What is the best sunscreen based on safety and efficacy?

This is such a helpful article! When you next update it, would you consider expanding the "Facial Moisturizers with Sunscreen" table with some additional "safe" products. There's got to be more than just two good moisturizer/sunscreen combos out there! Thanks.

Can you please review Cotz sunscreen? Specifically the flawless skin facial sunscreen for safety and effectiveness as this is a widely used sunscreen. Thank you.

Wow, this was super helpful! It seems that octocrylene & oxybenzone are the two most problematic chemicals. But while I see many sunscreens now claim that they're "oxybenzone-free," it seems like there's been no urgency for manufacturers to also remove octocrylene.

Great article but would love you to review Heliocare Capsules & other brands that claim capsules provide extra sun protection. My issue w/ physical sunscreens is the greasy residue that's left on my clothes & car seats. I would love a non greasy clothing friendly SPF

Is the ingredient octinoxate problematic or not? it's unclear from your research . .
thank you

do sunscreen with zinc and titanium offer any more protection than ones with zinc alone?

Does anyone know if a 100% mineral-based sunscreen that is expired but still looks, smells, and feels fine/normal is still effective? Just wondering, because the active ingredients (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide) don't degrade like those in chemical-based products.

So appreciative of all the information and research here...thanks CL.
My question is: When a sunscreen is stored for months (the ones we don't use in winter) is it ok to use it again months later or should I be buying a new container every sun season?

Environmental working group has a great list of safe sunscreens, which is where i discovered babo botanicals tinted mineral face sunscreen. Great stuff. Spf 50. Goes on smooth no white cast, fragrance free. Thanks for the great article

This is very helpful but your listing does not reflect the other harmful ingredients and environmental damage that choosing the wrong sunscreen can have. For instance your top choice, lowest cost sunscreen is Hello Bello lotion SPF 50 (tested in 2023). EWG doesn't show that exact product but the "kids" version (Hello Bello Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, Kids, SPF 50) is labeled a 7 , "highly hazardous" with 2 warnings! Since people are depending on you for their health, and most don't know about EWG, maybe you could add another column with EWG's rating # or put a "*" beside anything higher than say a 3-with a warning below. Or at least a disclaimer that just because it doesn't have benzenes doesn't make it "safe". Thanks!

From Science Daily on Jan. 23 2020 "The study, published online today in The FASEB Journal, reveals that the deeper dermal layer of the skin is damaged by UV, visible and infrared light and that it may be beneficial for anti-aging to protect our skin against all three." The cumulative, damaging effect of all types of radiation was found to be much greater than just that of UVA/B. Based on this, it seems protective clothing is the best. No more bikinis! Thank you for all the important information you provide. I find being a subscriber very worthwhile.

Is there any information about whether Cerave Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Face Lotion has any Benzophenone or benzene?

Thank you for this very thorough article!! For a deeper dive I’d like to know your thoughts on hidden chemical
SPF boosters in many mineral sunscreens - and many of them incredibly popular.
Being a paying subscriber to Consumerlab has paid off in so many ways. Thanks for all you do.

How about sodium benzoate? Is it something similar to benzene?

Why do we need sun-screen clothing? Do regular clothes already block the sun?

I'm very athletic and outdoorsy, but also vigilant re: managing my sun exposure, given family skin health issues and way too much sun in my first few decades. The solution: sun-protective clothing. I've built a sizable wardrobe of Solumbra items, from Sun Precautions: long pants and long-sleeved shirts (including half-zippered straight-bottomed super-ventilated shirts I wear [with shorts] for running, stair climbing, and other especially sweaty sports); a 4-way stretch aquatics suit (long pants + zippered long-sleeve jacket) for windsurfing and other water sports (which I bought after my husband and I capsized a small sailboat in the Caribbean and I was so slick from sunscreen that scrambling back onto the boat was tough -> I found this, a much better sun-protection solution); 4-way stretch yoga pants that I wear for roller-blading and over padded bike shorts for biking; gloves, hats, and face masks. The fabric is lightweight and (excluding the 4-way stretch items) ventilated, so it's cool despite the long sleeves and long pants. Everything is well-made and lasts through many years of washing and being scrunched into bags for overseas travel. I also keep an oversized shirt + gloves + face mask in the car for driving. (I have no financial interest in this company - just keen appreciation for its products.)

Doesn't clothing in and of itself offer some sun protection, particularly if it's a dark color and dense weave? Just curious.

The best way to minimize your exposure is to avoid peak sunlight intensity hours - especially late Spring into early Fall. My wife and I exercise outdoors frequently, but we always finish by 10 am. When we take bike trips to Europe, we go before mid-May or after mid-September. On those bike trips we are exposed to the sun 5-6 hours which (unfortunately) include peak sunlight intensity. We’ve used Anthelios and Ombrelle for 12+ years and have been very impressed with its performance. To get those products in the US, we have to order from a pharmacy in Canada. Applying any substance to the skin often involves certain trade-offs, whether it is the “whiting effect” of mineral barriers or the potential harm from chemicals that extend the UV protection period. Find an arrangement that works best for you.

Have you ever done any testing on Japanese sunscreens? I use Biore UV watery gel and have found it feels like I’m not wearing sunscreen and it protects my fair skin better than any product I’ve tried. But I am concerned about what it contains since the label is in Japanese and I don’t speak Japanese. I’ve found that every Japanese sunscreen I’ve tried feels and works better than the ones I buy locally.

Great review of sunscreens. Very helpful as the FDA (whether willingly or unwillingly) woefully late to call fouls so if you wait on them to call foul or safe you’ll probably be sorry.

Would love to know if new sunscreen formulas (not evaluated by the FDA, but available in more stringent countries like Australia) that don't have octocrylene or octobenzone contain benzophenone. Ultrasun uses many of these next gen. sunscreens like: Tinosorb and Uvinul variations. It would be good to know if these sunscreens are benzophenone free. It might encourage the FDA to start approving alternatives.

I would be interested in your opinion on TropicSport sunscreen. It is mineral based but I'm not sure if any of the other ingredients are problematic.

As someone who already had 2 melanomas removed back to back in 2017 and another pre-melanoma just recently, it is of the utmost importance to me what sunscreen to use. My derm doctor at MD Anderson at the melanoma clinic told me that she uses Elta MD, the non chemical one, and I have been using it for several years now and I like it because I have very sensitive skin and it doesn’t bother me. I also use Vanicream Lip Protection which will leave your lips white looking but I don’t care. I avoid the sun as much as possible and everything that is showing up on my skin now is from long ago when I was young and did all the damage, not knowing how bad unprotected sun exposure is. I now wear wide brimmed hats when going out, long sleeved sun protective shirts from Coolibar and long pants besides wearing sunscreen on my face, ears, lips and hands. Sunscreen needs to be re-applied every 2 hours because it stops working after that which is something most people do not know. I have been wearing sunglasses for years which block both UVA and UVB. I learned my lesson the hard way after many sunburns in my lifetime since I am fair skinned but loved the outdoors going swimming, riding and gardening. A suntan is anything but healthy, it is actually a sign of skin damage, a sign that your skin is trying to protect itself from the sun! Protect yourself from the sun when outdoors like doing yard work or just having fun. Melanoma is the deadliest skin cancer if not caught early and can take your life, you can get it on your skin, in your eyes, under your nails, lips and other places where you would least expect it. Melanoma surgery can be brutal because it can be very disfiguring, there is no MOHS surgery for it like for other skin cancers. I know that my message will most likely fall on deaf ears because everyone thinks that nothing like what I had will ever happen to them, but believe me when I say that the sun is NOT your friend!!!

The lot number for coppertone Pure and Simple —TN009GH— was that from 2021? The number is so close to one I just bought - TN00H9G— that I wonder if there is a typo and if this new can I bought is safe to use.

Last year Mineral Fusion Mineral Spf 40 Moisturizer was tested and was highly recommended. I do not see it in this years list. I really like this product. Can you please inform if it was tested and if it is still recommended as safe and a good choice. I have no financial interest in this product or company.Thank you

I recently bought Neutrogena Age Shield Face SPF 70. Consumer Lab has it as benzene ND. On the box it says Oxybenzone free. But on the back of the tube it says active ingredients AVOBENZONE 3%, OCTOCRYLENE 10%! I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY ADVERTISE IT AS BEING FREE OF ONE CARCINOGEN AND LIST THAT IT CONTAINS A WORSE ONE.

I appreciate the research update. However, in addition to this extensive list, it would be most helpful to be able to type in one's sunscreen and see its rating.

I get a lot of migraines which can be triggered by over-the-counter meds, sunscreens included. It seems that one that does not give me headaches is Aveeno Active Naturals Natural Protection ("100% naturally sourced sunscreen ingredients"). However Neutrogena Sensitive Skin has the same active ingredients (Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide) but different inactive ingredients, which gives me a headache (or perhaps the headaches are more due to getting dehydrated and exhausted from inspecting roofs with my new job). Anyway my main purpose in reading these reports is to find help with dealing with reducing my headaches. Such information is always most appreciated.

In my limited experience, mineral sunscreens don’t protect as well as chemical ones. That’s pretty important to us, given my burn-prone skin and my husband’s multiple skin cancers. Are there any studies out there that compare effectiveness in blocking both UVA and UVB rays?

Only certain lots of Neutrogena sunscreens have been recalled. Hopefully, lots produced subsequently are safe now that the benzene problem has come to light. List of recalled lots here: https://www.neutrogena.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-JNJSharedLibrary/default/dwea9de690/USAerosolSunscreenProductList.pdf

It would be so helpful if you alphabetized the results by manufacturer. Have you tested any Kiehls?

Thank you CL for the review. My question is about sunscreens that are from Europe, specifically the brand Isdin fotoprotector fusion water from Spain and also the French brand Avene. Do you have any information about their safety please? I would really appreciate your feedback.

I noticed the Badger Tangerine and Vanilla cream tested positive for benzene in 2023. How about the Badger Sport, Active or Baby versions (unscented)? Did they test ND? This is concerning as I use Badger sunscreen on my 4 year old daily.

So the Elta MD sunscreen the guy uses in the video contains Perfluorononyl Dimethicone, which is a PFAS that is being applied directly to your face. I wonder if he knows that? Or am I wrong about something?

As someone who has fair skin and is prone to skin cancer, I tend to wear shirts that are SPF rated. Any concerns about what those shirts are treated with?

A warning: My favorite SPF lip gloss recently removed its SPF ingredients in order to comply with some countries' regulations. The company changed the formulation (and removed the SPF mark on the tube) without fanfare, so that folks like me were walking around with unprotected lips. I presume other makeup manufacturers are making similar changes. Always check the label when you buy a new bottle or tube of a product to ensure the SPF has not changed -- or disappeared.

Dear CL staff. I was hoping to get some clarification surrounding the "non-nano" designation on the two mineral sunscreen ingredient options. It appears that the "non-nano" version of these minerals result in less absorption. Should I be concerned about this designation? My understanding was that these two minerals aren't absorbed much anyway, so should I care about whether it is "non-nano" or not? Thank you!

Love Consumer Labs !! Thank you for giving us the information so we know what products are safe

Wow! Great list! I am all ready for our beach excursion next month! This is another reason why I keep my membership! Thanks!

Thank you for your research and complete information that you supply. It’s a very good deed for your users.

So is the list of products tinted green in your report OK to use because no Benzene was dedected? Are the chemicals such Avobenzene, Homosalate, Octisalate, octocrylene, oxybenzone, avobenzone also not detected or included in these products? do you recommend thoese products?

included ingredients in these products? I tried a couple of mineral suncreens and they felt thick and they whiten the skin, not really a good solution!

This is a great service. Better to find out that you've been using potentially unsafe products now than never. It sounds like a huge number of people may have used potentially harmful chemicals through using sunscreen or deodorants for many years, maybe decades for some? Given that, is there anything people can do to try to prevent or mitigate the harmful effects of this possible long-term toxic exposure?

I really appreciate this service you provide. However I'm disheartened to learn that they keep expanding the number of brands that may not be safe, now including the Banana Boat brand I've been using. The safe brands appear to be significantly more expensive than the less safe ones (including Banana Boat).

Do sunscreens and deodorants have to be approved by the FDA or any other authority before going on the market? If so, why aren't they catching these problems earlier or before approval? I'm already dealing with using an unsafe Cpap device as part of the largest medical device recall in U.S. history. Millions of these devices which are used during sleep for sleep apnea and other breathing conditions have been in use. Somehow, the FDA approved the unsafe brand and now people are reporting being sick from the toxic exposure. Saying this to say that my faith in the ability of the FDA to actually regulate products, drugs, etc. is pretty low right now!

I like the Supergoop! tinted sunscreen. I use it like a foundation.

Thank GoodSense that my health care co gives me for sunscreen for years. 10%Octocrylene is one of the ingredients. I am surprised that a major health care company will offer these with good research and reports. But, I am thankful
for these reviews and followups so that I can be educated to choose a better product and pitch this one out. I'm at the age where things on and going into my body matter more than ever. I've been a longtime member here, and it always is my bible and go to before making a purchase. I'm glad your research is going beyond supplements. IT MEANS A LIFE SAVED!

is Benzene the same as Alkyl Benzoate? are they related?

This is getting so complicated! I have been using Ombrelle with Mexoril because it was recommended some years ago. Now chemical sunscreens are out and I tried Cetaphyl with zinc and titanium and it 's awful under foundation or plain. It's thick and white and leaves a white cast on your face. Any suggestions?

I have gotten rid of all my chemical sunscreens and have switched over to mineral. The best I have found which is cosmetically elegant and also has dna repair enzymes in it is Isdin Eryfotona Actinica. It wears beautifully under make up, spreads quickly and easily and doesn't leave a white cast on my light skin. I do think this would work on darker skin tones. It's fluid and I wear moisturizer underneath because mineral sunscreens are just drying in general. I wear this sunscreen on my body too, love it.

What are the benefits of beet root extract?

The Supergoop products are heavily advertised. They make a wide range of products including tinted CC cream. I have found them very effective. Might Consumer Lab test these products? (I have no financial interest in this company.)

The EltaMD has Octinoxate (Octyl methoxycinnamate)- see below from EWG-

Octinoxate is an organic UV filter. It is readily absorbed into the skin and continues to be absorbed after the sunscreen has been applied. It has been found in blood 16 times above the proposed FDA safety threshold (Matta 2019, 2020). Animal studies have shown the chemical has hormone effects on the metabolic system and affects thyroid hormone production (Seidlova-Wuttke 2006), with some evidence for other endocrine targets, including androgen and progesterone signaling (Krause 2012). Octinoxate can also cause allergic reactions after exposure to ultraviolet light (Rodriguez 2006).

Several countries ban the sale of sunscreens made with octinoxate, because they may be harmful to aquatic life.

Internal medicine MD here. Hx melanomas and SCCs w/ pale skin, red hair, blue eyes. I went on a mission last year to find a daily sunscreen for my face that only contained ZnOxide and/or titanium. I found the following, which are great: Whole Foods 360 mineral sunscreen, Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte SPF 30 ( a nice tinted moisturizer), Mad Hippie Hydrating Facial SPF. As a trail runner in the Rocky Mtns, I use the following sunscreens for running: Waxhead ( 25% Zn oxide, they have tinted and white), Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen 50+ ( 8% titanium, 10% ZnOxide), Babybum and Sunbum ( 20% Zn Oxide), Alba Botanical sensitive mineral sunscreen SPF 30 ( 2% titanium and 14.5% Zn oxide), Badger Clear Zinc sunscreen, SPF 40 ( 22.5% Zn Oxide). Hint: To wash them off after a run, I do the following: Wash w/ one of those body washes ( I use Dove nourishing body wash - I'm sure any of the brands is similar). Then wash all of that off w/ my regular plain soap ( I make my own as a hobby, w/ organic olive oil, my own lavender, etc. . Any store bought pure soap is fine, I'm sure).

Highly recommend the Pipette sunscreen. Looked at reviews and tested four different mineral based products - Pipette was the best in terms of flowing on easily and not leaving a chalky look on the skin. Likely due to squalane, one of its ingredients, which helps moisturize.

I am torn between wanting to avoid potentially harmful chemicals in sunscreens and moisturizers and Consumer Reports tests that show mineral sunscreens, zinc and titanium oxide as significantly less effective. Any advice on this contradictory issue?

How definitely do we know that zinc oxide and titanium dioxides themselves are not harmful in some way?

Black and brown people’s health considerations regarding satisfactory sunscreens are often left out of these discussions of because the safe sunscreens reviewed leave a white cast on our faces— which is not only ghostly to look at, but ghastly as well. I hope at some point that some company will be able to give us safe, affordable sunscreens that will not leave us looking like Casper. The search goes on. Thanks for the content that you provide.

Most facial moisturizers have sunscreen in them - usually between 15-30 spf. These weren't rated in your tests. Should we be concerned about benzene & benzophenone in these products as well? Or perhaps the lower amount of sunscreen in these products reduces the risk?

What about La Roche-Posay Anthelios sunscreen?

Sunscreen is just one tool in sun protection. You can save yourself time and even be more comfortable with long sleeves, sun gloves, and more. I like the products at https://www.coolibar.com/. You might not be able to get away with no sunscreen, but you can probably get away with much less.

Should I be concerned about reduced sunscreen effectiveness and increased toxicity in a formula where avobenzone, homosalate, octocrylene and oxybenzone are listed as the sunscreen agents, and titanium dioxide is included toward the end of the list of "other ingredients" (as a "texture-enhancing" ingredient)?

My whole family uses Cerave Facial Moisturizing Lotion (Broad Spectrum SPF 30) and it contains 6.3% zinc oxide and 25 octocrylene.

I often apply sunscreen then powder mineral makeup. My favorite sunscreen has some of the organic compounds you list here. Sounds like I should not be mixing them? Do you agree? Any opinions about powder mineral makeup. Safety and sun protection?

We must all advocate for ourselves. I am glad to keep up membership with consumers and thank you for this info on a regular basis.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 contains 7% Otocrylene. My dermatologist looks skeptical when I tell her it irritates my face. Thank-you for explaining why!