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EPISODE · Sep 6, 2026 · 29 MIN

From SPF to skin color, sunscreen’s effectiveness is complicated

from Up First from NPR · host Jodiveb

Sunscreen may seem simple: slather it on, stay protected. But the science is more complicated than the label suggests. Why is it so hard to stay safe in the sun? On The Sunday Story, we dig into the surprisingly high-tech world of sunscreen and the questions swirling around it. Justine Paradis of New Hampshire Public Radio breaks down the new ingredients, dispels SPF myths, and points to updated guidance around sunscreen use and how it relates to skin color. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy 🔗 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: 📩 Get the full transcript and daily news alerts: 👉 https://goo.su/rXoU5U8 👈 📌 Support the show by visiting our sponsors and partners. 🎧 New episodes every morning at 6 AM ET.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Sep 6, 2026

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From SPF to skin color, sunscreen’s effectiveness is complicated

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