The History of SPF Regulation and How Sunscreen Works
Plus, Your Top Sunscreen Q’s Answered
Presented by Ulta Beauty
There's been so much news (and drama!) within the sunscreen industry that we thought a primer on the history of SPF was due for The Glossary. We talk aboout sunscreen nonstop on the pod, but how does it actually work? What's the best way to reapply over makeup? How is it regulated? Is SPF 50 really better than SPF 30? Learn about the beginnings of sunscreen regulations in the United States, who we can thank for broad-spectrum protection, as well as all of our favorite sunscreen picks — from face to body — all available at Ulta Beauty, who we are proudly partnering with on this episode of The Glossary.
All our product recs are available at Ulta Beauty stores or Ulta.com:
CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen, Broad Spectrum SPF 30, $17
Kate Somerville Daily Deflector Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40, $50
Shiseido x Tory Burch Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen, $49
Dermalogica Prisma Protect SPF 30, $65
Sun Bum Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50, $16
Everyday Humans Oh My Bod SPF 50, $18
St. Tropez x Ashley Graham’s Glow Kit, $55
Sources:
Sunscreen Drug Products For Over-the-Counter Use (FDA Monograph, Aug. 1978)
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drug Monograph Process (FDA)
Enforcement Policy — OTC Sunscreen Drug Products Marketed Without an Approved Application Guidance for Industry (FDA May 2018 Compliance)
Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun (FDA)
Sunscreens and Photoprotection (StatPearls via NCBI)
Sunscreen Protection in the Ultraviolet A Region: How to Measure the Effectiveness (Wiley Online Library)
Breaking Down Broad-Spectrum Protection: Why Your Sunscreen Needs to Have It (Skin Cancer Foundation)
How Do the Chemicals in Sunscreen Protect Our Skin From Damage? (The Conversation)
Sun Protection Through the Ages (Heifer International)
Sunscreen Essentials (U.S. Dermatology Partners)
The History & Future of Sunscreens (Entekno Materials)
Franz Greiter: The Man and His Work (Springer Link)