Since our ancestors first walked the earth millions of years ago, the sun has been revered and respected as a source of energy and life. However, there is no denying that this sphere of hot plasma is also one of the biggest causes of the most severe forms of skin cancer—malignant melanoma—and thus the reason why sunscreen was introduced.

If you create and manufacture a sunscreen within the United States, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) highly suggests that it be broad-spectrum (offer protection against both UVB and UVA rays) and, at least, have a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15. While we all know that these things are what helps a sunscreen protect us from the sun’s UV rays, there has been much debate over how well they work. Some experts have even suggested that having a higher SPF doesn’t matter.

Many years ago, sunscreen testing equipment (much like our SPF Testing 16S-150 watt solar simulator) was introduced to help give organizations the opportunity to manufacture products that would provide ample protection. Even though these devices are used to test for the SPF a sunscreen has currently, organizations can use them to help provide even better products to their customers. After all, with the ozone layer getting thinner each year, this means that more harmful UV rays will get through and that current sunscreens might no longer provide the protection we need.

It’s clear to see that many companies across the globe are manufacturing sunscreens that will provide the protection we need now. But, as the years go by, they will constantly have to revisit their formulas to make sure that they evolve to meet the needs of the human race. And, one way that organizations can do this is by consistently testing their sunscreens to help guarantee that they continue to be a force for UV rays to reckon with!