SPF only measures protection from UVB radiation. It has nothing to do with deep-penetrating UVA radiation. In fact, the US has no labeling system that tells consumers how much UVA protection they're getting (or not) in a sunscreen.
It is important for sunscreens to contain adequate concentration of the active ingredients non-nano zinc oxide and non-nano titanium dioxide. An issue that was illuminated as the EWG researched its 2017 guide, is growing SPF values with mineral sunscreens and very low concentrations of active ingredients in many of them. The majority of mineral sunscreens do not provide effective UVA and UVB protection due to low concentrations of active ingredients.
Recommendations for high concentrations of zinc oxide in a sunscreen are growing, ranging from over 15 percent to 20 percent.
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Less Than 15% Zinc Oxide |
15-20% Zinc Oxide |
More Than 20% Zinc Oxide |
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SPF 24 or less |
SPF 24 to 32 |
At least SPF 32 |
It is best to avoid any sunscreens that are less than 20 percent zinc oxide. At low concentrations, the UVA protection is insufficient. A 15 percent zinc oxide formula is only about SPF 24, ideally, we want a minimum of SPF 30. For every one percent of zinc oxide, you get 1.6 SPF units. Every one percent of titanium dioxide gives you 2.6 SPF units. You want a zinc-dominant sunscreen to protect from UVA.
In the nations regulated by the European Commission, manufacturers voluntarily comply with a recommendation that broad spectrum protection by the ratio of UVA to UVB protection, requiring one third of the SPF number to be UVA protection. This provides a significantly greater amount of UVA protection than many American sunscreens, ensuring adequate UVA protection.
Love Sun Body 100% Natural Origin Mineral Sunscreens are made with the safest UVA and UVB filters - our SPF 30 sunscreens are formulated with over 20% non-nano zinc oxide and our SPF 50 sunscreens are formulated with over 20% non-nano zinc oxide and 7% non-nano titanium dioxide, meetings and exceeding the FDA OTC Monograph System, the European Commission’s recommendation on UVA protection and Health Canada Natural Health Products Regulations.
Love Sun Body 100% Natural Origin Mineral Sunscreens are the first and only sunscreens in the U.S. certified by Ecocert Cosmos Natural and have been clinically tested hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic with no eye stinging ingredients.
EWG Verified and highly praised by Think Dirty® and Yuka! Love Sun Body sunscreen formulas are certified PETA cruelty free and vegan.