/oss/taxonomy/term/1746/all en /oss/article/you-asked-general-science/what-does-spf-sunscreen-really-mean <p>With all the options out there, choosing the right product can be difficult. Stores are packed with many options, branded with anything from “Ultra-Sport” to “Hydrating”, but each and every label will report a <b>sun protection factor, or “SPF” value.</b></p> <p>In theory, that wearing a sunscreen with a SPF value of 30 allows you to stay in the sun for 30 times longer than if you skipped the sun protection. In practice, it is a bit more complicated.</p> Fri, 24 Jun 2022 00:02:20 +0000 Cat Wang 9146 at /oss /oss/article/environment-general-science/splendid-rays-and-skin-vancer <p>Helios, the sun god in Greek mythology, rode a chariot across the sky, east to west, sunrise to sundown, year round, as dusk bestows silvery moonlight accompanied by stars that extend to infinity followed by dawn that welcomes renewing sunlight.</p> <p>The sun is not always reflected as gentle and rosy. The sun can get stupendously stormy and frightfully tempestuous. The phenomenon, none less, is called “solar storm”.</p> Tue, 29 Mar 2022 18:47:23 +0000 Nancy Liu-Sullivan, PhD 9069 at /oss /oss/article/cancer-controversial-science-cosmetics-environment-health-news/safe-sunscreens-no-safe-tans <p>When it comes to health matters, scientists rarely make statements that do not begin with “may.”  But here is one.  Excessive exposure to sunlight causes skin cancer!  There’s no “may” about it.  And here is another one.  Chemical protection can effectively reduce exposure.  Uncertainties do, however, emerge when it comes to deciding on which specific chemicals to use.  Activists claim that some sunscreens are unsafe and blame regulatory agencies for not looking after the welfare of the public while manufacturers profess that their products have been thoroughly tested for safety and efficac</p> Sat, 12 Jul 2014 15:25:34 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2166 at /oss