Whether you're spending a day at the beach, or you're just outdoors, it's critically important to protect yourself with sunscreen.
Consumer Reports tested 18 from names like Banana Boat, Coppertone, Neutrogena, Aveeno and more.
They tested to see how well the protect from two types of radation: UVB which causes sunburn and UVA which penetrates deeper, resulting in tanning and skin aging. Both types contribute to skin cancer.
The performed a new critical wavelength test mandated by the FDA that determines if the sunscreen offers a sufficient level of UVA protection. Two products failed that test despite their claims: Banana Boat Kids and Alba Bontanica.
For fun in the sun, Consumer Reports did recommend two very good, inexpensive sunscreens: No-Ad SPF 45 and Walgreen's Continuous Spray Sunscreen Sport SPF 50.
As for spray-ons, the FDA is investigating whether inhaling the spray is dangerous. Until more is known, Consumer Reports advises not using sprays on children and never spraying sunscreen on your face.