Sun Safety Awareness Takes Center Stage on National Don’t Fry Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS:     

Lisa Powers, powersl@personalcarecouncil.org, (202) 297-1232
Stefanie Harrington, harringtons@personalcarecouncil.org, (202) 615-6558

Sun Safety Awareness Takes Center Stage on National Don’t Fry Day
Sun Protection Particularly Critical in U.S. Cities with the Highest UV Index

WASHINGTON — A dozen U.S. cities are expected to have extreme ultraviolet (UV) index ratings (10+) this Memorial Day and throughout the summer, according to 2022 data from the National Weather Service, making sun protection especially important for all residents and visitors. National Don’t Fry Day, the Friday before Memorial Day weekend, encourages sun-safety awareness and serves as a reminder to protect skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays.

The UV index measures the amount of skin-damaging UV rays reaching the Earth’s surface when the sun is highest in the sky, serving as a helpful tool in preventing overexposure to the sun’s rays. The UV index changes seasonally and can range from 0 (nighttime) to 15-16. The higher the number, the greater the exposure to skin and eye-damaging UV radiation.

  • 0-2: No to minimal sun protection needed
  • 3-7: Moderate to high protection needed – seeking shade during late morning through mid-afternoon; generously applying broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen on exposed skin; wearing protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
  • 8+: Very high to extreme protection needed – seeking shade; generously applying broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen on exposed skin; wearing protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses

The dangers of UV rays, including premature skin aging and skin cancer, are clear and universally recognized. According to the American Cancer Society, more than five million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each year – more than all other types of cancer combined. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, and 20 Americans die from melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer – every day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

“Skin cancer is a significant and largely preventable public health concern,” said Patti Farris, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist with over 35 years of experience in research, aesthetics and clinical practice. “When going outdoors, especially when the UV index is high, individuals need sun protection to minimize their risk for skin cancer. That can be a hat and protective clothing, and broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 for skin exposed to the sun is a must.”

While skin cancer is one of the most common cancers, it is also preventable. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), four out of five cases can be prevented by following safe-sun practices, including limiting time in the sun, seeking shade, wearing protective clothing and using sunscreens regularly.

“Sunscreens are important tools for preventing and reducing the risk of skin cancer and UV-induced skin damage and should be part of your daily health and safety routine, just like brushing your teeth or using a seat belt,” said Alexandra Kowcz, chief scientist, Personal Care Products Council. “Our industry provides consumers with safe and innovative sunscreen products to help protect them and their families from the harmful effects of the sun.”

The U.S. cities with the highest average UV index in 2022 were:

  1. Honolulu, Hawaii (11.8)
  2. Miami, Fla. (11.5)
  3. San Juan, Puerto Rico (11.5)
  4. Albuquerque, N.M. (11)
  5. New Orleans, La. (10.8)
  6. Phoenix, Ariz. (10.7)
  7. Tampa, Fla. (10.5)
  8. Mobile, Ala. (10.3)
  9. Jackson, Miss. (10.2)
  10. Cheyenne, Wyo. (10)
  11. Denver, Colo. (10)
  12. Los Angeles, Calif. (10)

For more information about the UV index and the importance of practicing sun safety, including using broad-spectrum sunscreen, visit PCPC’s website.

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Founded in 1894, the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) is the voice and advocate for 600 member companies representing the $529.3 billion global cosmetics and personal care products industry. PCPC’s members represent approximately 90% of the U.S. beauty industry and are some of the most beloved and trusted brands in beauty and personal care today. As the manufacturers, distributors and suppliers of a diverse range of products millions of consumers rely on every day – from sunscreens, toothpaste and shampoo to moisturizer, makeup and fragrance – PCPC’s member companies are global leaders committed to product safety, quality and innovation.

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Statement by Alexandra Kowcz, Chief Scientist, Personal Care Products Council, in Response to the Environmental Working Group’s 2023 Sunscreen Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS:     

Lisa Powers, powersl@personalcarecouncil.org, (202) 297-1232
Stefanie Harrington, harringtons@personalcarecouncil.org, (202) 615-6558

Statement by Alexandra Kowcz, Chief Scientist
Personal Care Products Council
in Response to the Environmental Working Group’s 2023 Sunscreen Report

WASHINGTON – “The Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) and its member companies are aligned with health professionals and organizations worldwide – including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Surgeon General, American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), American Cancer Society and Skin Cancer Foundation – about the essential public health benefits of sunscreens. Sunscreens on the market today are backed by decades of scientific research and safe use to help adults and children guard against the dangers of excessive sun exposure. As part of a daily safe-sun regimen, sunscreen products help prevent sunburn and reduce the risk of skin cancer. It is unfortunate that as Americans spend more time outdoors, the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) 2023 sunscreens report resorts to fearmongering with misleading information that could keep consumers from using sunscreens altogether.

“The cosmetics and personal care products industry is proud of the innovative sunscreen products we provide to help protect consumers from the harmful effects of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. It is important to note that the FDA regulates all sunscreen products as over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.

“EWG’s 2023 shopping guide contains little new information compared to previous reports. For example, this report claims that sunscreens containing zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or both as active ingredients are better for consumers and implies a conclusion that the FDA did not reach. EWG suggests sunscreen products containing other active ingredients may be harmful. The FDA rejects this characterization and has publicly stated that Americans should continue to use sunscreens. Ensuring consumers have access to sunscreen products containing a wide variety of active ingredients is an important contribution to the FDA’s public health mission. 

“Working with our industry, the FDA requested additional data for certain sunscreen ingredients currently used in products worldwide to further evaluate their status as generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE). Importantly, sunscreens made with these ingredients are not considered unsafe by the FDA and will remain on the market to be used as part of consumers’ sun-safe practices while additional data are collected. The FDA specifically noted, ‘Sun safety is important for everyone, regardless of your skin tone. Americans can reduce risks from sun exposure with continued use of sun protection measures including broad spectrum sunscreen.’ Ultimately, having a range of safe and effective sunscreen active ingredients allows manufacturers to formulate safe and effective products that meet the differing needs and preferences of individuals and their families, while providing necessary protection. 

“EWG further claims that most sunscreen products on the market today offer inferior broad-spectrum protection from UV radiation. The FDA requires rigorous testing for sunscreen effectiveness (both sun protection factor [SPF] and broad spectrum). Broad-spectrum sunscreens must protect against both UVA and UVB radiation. Consumers can be confident that these reliable and credible testing methods, which are well recognized by scientific experts and regulatory authorities worldwide, result in sunscreens that are safe and effective. Neither EWG’s methods nor its newly introduced sunscreen verification program have been subject to scrutiny or approval by scientific or regulatory agencies. 

“Skin cancer is a significant and largely preventable public health concern. Our industry’s goal continues to be to help consumers make informed decisions and use sunscreen as an important part of an overall safe-sun program as recommended by numerous nonprofit and government organizations to prevent skin cancer. The CDC’s Sun Safety recommendations note the importance of daily sunscreen use, including on cloudy and overcast days, to help prevent most skin cancers. The National Toxicology Program identifies solar UV radiation as a ‘known human carcinogen.’ A single bad sunburn as a child increases the skin’s susceptibility to damage and skin cancer throughout life.

“Some simple tips for sun safety include:

  • Avoiding the sun during the peak hours of 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Wearing sun-protective clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV protective sunglasses
  • Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, even on cloudy days
  • Reapplying sunscreen every two hours, or immediately after swimming or sweating
  • Seeing your health care professional every year for a skin exam

“We hope that using sunscreen becomes as much of a habit as using your seat belt. For more information about cosmetics and personal care products companies, products and their ingredients, please visit www.cosmeticsinfo.org.”

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Founded in 1894, the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) is the voice and advocate for 600 member companies representing the $529.3 billion global cosmetics and personal care products industry. PCPC’s members represent approximately 90% of the U.S. beauty industry and are some of the most beloved and trusted brands in beauty and personal care today. As the manufacturers, distributors and suppliers of a diverse range of products millions of consumers rely on every day – from sunscreens, toothpaste and shampoo to moisturizer, makeup and fragrance – PCPC’s member companies are global leaders committed to product safety, quality and innovation. For more information on cosmetics and personal care products and their ingredients, please visit www.CosmeticsInfo.org.

More from PCPC