Is Your Sunscreen As Safe As You Think?

But what you may not realize is that there is no such a thing as a completely safe sunscreen – namely, one that doesn’t offer both U.V.A. and U.V.B. protection.

The sun’s ultraviolet B (U.V.B.) rays are believed to contribute to burns by affecting the surface layers of the skin, while ultraviolet A (U.V.A.) rays penetrate more deeply and are responsible for premature aging.

Opinion is divided as to which rays contribute more to skin cancer, which is why it’s important to guard against both.

“Low-level damage is actually what causes skin cancer,”  advises Dr. Christian Murray of Women’s College Hospital.

“The drastic trend towards younger people, in particular young women, who are getting it at a faster rate.”

Over 75,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in Canada every year and every year skin cancer claims the lives of a few thousand people.

You want to make sure that your lotion contains both U.V.A. and U.V.B. protection. There are other ingredients you’ll want to look for including zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or avobenzone.

And one coating in the morning before you go out won’t give you full protection. Murray advises you reapply the sunscreen at least every few hours.


The Canadian Dermatology Association has recommendations on what constitutes a good sunscreen. In fact, you can look on the bottle to see if it’s CDA-recognized. Here are the approval criteria that must be met:

  •  The product must have a UVB sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 
  •  The product must contain a broad spectrum UVA block 
  •  The product must be non-comedogenic, non-irritating, and hypo-allergenic 
  •  The product must be minimally or non-perfumed

According to its website, the CDA doesn’t consider products marketed for tanning and requires manufacturers to take a strong stance about protection against skin damage.

If a product is recognized by the Canadian Dermatology Association, the following statement will appear on the product somewhere (usually on the packaging):

“The sun may cause sunburn, premature aging of the skin and skin cancer. Avoiding the sun, wearing protective clothing and regular use of sunscreens over the years may reduce the chance of these harmful effects. The sunscreens in this product meet the criteria established by the Canadian Dermatology Association.”

Also, be careful not to use a sunscreen after its expiry date. Sunscreens contain chemicals that break down, compromising their effectiveness. Keeping a sunscreen in a hot place – like the glove compartment of a car – can accelerate the breakdown.

For a list of CDA-recognized sunscreens, click here.

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