Uva versus uvb

It’s vital to know that the SPF rating refers only to protection from UVB radiation. The European Union has adopted a UVA rating system, but it is controversial and has not yet been adopted in other parts of the globe. The FDA is working on one but there is no telling when that will be done, and England and Japan have a separate system all to themselves. What this adds up to is that no one quite agrees on how to measure UVA protection. As this book goes to press, there is no way to judge the UVA protection in a skin-care product with sunscreen unless you check the ingredient listing. However, only a handful of ingredients can protect skin from the UVA spectrum. So that SPF 15, SPF 30, or SPF 70 sunscreen must absolutely contain the UVA-protecting ingredients of either titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone (also called butyl methoxydibenzyl methane), Tinosorb, or ecamsule (Mexoryl), or you will not be getting the best protection. And your skin deserves the best!