Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Approval

The Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation
If you want to be assured that a sunscreen product is a good one, look for The Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation on the label. Sunscreen products that have been awarded the Seal of Recommendation have met stringent criteria for safety and effectiveness.

The Foundation's Photobiology Committee, comprised of physicians expert in the effects of solar radiation, determines whether a sunscreen satisfies these criteria. To earn the Seal, a manufacturer must prove that its product sufficiently and safely "aids in the prevention of sun-induced damage to the skin."

The requirements include:

A sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or greater
Validation of the SPF number by testing on 20 people
Acceptable test results for phototoxic reactions and contact irritation
Substantiation for any claims that a sunscreen is water- or sweat-resistant

The Seal is also granted to products such as sunglasses and window glass film, sun-protective clothing and laundry products that provide UV protection for fabrics.

More than 230 sun-protection products carry the Seal. It may appear on product labels, packaging and advertising. It has been featured as a useful guide to sun protection products on programs such as Good Morning America and in The Washington Post and Los Angeles Times