We all see and hear the commercials, as well as get reminded by those around us that we need to wear sunscreen. Sunscreen has always been a subject that just seems to have a personal connection as much as scientific for a lot of people. The facts are simple enough, too much time in the sun will burn your skin and may disrupt cells making an increased chance for skin cancer.

What we do not often get is a real breakdown of which sunscreen is really better. We generally think that a higher number, SPF is better protection. This is only partially true.

The EWG is an Environmental Working Group that acts as a watchdog organization. This group has performed a study on over 1500 sunscreens and found that about 60% of them provide inadequate protection from the sun and have significant safety concerns.

Ironically, EWG says 41 percent of the products it tested contain ingredients that break down in the sun within minutes or hours.

There isn't one Coppertone product on EWG's list of recommended sunscreens and only two of the 50 Banana Boat and Neutrogena products were acceptable.

Based on price per ounce, the following brands were the most affordable that meet the EWG's criteria: Badger Balm SPF 30, Caribbean Solutions Sol Kid Care 25 SPF, Mexitan Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 or 30, Tropical Sands SPF 50 or 30, Solbar Shield Sunscreen SPF 40, Vanicream Sunscreen Sensitive Skin SPF 60 or 35, Goddess Garden Kids Natural Sunscreen SPF 30, Solbar Zinc SPF 38 and Jason Natural Cosmetics Mineral Based Sunblock SPF 30.

The key here is that SPF is based only on UVB protection. UVB is the light that gives you a sunburn. You may want to think that the B in UVB may really stand for Burn, it doesn't but its easy to remember that way.

There is no label or easy way to identify UVA protection. UVA is the light that gives you skin cancer and accelerates the skins aging.

The only ingredients allowed in the US that filter UVA are: zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, avobenzone, and mexoryl. If you are a label reader, this may help.

For more sun safety tips follow the related link below.