The shocking truth: 80% of sunscreens don't work and could harm your skin!
A recent study highlights a significant gap in sun protection practices among Americans, with many sunscreens offering inadequate protection or containing potentially harmful ingredients. Men are particularly lax in sunscreen application, while even women fall short of ideal usage.
Fresh findings published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology reveal a worrying gap between what Americans know they ought to do and what they actually do to protect their skin.
80% of sunscreens don't really work or have 'worrisome' ingredients, as per researchers working in the domain of skin. When scientists at the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) asked how often people applied sunscreen before spending more than an hour in the sun, barely 14 percent of men said they reached for the SPF regularly. Women performed better, though still far from ideal, at 30 percent, leaving men more likely to admit they never bother with sun cream at all.
Yet lax application is only part of the story. In its sunscreen guide (2015 edition), the Environmental Working Group (EWG) had evaluated more than 1,700 sun‑care products - including creams, lip balms and daily moisturisers and concluded that four out of five deliver sub‑par protection or contain ingredients of concern. Chief among those red flags is oxybenzone, a potential hormone disruptor, and the addition of vitamin A (retinyl palmitate), which some, though not all, studies suggest may increase photosensitivity.
Neutrogena came under particular scrutiny. Despite marketing certain baby formulas as 'special protection from the sun and irritating chemicals' and proudly labelling them 'hypoallergenic', the products still include methylisothiazolinone, a preservative the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has deemed unsuitable for leave‑on cosmetics. The brand also touts headline SPFs of 70 and even 100+, although the US Food and Drug Administration maintains that meaningful benefits plateau around SPF 50.
(Neutrogena did not comment before publication.)
EWG's report features a 'Hall of Shame' catalogue for the least reliable products, alongside a searchable database that lets consumers check their current sunscreen or hunt for a safer, more effective alternative.
Dermatologists' summer survival checklist remains straightforward: choose a broad‑spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, minimise direct sun exposure, especially at midday, cover up with clothing, and reapply your chosen sun cream every couple of hours (or immediately after swimming or heavy perspiration).
Consistency, rather than an eye‑watering SPF number, is still the surest route to healthy, youthful skin.
How to know which sunscreen to buy
Choosing the right sunscreen goes beyond picking the highest SPF on the shelf. Dermatologists recommend looking for a broad-spectrum formula, which protects against both UVA rays (ageing) and UVB rays (burning). An SPF of 30 to 50 is ideal for most people, anything higher offers only marginally better protection.
Check the ingredient list: physical (or mineral) sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are often better for sensitive skin and provide immediate protection. Avoid chemical ingredients like oxybenzone, which has been linked to hormone disruption, and retinyl palmitate (vitamin A), which may increase sun sensitivity.
Water resistance is also key, especially if you'll be swimming or sweating. Look for labels that state 'water-resistant (40 or 80 minutes)'.
For daily use, especially under makeup, consider lightweight formulations like gel-based sunscreens or tinted moisturisers with SPF. If you're shopping for children or those with allergies, choose fragrance-free and hypoallergenic products but still double-check the ingredient list, as some brands misuse these terms.
Finally, consult tools like the EWG's sunscreen database to review safety ratings and effectiveness. The best sunscreen is the one you will wear consistently, so find a formula that suits your skin type, lifestyle, and preferences.
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