More than a million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. every year. The incidence of malignant melanoma, the most dangerous form of the disease, is escalating. Effective sunscreens are crucial to public health. But EWG's investigation reveals that they may be hard to find. Many sunscreens claim SPFs from 55-100+ that might tempt you to stay out longer in the sun, but they block just 1 to 2% more sunburn rays than an SPF 30 sunscreen. These products violate FDA's sunscreen safety standards.

• Hundreds of all-day moisturizers advertise SPF protection, but 1 in 5 offers little protection from harmful UVA rays. Some break down well before the day's end. A surprising new government report attributes an increasing incidence of malignant melanoma among people who work indoors to UVA rays shining through windows onto unprotected skin.
• Lip cancer is most common on the bottom lip where sun exposure is most direct. Two of 5 lip balms offer poor UVA protection.
• Few sunscreens live up to their advertising claims, and the federal government is powerless to make them. The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been promising to regulate sunscreens since 1978, when gasoline was 63 cents a gallon and the BeeGees' "Saturday Night Fever" topped the charts.

Does your sunscreen work?EWG's investigation of 496 beach and sport sunscreens finds that 3 out of 5 contain chemicals that may pose health hazards or don't adequately protect skin from the sun's damaging rays. Some of the worst offenders are leading brands like Coppertone, Banana Boat, and Neutrogena.

More Americans than ever are using sunscreen to protect from sunburn and guard against skin cancer. Top choices include products with high SPF ratings, and that are waterproof or that advertise "broad spectrum" protection.

Most people trust that the claims on the bottle will ensure that the product truly protects their health and their families'. Nothing could be less certain. Until FDA strengthens and finalizes sunscreen safety standards first drafted 31 years ago, consumers can't be confident that products on store shelves are safe and effective.

• Five percent of high SPF sunscreens (SPF of at least 30) protect only from sunburn (UVB radiation), and provide poor protection from UVA, the sun rays linked to skin damage and aging, immune system problems, and potentially skin cancer. FDA does not require that sunscreens guard against UVA radiation.
• Do not waste your money by buying the most advertised sunscreens or lip balms. Read the labels instead!
• For best information about the safest and most effective sunscreens on the market check The Environmental Working Group's Web Site.You can find the list of top 10 sunscreens and lip balms along with useful tips for your skin protection. Share this information with family and friends!