A sunscreen that has only been available in Europe was deemed safe by the US Food and Drug Administration on Monday and should be available in Bermuda soon.

The sunscreen, Anthelios SX, block a certain type of ultraviolet radiation that has been linked to some cancers. It contains the ingredient ecamsulre, which is believed to better block UVA rays than sunscreens currently sold in the US. Currently most sunscreens in the US only block UVB rays.

While UVB is known to lead to sunburns studies have shown that UVA rays penetrate deeper and long-term exposure to the rays is believed to lead to melanoma, squamous cell cancers and wrinkles.

French cosmetics company L'Oreal SA makes the sunscreen. A Consumer Affairs representative said the majority of items given the green light by the US FDA are then allowed to be sold in Bermuda. She was not sure what company, if any, were planning to bring the sunscreen to Bermuda