Sunscreen Label Changes Make It Easier To Choose Correct Product

By Lynne Adkins

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - With skin cancer rates on the rise, choosing sunscreen is an important job that needs to be done correctly.

The FDA has recently changed the labeling rules for sunscreen and Dr. Erum Ilyas, a dermatologist at Paoli Hospital, says it's now easy to choose the right one.

She says look for an SPF of at least 30, make sure the label says it's broad spectrum so it protects against UVA and UVB rays and you also need to know how long it protects under moist conditions.

"The FDA has on the labels now water resistant, with a time factor after it [of] 40 minutes or 80 minutes, which basically means that sunscreen will provide the protection either swimming or sweating up to the time printed on the label," explains Dr. Ilyas.

She says if you're out in the sun, reapply because sunscreen doesn't last all day and she says less expensive choices might be better, because you won't skimp on using them because of the cost.