Productopia | Sunscreen

A slew of scary headlines in the past few years have put sunscreens on trial to defend themselves against critics who say the majority of lotions currently on the market may cause serious health issues instead of preventing one. In defense of sunscreens, the American Academy of Dermatology recently issued a statement countering what it considers unsubstantiated claims, and stressing that sunscreens are still safe and effective when it comes to preventing skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, caused by the damaging effects of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Who? The Food and Drug Administration aka FDA

What? After 30 years, the FDA changed sunscreen regulations requiring companies to prove that they protect against both UVB and UVA rays and to adopt new labels designed to ease consumers' ability to choose a sunscreen.

It's too late for sunscreen once you've got the burn, so what do you do now? Aloe vera is acknowledged as the go-to treatment for a mild sunburn. If you've got an aloe plant, great; if not, you can buy prepared gels and lotions. But there are actually a number of more common kitchen cures that can also help ease pain. Here are some pantry painkillers to help you cope.