Summer is here, and Americans are heading to the beach, sunscreen in hand. But that bottle of sunscreen may not provide the protection you think it does... And a new study tells us why.
For many of us, applying it is the first step in a sun-soaked summer day on the beach. But new research suggests that while many popular sunscreens may work fine on dry land, their effectiveness could decrease dramatically once you sweat or hit the water.
Researchers at Northwestern University looked at Amazon's website and picked out the most highly rated sunscreens among consumers. They examined these products to see if they met all of the American Academy of Dermatology's guidelines for these products.
While most products met the bar for SPF and broad spectrum coverage, nearly one in three fell short when it came to being waterproof and sweat proof -- a big problem for swimmers and those who prefer to be active on the beach.
So when you're out shopping for sunscreen, be sure to look at the label. Find the products that not only have SPF 30 or over and broad spectrum protection, but also those that hold up against water and sweat.
And don't forget to reapply!
Here are a couple charts showing the study's findings.
And another:
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