05.23.23
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has released its 2023 Guide to Sunscreens. The group has been assessing sunscreens since 2006, and has been calling attention to certain ingredients, such as oxybenzone, for more than a decade.
According to EWG, oxybenzone is found in only six percent of SPF products it has reviewed, a significant drop in its use as an ingredient. EWG contends the ingredient is used in about 13% of percent of non-mineral recreational sunscreens.
According to Emily Spilman, a program manager on EWG’s Healthy Living Science team, 25% of sunscreens available on the market offer what EWG considers “good broad-spectrum protection without troubling ingredients, which underscores the importance of stricter standards.”
She added, “This highlights the need for greater regulation and transparency in the industry to ensure consumer safety.”
The top-rated recreational sunscreens in EWG’s guide mostly contain mineral-based active ingredients, such as zinc oxide or a combination of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. EWG contends these components have fewer health concerns and offer good sun protection.
According to EWG estimates, that half of all sunscreens on the US market would not pass European ingredient standards requiring stronger UVA protection.
“Informed consumers wanting safer and more effective products are driving market change in the absence of new sunscreens regulation by the FDA,” said David Andrews, Ph.D., a senior scientist at EWG. “The perennially delayed action to update sunscreen regulations and the discrepancies in UVA protection show the urgent need for stricter ingredient safety standards, improved labeling and enhanced UVA protection to ensure effective sunscreens.” he said.
“Sunscreens are still important tools in reducing UV exposure – it’s just that some products are better than others,” Andrews noted.
“EWG Verified is the leading standard for healthy ingredients in personal care and we are thrilled to bring it to the sunscreen market,” said EWG President Ken Cook. “Compared to other certifications, the criteria for our mark are demanding, as anyone familiar with our exacting standards can attest. By adding 12 healthy, broad spectrum SPF products to the expanding list of some 2260 EWG Verfiried products, we’re setting a new standard for the sunscreens industry.”
The dozen SPF products that are EWG Verified come from Attitude, Babo Botanicals and Beautycounter.
“This new category of EWG Verrified products represents a new era in sunscreen safety, giving consumers peace of mind and empowering individuals and families to make informed purchasing decisions,” Cook added.
Also this year, EWG’s 2023 guide provide information on “recreational sunscreens.” This category is a new name for what EWG had previously listed as beach sunscreens.
The full EWG guide can be accessed here.
According to EWG, oxybenzone is found in only six percent of SPF products it has reviewed, a significant drop in its use as an ingredient. EWG contends the ingredient is used in about 13% of percent of non-mineral recreational sunscreens.
According to Emily Spilman, a program manager on EWG’s Healthy Living Science team, 25% of sunscreens available on the market offer what EWG considers “good broad-spectrum protection without troubling ingredients, which underscores the importance of stricter standards.”
She added, “This highlights the need for greater regulation and transparency in the industry to ensure consumer safety.”
The top-rated recreational sunscreens in EWG’s guide mostly contain mineral-based active ingredients, such as zinc oxide or a combination of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. EWG contends these components have fewer health concerns and offer good sun protection.
According to EWG estimates, that half of all sunscreens on the US market would not pass European ingredient standards requiring stronger UVA protection.
“Informed consumers wanting safer and more effective products are driving market change in the absence of new sunscreens regulation by the FDA,” said David Andrews, Ph.D., a senior scientist at EWG. “The perennially delayed action to update sunscreen regulations and the discrepancies in UVA protection show the urgent need for stricter ingredient safety standards, improved labeling and enhanced UVA protection to ensure effective sunscreens.” he said.
“Sunscreens are still important tools in reducing UV exposure – it’s just that some products are better than others,” Andrews noted.
EWG Adds EWG Verified and "Recreational" Sunscreens
This year, EWG has added 12 SPF products to its expanding list “EWG Verified” products, its licensing program.“EWG Verified is the leading standard for healthy ingredients in personal care and we are thrilled to bring it to the sunscreen market,” said EWG President Ken Cook. “Compared to other certifications, the criteria for our mark are demanding, as anyone familiar with our exacting standards can attest. By adding 12 healthy, broad spectrum SPF products to the expanding list of some 2260 EWG Verfiried products, we’re setting a new standard for the sunscreens industry.”
The dozen SPF products that are EWG Verified come from Attitude, Babo Botanicals and Beautycounter.
“This new category of EWG Verrified products represents a new era in sunscreen safety, giving consumers peace of mind and empowering individuals and families to make informed purchasing decisions,” Cook added.
Also this year, EWG’s 2023 guide provide information on “recreational sunscreens.” This category is a new name for what EWG had previously listed as beach sunscreens.
The full EWG guide can be accessed here.
