Sunscreen Safety- What Works and What’s Safe

In a new investigation of 1,072 name-brand sunscreens, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found widespread evidence that many products on the market are not safe and effective, including one of every eight high-SPF sunscreens that does not protect from UVA radiation. They have also identified 156 products that offer very good sun protection with ingredients that present minimal health risks to users. 

 -       Our comprehensive scientific review indicates that 85% of 1,072 sunscreen products offer inadequate protection from the sun, or contain ingredients with significant safety concerns. Only 15% of the products on the market are both safe and effective, blocking both UVA and UVB radiation, remaining stable in sunlight, and containing few if any ingredients with significant known or suspected health hazards.

 -       Many products lack UVA protection. Fully 13% of high SPF sunscreens (SPF of at least 30) protect only from sunburn (UVB radiation), and do not contain ingredients known to protect from UVA radiation, the sun rays linked to skin damage and aging, immune system problems, and potentially skin cancer.

  -       Sunscreens break down in the sun. Paradoxically, many sunscreen ingredients break down in the sun, in a matter of minutes or hours, and then let UV radiation through to the skin. Our analyses show that 54% of products on the market contain ingredients that may be unstable alone or in combination, raising questions about whether these products last as long as the label says.

 -       Many sunscreens contain nano-scale ingredients that raise potential concerns. Micronized and nano-scale zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in sunscreen provide strong UVA protection, and are contained in many of our top-rated products. Most people trust that the claims on the bottle will ensure that the product truly protects their health and their families’. Nothing could be less certain.

   View EWG’s list of 156 most recommended products  

 View EWG’s list of 439 products to caution 

View EWG’s list of 477 products to avoid 

View EWG’s Top 30 most effective products with the lowest hazard ratings

 Article extracted from Environmental Working Group, www.ewg.org. Read the full article.