Sunscreen Label Marketing Towards Pediatric Populations: Guidance for Navigating Sunscreen Choice.

INTRODUCTION:  Sunscreen marketing to specific demographics is largely unregulated. Marketing specifically targeting pediatric populations has the potential to drive consumer behavior. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) provide recommendations for sunscreen use in children over the age of six months. This study sought to determine if sunscreen products marketed toward pediatric populations align with healthcare guidelines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sunscreens available in major retail outlets in the Philadelphia area were cataloged and reviewed for marketing targeting specific demographics such as "baby", "babies", "children", "kids", "sports", and "active". The products were reviewed for sun protection factor (SPF), broad-spectrum ultraviolet (UV) protection, water resistance, active UV filters, and application method.  Results: Of 410 sunscreens cataloged, 27 were marketed towards "baby" or "babies", 44 towards "children" or "kids", and 71 towards "sports" or "active". All of the sunscreen products reviewed targeting the pediatric population offered water resistance for up to 80 minutes and broad-spectrum UV coverage. Sunscreens targeting "baby" or "babies" aligned most closely with AAP guidelines for sunscreen use in pediatric populations, with 92.6% offering an SPF between 15 to 50 and no products including oxybenzone as a UV filter. However, sunscreens targeting "children", "kids", "sports", and "active" bore a close resemblance to the overall sunscreen profile for all demographics but with a higher percentage of products containing oxybenzone. Oxybenzone was found in 11.4% of "children" and "kids" products and 16.9% of "sports" and "active" sunscreen products, compared to 7.6% of all sunscreen products available, and was also found in most sunscreen products with an SPF of 70 or higher. CONCLUSION:  Sunscreen products marketed towards "baby" and "babies" tend to align closely with guidelines for sunscreen use in the pediatric population for children over six months of age; however, those with brand marketing towards "children", "kids", "sports", and "active" do not. Limiting recommendations for a sunscreen product with an SPF of 30 to 50 targeting this demographic, however, sufficiently meets guidelines set forth by the AAP and AAD.

Availability of Adequate Photoprotection for Skin of Color.

INTRODUCTION: The impact of ultraviolet (UV) light on the skin is well-established to have both immediate and delayed effects with increasing awareness of the impact of visible light (VL) on the skin with regard to photoaging and dyspigmentation. The effects of VL disproportionately impact the skin of color with regard to discoloration of the skin leading to guidelines for photoprotection that include the use of iron oxides in sunscreen products that impart a tint. METHODS: Commercially available sunscreen products found in the suncare and sun protection displays at local stores, pharmacies, and grocery stores were cataloged, and ingredients were reviewed for the presence of iron oxides. RESULTS: Of the 410 commercially available sunscreen products cataloged, 1.7% of facial sunscreen products available offered iron oxides, and 0.5% of non-lip products offered shade matching. CONCLUSION: With only 1.7% of commercially available facial sunscreen products offering iron oxides in addition to traditional broad-spectrum UV protection, there is a clear gap in the market for iron oxide-containing sunscreen products to meet the photoprotection needs for the skin of color.

Assessment of UV Protection for Children's Summer Clothing.

INTRODUCTION:  Excess ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure during childhood poses a particular long-term risk of developing skin cancer later in life however recent studies have called attention to the absorption of chemical sunscreen ingredients into the bloodstream with unclear significance. This has led to recommendations to consider sun protection in the form of clothing to reduce the need for sunscreen products. METHODS:  Ten brands of routine summer clothing not labeled as sun protective from five distributors marketed for children were identified with varying price ranges. Summer clothing items consisting of T-shirts and tops were evaluated for fiber composition, cost, and UPF testing was performed to determine UVA and UVB transmittance.  Results: Around 88.2% of blended textile compositions compared to 60% of 100% cotton textiles offered adequate UV protection with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) greater than 15. 58% of blended fabrics compared to 50% of cotton textiles offered a UPF greater than 30. There was no correlation between brand and cost with UPF values.  Conclusions: In the absence of regulations for testing and labeling of all children's garments for UV protection, guidelines for the pediatric population for choosing clothing for the summer should reflect the information available to consumers that is easy to understand and more likely to result in higher UPF values. Based on fiber composition, blended textiles are more likely to have adequate UV protection compared to 100% cotton or 100% polyester.