I had heard that anything higher than SPF 30 was a waste, but that was back when the highest "competitor" was SPF 50. Have you seen the stores now?! There is Coppertone SPF 70, Neutrogena SPF 85, and even Neutrogena 100+. Wow!
Is the "old school" SPF 30 still the best, or is there new evidence that suggests the higher you go, the more benefit there is?
I guess it's a good sign; back in my mom's generation, she would rub oil on herself and go sit in the sun to sunbathe with her girlfriends. I assume the recent influx of sunscreen products means that some education is getting into the mainstream that it is not OK to go in the sun without protection. And, the companies are capitalizing on this...but ironically, they also may be helping to educate the public as well.