WASHINGTON, June 14 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Tuesday issued new rules on sunscreens that specify which lotions protect the skin while folks have some fun in the sun.
The FDA said sunscreens must protect equally against two kinds of the sun's radiation -- UVB and UVA -- to be designated as offering "broad spectrum" protection, The New York Times reported.
UVB rays cause burning, UVA rays cause wrinkling and both types cause cancer.
The rules, effective in a year, also will ban sunscreen manufacturers from claiming their products are waterproof or sweatproof because such claims are false, officials said. Rather, manufacturers can claim, in minutes, the amount of time the product is water resistant, depending upon test results.
The new rules also provide that only sunscreens with a sun protection factor of at least 15 can state they help prevent sunburn and reduce risks of skin cancer and early skin aging, the Times said.
"We think this is going to be much easier for the consumer to understand," Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the agency's drug center, told the Times. "All they're [consumers] going to need to do is pick an SPF number and then make sure that it's broad spectrum."
