Can sunscreens legally claim to be waterproof?

The FDA prevents sunscreen companies from labeling products as waterproof, since sunscreens are only water-resistant. Dermatologist Debra Wattenberg, MD, explains this mandate, and how to apply sunscreen properly for the best results.

Transcript

00:00

Basically, you should reapply every two hours regardless of whether or not you've been in the water because sunscreens lose their stability over time.

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The FDA has actually prevented the ability of the sunscreen companies to write that their sunscreens are waterproof.

00:25

Sunscreens can now only be called water resistant, and they're only water resistant for between 40 and 80 minutes.

00:32

After 80 minutes, there is no proof that the sunscreen is actually still on your body. So my take-home message for this is

00:40

you should reapply after going into the water. You should reapply after perspiring or sweating extensively or towel drying.

00:48

And basically, you should reapply every two hours regardless of whether or not you've been in the water because sunscreens lose their stability over time.

00:56

In addition to paying attention to how frequently you apply your sunscreen, the quantity is very important. The average person needs approximately one ounce

01:05

or, if you can imagine a visual, the size of a shot glass to cover your whole entire body. And if you don't apply that quantity,

01:13

you're not getting the SPF that's written on that bottle. When they do their testing, they use large quantities of sunscreen to create the protection that

01:20

is necessary. An SPF of 30, when applied properly, blocks out 97% of the rays.

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