Six sunscreens are deemed insufficient
Direct sunlight and its essence are beneficial for humans and the environment. Conversely, a sunburn is completely unwanted and preventable. Unfortunately, only half of the sunscreen products tested by Stiftung Warentest were effective.
As summer approaches, many people look forward to their holidays, with sunny locations high on their list. However, it's crucial to safeguard your skin from the sun with sunscreen, even more so during vacations. This is crucial, but not in the form of a sunburn – instead, apply a generous amount of sunscreen. For efficient UVA and UVB protection, only reliable products can prevent sunburns or long-term damage such as skin cancer.
While one should expect quality from their chosen product, that's not always the case, as demonstrated by Stiftung Warentest. Twenty sunscreen products with high sun protection factors (SPF 30, 50, and 50+) were tested at prices ranging from 1.58 to 42 Euro per 100 milliliters. Regrettably, only half of these were effective. Four contained a dangerous softener, and six failed the UV protection test. The positive news is that dependable sunscreen doesn't have to be expensive. The top-performing sunscreens among the 20 tested are also among the least expensive.
Two worthwhile choices
Now, let's name the two standouts. These top performers are: The "Sun D'Or Sun Spray Transparent" from Edeka (costing 2.15 Euro and rated 1.4) and the "Sunozon Sun Spray" from Rossmann (priced at 1.95 Euro per 100 ml and rated 1.5) both received the "very good" rating and are available as pump sprays.
For the first time, research was conducted to see if sunscreen creams, lotions, and sprays contained health-threatening softeners. The motivation behind this was investigations by authorities that discovered an Abbauprodukt of softeners in urine samples potentially originating from sunscreens. The softener DnHexP (Di-n-hexylphthalate) was found in four products: Newkee, Ladival, Müller, and Kaufland.
The usage of this softener is prohibited according to the EU Cosmetics Regulation. There's a possibility that these products were contaminated with this softener. The determined concentrations pose no immediate health risk, as per the assessment by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. Stiftung Warentest rated the four products containing critical ingredients as "satisfactory" overall.
Two offer scant protection
However, there were products that failed in their primary function – sun protection. These were rated as "inadequate" for this reason: The Ambre Solaire Sunscreen Milk from Garnier does not provide sufficient protection from UVA rays.
And the sprays from "I+M Naturkosmetik Berlin" and the cream from Lush were inadequate in both UVA and UVB protection, to such an extent that they barely offer any protection. It's particularly disappointing that the Million Dollar Sun Cream from Lush is the most expensive product in the test at 42 Euro per 100 milliliters.
Read also:
- Consumers should consider seeking advice from an Advisor when choosing a sunscreen, as Stiftung Warentest's tests reveal that not all high-SPF products provide adequate protection against the sun.
- Despite the price differences, both the "Sun D'Or Sun Spray Transparent" from Edeka and the "Sunozon Sun Spray" from Rossmann, rated "very good" by Stiftung Warentest, offer reliable UV protection for consumers.
- Discounter Rossmann's "Sunozon Sun Spray" is a notable option for budget-conscious consumers looking for effective sunscreen, as it scored high in Stiftung Warentest's tests despite its low price.
- Even some high-end sunscreen brands like Lush failed Stiftung Warentest's tests, raising concerns about the effectiveness of certain products and the importance of consumers carefully researching their options before purchasing.
