Skin Care Products – Sunscreen – SPF and Broad Spectrum

Sun protection factor (SPF) indicates protection against UVB rays only. Sunscreens described as broad-spectrum protect against both UVB and UVA rays. However, there is no standard way to measure a product's efficacy for shielding against UVA rays.

Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 to 30 and a variety of active ingredients. These may be more likely to protect skin from a full spectrum of UV radiation. Ingredients that offer UVA protection include:

• avobenzone (Parsol 1789®)
• titanium dioxide
• zinc oxide

Read the latest research on the damaging effects of UVA/UVB rays with RealAge Smart Search.