Professional Products

The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation is a coveted award that is not so easily attained. PCA SKIN’s suite of sunscreens proudly dons the Seal of Recommendation. So what does it mean to have this recommendation on product packaging?

According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, the Seal of Recommendation is only given to “sun protection products that have been reviewed by and meet the specific criteria of an independent Photobiology Committee. The Seal is a symbol of safe and effective sun protection that is recognized by consumers worldwide.”

A product manufacturer must provide the proper scientific data showing the sun protection products “aid in the prevention of sun-induced damage to the skin.” Then, the following tests are performed:

Critical Wavelength tests the absorption spectrum of the sunscreen against wavelength. The more potent the UVA protection, the longer the critical wavelength.
Photostability is the ability of the sun protection product to retain the indicated level of potency and effectiveness for some hours after exposure to UV rays, whether from the sun or tanning machines.
The Contact Irritancy test indicates if the product would cause irritation or an allergic reaction once applied to the skin.
Phototoxicity is a skin reaction that can occur when using a photosensitizing product followed by exposure to UV rays. If a reaction were to occur, it would typically appear within minutes or hours after the initial UV exposure. The reaction may resemble a severe sunburn and can be accompanied by blistering or itching.

If the product passes the above-mentioned tests, then the Seal of Recommendation is awarded to the manufacturer. If for some reason the product fails, the manufacturer must revisit the formulation and make the appropriate changes for resubmission.