed over time?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, our experts say it’s time to see your dermatologist for a skin check.