Only a quarter of sunscreens meet safety standards, new report finds

DETROIT – Which sunscreen is best for you?

According to the Environmental Working Group’s 2025 Sunscreen Guide, the best sunscreen is the one you wear and apply often.

The consumer organization released its annual list, finding that nearly 500 products on the market meet its criteria for safe and effective options. The report highlights a rise in the use of mineral sunscreens, while the use of oxybenzone in chemical sunscreens is declining. Meanwhile, spray sunscreens remain a consumer favorite.

The report also found that high SPF sunscreens provide only slightly more protection than lower SPF products.

As you choose your sunscreen brands this summer, be cautious. A new report indicates that only a quarter of sunscreens on the market meet standards for sun protection. The Environmental Working Group analyzed more than 2,200 products and only recommended 500 of them. Many sunscreens were deemed ineffective due to a lack of sun protection and harmful chemical ingredients.

The Department of Health and Human Services has yet to comment on the report.

You can read the Environmental Working Group’s full 19th annual report on their website here.