Only 20% of Sunscreens Meet Safety Standards, Report Shows

• Only about 20% of sunscreens meet leading safety and efficacy standards, according to a recent report from the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
• Mineral sunscreens are generally considered safer, but the best sunscreen is one you use consistently and reapply regularly.
• Broad-spectrum SPF 30 to 50, proper application, and regular reapplication are the keys to effective sun protection.

Sunscreen is a key aspect of sun protection, especially in the summertime. However, your sunscreen may not be protecting you as well as you think.

The EWG rates products based on five factors that relate to ingredient hazard and efficacy in providing sun protection:

• health hazards
• UVB (ultraviolet B) protection
• UVA (ultraviolet A) protection
• balance of UVA and UVB protection
• sunscreen stability, or how quickly ingredients break down in the sun

While sunscreen is important, it shouldn’t be the only thing you rely on to protect yourself from the sun.

“The recent report from the Environmental Working Group raises some important points about sunscreen formulation, labeling, and regulation, but it is also important to interpret the findings based on what is available,” said Tanya Evans, MD, board certified dermatologist and medical director of the Skin Cancer Program at the Melanoma Clinic at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA. Evans wasn’t involved in the report.

“Sunscreen is still one of the most effective tools we have to reduce sunburn, photoaging, and skin cancer risk, including melanoma. The main message should not be to avoid sunscreen, but instead to choose and use sunscreen wisely,” she told Healthline.

Paul Banwell, a cosmetic surgeon and skin cancer specialist, said that as awareness of sunscreen ingredients broadens, more people are asking about the differences between chemical and mineral sunscreens. Banwell wasn’t involved in the report.

“Mineral sunscreens usually contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and sit on the skin to physically reflect UV rays away, whereas chemical sunscreens absorb UV radiation and convert it into heat,” Banwell told Healthline.

“Neither is automatically ‘good’ or ‘bad’ and both can be effective, but certain skin types may tolerate one better than the other. In my clinic, particularly after procedures like laser resurfacing, peels, or surgery, I will often recommend mineral sunscreens because they tend to be gentler on healing or more reactive skin,” he said.

Evans agreed and noted that the “best” sunscreen is the one that’s used every day.

With so many options available, choosing the most effective sunscreen may seem daunting.

“When choosing a sunscreen, I always tell patients to keep it simple and focus on the basics,” Banwell said.

Evans offered the following tips when choosing sunscreen:

• Look for broad-spectrum protection (covers both UVA and UVB).
• SPF 30 to 50 is sufficient for most people, but most dermatologists recommend SPF 50 or higher.
• Use water resistance when swimming or sweating. Remember to reapply regularly.
• Opt for a texture or formulation you will use consistently.
• Sensitive skin or rosacea-prone people benefit from zinc oxide-based formulas.

“Using extremely high SPFs such as SPF 100+ can create a false sense of security and does not dramatically offer greater protection,” Evans said. “The most important thing is not to abandon sunscreen altogether.”

“The risks associated with chronic UV exposure are very real and very well documented,” said Banwell. “Sunscreen should still absolutely form part of a sensible long-term skin health routine alongside hats, sunglasses, shade, and avoiding excessive sun exposure where possible. If the skin is constantly being exposed to UV damage without protection, it becomes much harder to maintain healthy skin quality over time,” he said.