Shedding Light on Popular Sunscreens

Some popular sunscreen brands may not adhere to sun safety guidelines laid out by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), a new study found.

This study, published recently in JAMA Dermatology, looked at the top 65 sunscreen products for sale on Amazon, a large online retailer.

The Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine researchers behind this study found that 40 percent of the analyzed sunscreens didn't adhere to AAD guidelines. These guidelines include a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher, broad-spectrum protection, and resistance to water and sweat.

Lack of water and sweat resistance was the most common reason these products didn't meet guidelines, these researchers noted.

These researchers said many consumers — who left reviews of the products on Amazon — appeared to choose sunscreens based on factors like color, scent and skin sensation when applied, which don't aid in sun protection.

Sunscreen is an important part of sun safety and can help reduce skin cancer risk.

The authors of this study disclosed no outside funding sources or conflicts of interest.