Burn-Free, Bug-Free Fun in the Sun
Summer brings many of the things we enjoy most, like swimming and barbecues. Unfortunately, it also often brings sunburns and bug bites. Enjoy the outdoors this summer by using the right skin protection products. According to Consumer Reports, your sunscreen should be water resistant and have an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 30. Your insect repellent shouldn’t contain more than 30 percent DEET, which is short for diethyl-meta-toluamide, the active ingredient in most repellents.
A combination of sunscreen and insect repellent might sound like a good idea, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises against buying an all-in-one product. The need for liberal amounts of sunscreen during the day could expose users to more DEET than necessary. Conversely, there may be times—such as an evening barbecue—when a bug repellent is needed but not a sunscreen. Visit www.consumerreports.org to learn more.
Savvy Consumer Tips
Consumer Advocate
Known as The Savvy Consumer, Chris Bjorklund has been a Consumer Advocate for over 35 years. She has worked with KPIX-TV, KGO, The Better Business Bureau, Consumer Reports, and as an Investigator for the Consumer Fraud Unit of the San Francisco District Attorney's Office. Chris puts her incredible consumer experience to work for you!
