Washington – The Food and Drug Administration has good news for sun worshipers: It approved a sunscreen Monday that protects against a type of ultraviolet radiation linked to skin cancer.
Anthelios SX, a daily moisturizing cream with sunscreen, contains ecamsule, which its makers say is particularly effective at blocking short ultraviolet A, or UVA, waves.
Previously, sunscreens available to American consumers contained only ingredients that protected against UVB rays and long UVA rays.
UVB rays are mainly responsible for causing sunburns, but UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin, according to the FDA.
Scientists suspect a link between UVA radiation and malignant melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer.
“We now have the tools to give U.S. consumers very high UVA protection as well as broad-spectrum sun protection,” said Alan Meyers, the senior vice president of research and development at L’Oreal USA, whose brand LaRoche-Posay will distribute Anthelios.
The Anthelios formula, which underwent 28 safety and effectiveness studies before being approved by the FDA, is also photo-stable, which means it does not degrade from long- term sun exposure.
Prior to FDA approval, L’Oreal used ecamsule only in products sold in Europe, Asia, Canada and Latin America.
Anthelios will be available without a prescription this fall at certain pharmacies and doctors’ offices.
