On Monday, a sunscreen that blocks the type of ultraviolet radiation linked to some cancers and which has been available only outside the United States, received federal approval.

Anthelios SX, the sunscreen contains ecamsule, an ingredient better at blocking ultraviolet A, or UVA, radiation than other sunscreen ingredients currently sold in the United States.

The other sunscreen ingredients mainly screen out UVB rays.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, UVB rays have been associated with sunburn while UVA rays is recognized as a deeper penetrating radiation.

Doctors suspect there is a link between UVA exposure and longer-term effects, including wrinkles, basal and squamous cell cancers and melanoma.

Anthelios is made by the French cosmetics company L'Oreal SA and has a sun protection factor of 15.

The sunscreen contains three active ingredients, including ecamsule or Mexoryl SX.

Since 1993, Mexoryl has been included in the company's sunscreens sold in Canada and Europe.