Sunscreen Ratings

Just in time for the Memorial Day weekend and the start of the summer season, a new report on sunscreen. Consumer Reports Associate Editor Nicole Sarrubbo. “We tested 12 sunscreens and we have six that we recommend.  Those six will provide at least very good or excellent UVB protection, those are the rays that can burn you and very good UVA protection, those are the rays that penetrate a little deeper and together both kinds of rays can potentially cause skin cancer.” Benefits outweigh concerns related to sunscreen, adds Sarrubbo. “While there are some potential safety concerns related to some of the sunscreen ingredients, Consumer Report’s experts continue to recommend the use of sunscreen and feel that the benefits outweigh any potential harms.” The report also finds some of the priciest sunscreens Consumer Reports tested offered less than their labeled SPF value, a measure of protection from burning UVB rays, explains Sarrubbo. “Out of our six recommended sunscreens, three of them are lotions and three are sprays.  And three are from Target, Walmart and Walgreen’s and you can get a top rated sunscreen for as little as .47 cents an ounce, that’s the one from Walmart.” Sarrubbo offers this advice on the use of sunscreen protection. “An important thing to keep in mind when you are using sunscreen, especially if you are going out this weekend for Memorial Day weekend: apply 15 to 30 minutes before you go outside, keep reapplying every two hours or every time you go in the water or if you sweat a lot, and keep in mind that sprays are for adults, use lotions on kids.” In Consumer Reports’ ratings of sunscreens, Up & Up Sport SPF 50 spray from Target and Equate Ultra Protection SPF 50 lotion from Walmart earned the highest scores in tests and were among the least expensive.