--- description: Get explanations of key terms appearing on sunscreen labels that you should understand when selecting a sunscreen product. title: How to Read a Sunscreen Label - The Skin Cancer Foundation image: https://www.skincancer.org/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-949515556.jpg --- ![Sun \& Skin News]() # How to Read a Sunscreen Label By Skin Cancer Foundation • Published On: July 5, 2022 • Last Updated: September 16, 2026 ![Young couple choosing sunscreen standing pharmacy store](https://www.skincancer.org/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-949515556-1024x683.jpg) Reading a [sunscreen](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sunscreen/) label shouldn’t be like deciphering a foreign language. But a study in *JAMA Dermatology* found that many people don’t understand how to read a sunscreen label or how the product protects the skin. Only 43 percent of survey respondents understood the meaning of an [SPF value](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sunscreen/#spf). ![]() Given these findings, we considered it a good time to brush up on sunscreen basics. Here are explanations of key terms appearing on sunscreen labels that you should understand when selecting a product: 1. **Broad Spectrum:** It’s essential for your sunscreen to offer broad spectrum protection, which means that it offers effective protection against *both* [**UVA** (ultraviolet A)](https://www.skincancer.org/risk-factors/uv-radiation/#uva) and  [**UVB **(ultraviolet B)](https://www.skincancer.org/risk-factors/uv-radiation/#uvb) rays, the solar wavelengths proven to damage the skin. UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB, and are the chief cause of wrinkles, sagging and other signs of aging. UVB rays damage the skin’s upper surface and are the main cause of [sunburn](https://www.skincancer.org/risk-factors/sunburn/). Both cause skin cancer. 2. **Sun Protection Factor (SPF):** [The SPF](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/ask-the-expert-does-a-high-spf-protect-my-skin-better/) number measures how much of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation it takes to redden your skin when using a particular sunscreen (applied generously and evenly, and reapplied after two hours or after sweating or swimming) compared with the amount of UV radiation that reddens the skin without any sunscreen. As the SPF number increases, the protection from sunburn increases. A sunscreen’s SPF number reflects both the amount of UVB and UVA protection it provides. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends always using a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher – SPF 50 or higher for extended stays outdoors. Note that in the real world, no matter what the SPF, sunscreens start to lose effectiveness over time, so it’s important to reapply every two hours, and after swimming or sweating. 3. **Water-resistant**: The terms “water-resistant” and “sweat-resistant” indicate whether the sunscreen remains effective for 40 minutes or 80 minutes when you are swimming or sweating. Since no sunscreen is fully “waterproof” or “sweatproof,” the FDA prohibits these terms. 4. **The Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation**: Look for our Seal to assure yourself that a product is safe and effective.  Scientific data for each product that is submitted for the  [Seal of Recommendation](https://www.skincancer.org/prevention/seal-of-recommendation) is reviewed by a volunteer committee of renowned photobiologists — experts in the study of the interaction of ultraviolet radiation and the skin. **The Daily Use Seal** is earned by sunscreens that protect against brief everyday sun exposures, the kind you experience walking to the car or running errands. The **Active Seal** is earned by sunscreens that protect against prolonged sun exposure, like when you’re exercising outdoors or spending the day at the beach. 5. **Active ingredients:** This area of the label, often on the back of the bottle or tube, lists the main ingredients in sunscreens that protect your skin against UV rays. There are two main types of filters, commonly called chemical or mineral, but the more accurate scientific terms for these are organic and inorganic. Many sunscreens available today combine both types of ingredients. No matter what you call them, *all* sunscreen active ingredients are chemicals. Here’s how they differ: - **Organic** (sometimes still called “chemical”) ingredients are carbon-based molecules, such as avobenzone or bemotrizinol (BEMT), an active ingredient long used with good safety data in many countries and FDA-approved in 2026 for use in the U.S. Organic filters work by absorbing ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is then dissipated as heat. - **Inorganic** (mineral, sometimes still called “physical”) ingredients include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. They stay on top of the skin and primarily absorb ultraviolet (UV) radiation and minimally scatter and reflect the radiation. ##### Categories - [Ask the Expert](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/ask-the-expert/) - [Child Sun Safety](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/child-sun-safety/) - [Destination Healthy Skin](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/destination-healthy-skin/) - [Healthy Lifestyle](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/healthy-lifestyle/) - [Inside The Skin Cancer Foundation](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/inside-the-skin-cancer-foundation/) - [Monthly Newsletter](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/enews/) - [News & Research](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/news-research/) - [Skin Cancer Awareness Month](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/skin-cancer-awareness-month/) - [Skin Cancer Information](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/skin-cancer-information/) - [Skin Cancer Myths & Misinformation](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/skin-cancer-myths-misinformation/) - [Skin of Color](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/skin-of-color/) - [Tanning](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/tanning/) - [The Big See](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/the-big-see/) - [The Skin Cancer Foundation Journal](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/the-skin-cancer-foundation-journal/) - [This Is Skin Cancer](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/true-stories/) - [Why We Give](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/why-we-give/) ##### Follow Us [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/skincancerfoundation) [![x logo]()](http://twitter.com/SkinCancerOrg) [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-skin-cancer-foundation/) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/skincancerorg/) [Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/skincancerorg/) [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/user/SkinCancerFoundation) ##### [Sign up for newsletter](https://www.skincancer.org/newsletter-sign-up/)   ##### Popular Posts - [Ask the Expert: Does a High SPF Protect My Skin Better?](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/ask-the-expert-does-a-high-spf-protect-my-skin-better/) - [Why Does My Skin Peel When I Get Sunburned, and What Should I Do About It?](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/why-does-my-skin-peel-when-i-get-sunburned/) - [DIY Don’ts: Why At-Home Mole Removal Is a Bad Idea](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/diy-donts-why-at-home-mole-removal-is-a-bad-idea/) - [Amelanotic Melanoma: It Doesn’t Look Like Other Melanomas](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/amelanotic-melanoma-it-doesnt-look-like-other-melanomas/) - [Ask the Expert: Painful Moles](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/ask-expert-painful-moles/) - [How Dangerous is Melanoma? It’s All a Matter of Timing](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/dangerous-melanoma-matter-timing/) - [Sun Protection and Vitamin D](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/sun-protection-and-vitamin-d/) ![]() [![candid logo]()](https://www.guidestar.org/profile/shared/248c6aa7-9ca9-4489-81b8-69bd7ed2f3d5) [Make a Donation](https://give.skincancer.org/SCFDonate) - [Prevention ▼](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/) - [Skin Cancer Prevention](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/) - [Recommended Products](https://www.skincancer.org/recommended-products/) - [Sun Protection ▼](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/) - [Sunscreen](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sunscreen/) - [Eye Protection](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/eye-protection/) - [Sun Protective Clothing](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sun-protective-clothing/) - [UV Window Film & Tint](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/uv-window-film/) - 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