Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
When It Comes To Sunscreen, Don't Just Buy Based On Other Shoppers' Reviews
Amazon.com reviews have become the indispensable buying guide for all sorts of products for busy Americans who either don鈥檛 have time to trek to a retail store or just can鈥檛 be bothered. We scrutinize them to figure out which movies to watch, which toaster does the bagel setting right and which toddler booties hold up best. Given that that the marketplace has led you in the right direction with so many other consumer products, you might be wondering whether it鈥檚 a good place to read up on the sunscreen you鈥檝e been meaning to buy as summer kicks into high gear. The answer, according to a study published Wednesday by Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine鈥檚 Shuai Xu, is yes and no. (Cha, 7/6)
When it comes to consumers choosing sunscreen, they are often drawn to a product鈥檚 scent, texture and, of course, performance, according to a study published Wednesday in JAMA Dermatology. It also found that, in many instances, these sunblocks don鈥檛 measure up to the standards recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology. The AAD recommends sun protection products contain broad spectrum coverage, an SPF of 30 or higher, and water or sweat resistance. But four out of every 10 products fell short of the recommendations." (Heredia Rodriguez, 7/6)