Sunscreens: Top 10 Healthiest

When you head to the beach this July 4th weekend, make sure you pack a sunscreen that does its job.

Four out of 5 sunscreens don’t give the protection you need, blocking too little of the sun’s harmful UV radiation, or containing ingredients with significant safety concerns. 

Does your sunscreen work? An investigation of nearly 1,000 brand-name sunscreen products finds that 4 out of 5 contain chemicals that may pose health hazards or don’t adequately protect skin from the sun’s damaging rays. Some of the worst offenders are leading brands like Coppertone, Banana Boat, and Neutrogena.

More than a million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. every year, but FDA still hasn’t finalized sunscreen standards first announced 30 years ago.  Meanwhile, companies are free to claim but not provide broad spectrum protection. Until FDA requires that all sunscreens be safe and effective, Environmental Working Group’s comprehensive sunscreen guide fills in the gaps.