Watch out, sunscreen wearers! A new set of FDA-approved rules has just been announced, and your staple SPF item might not be up to snuff.

Yesterday, the FDA published new guidelines requiring all sunscreens with an SPF lower than 15 to carry a warning label stating, “This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging.” The new rules will also ban terminology that exaggerates claims about being “waterproof” or “sweat proof.” Lastly, the FDA is proposing to cap SPF’s at 50 unless companies can show enough evidence to prove their sky-high grades.

These steps were taken to eliminate some of the confusion consumers feel when they’re choosing a new block. And let’s be honest, who hasn’t walked into the sun care aisle only to be overwhelmed by the vast number of brands and products?

The new rules will go into effect for the summer of 2012 and will go a long way in eliminating bogus claims, while educating consumers about key sun facts, such as the difference between UVA and UVB rays (check out our Sun Dictionary for more info—link here).

And with the number of skin cancer cases on the rise, any efforts to beef up public knowledge about UV protection is welcome news, especially according to the medical community. Nashville-based derm Dr. Michael Gold tells us, “Today, I have melanoma patients in their young 20’s. When I first started my practice more than two decades ago, melanomas were a rarity, even in people over 60.”

Dr. Gold reminds us that the best defense for preventing skin cancer is to stay out of the sun as much as possible, avoid tanning beds at all cost, and use a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30+ every day. Check out these other sun stories to find out how you can protect your skin—and prevent wrinkles!—by being more sun smart.

See makeup products with SPF here.

For the latest beauty news, freebies, and more, become a fan of Real Beauty on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!