Christine Esposito, Managing Editor05.26.23
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has released its first "EWG Verified" sunscreens. Beautycounter, Babo Botanicals and Attitude are the first brands to receive the designation from EWG.
“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 Verified products, we’re setting a new standard for the sunscreens industry.”
• Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Stick, SPF 30
• Babo Botanicals Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
• Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
• Attitude Mineral Sunscreen Stick, Kids, Face, Unscented, SPF 30
• Attitude Mineral Sunscreen Stick, Kids, Tropical, SPF 30
• Attitude Mineral Sunscreen Stick, Orange Blossom, SPF 30
• Attitude Mineral Sunscreen Stick, Tropical, SPF 30
• Attitude Mineral Sunscreen Stick, Unscented, SPF 30
• Attitude Mineral Sunscreen Stick, Kids, Unscented, SPF 30
“The launch of EWG Verfied sunscreens reflects our commitment to empowering consumers and providing them with trusted, healthier options,” said Homer Swei, Ph.D., EWG senior vice president of Healthy Living Science. “The mark on sunscreen packaging offers consumers a reliable and convenient way to identify best-performing products that meet EWG’s highest safety and efficacy standards.”
Sunscreens have been rated by EWG since 2007. This is the first time that sunscreens have earned this new mark from the group.
According to EWG, revenue generated by the program helps EWG assess whether products qualify for the program and ensures that EWG can continue its research and distribute it to consumers and beyond.
More than 2200 products have been approved for the EWG Verified mark to date.
Following submission—with uploaded documents, PDFs of all product labels and application payment—companies typically receive an update on the progress and next steps within two to four weeks, according to EWG. If the product is eligible to move forward in the process, companies will be required to submit documents to prove that product complies with any applicable restrictions (details will be provided), according to EWG. Once these documents have been submitted, brands will be notified within four to six weeks whether the product has been approved, is ineligible or requires further documentation.
If the product is approved, brands will receive the licensing contract, according to EWG. After the contract is finalized, companies will receive access to and training on how to use the mark.
More information on the process can be found here.
“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 Verified products, we’re setting a new standard for the sunscreens industry.”
EWG Verified Sunscreens
Here are the 12 EWG Verified sunscreens (as of May 25, 2023):Beautycounter
• Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30• Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Stick, SPF 30
Babo Botanicals
• Babo Botanicals Baby Skin Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50• Babo Botanicals Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
• Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
Attitude
• Attitude Mineral Sunscreen Stick, Face, Unscented, SPF 30• Attitude Mineral Sunscreen Stick, Kids, Face, Unscented, SPF 30
• Attitude Mineral Sunscreen Stick, Kids, Tropical, SPF 30
• Attitude Mineral Sunscreen Stick, Orange Blossom, SPF 30
• Attitude Mineral Sunscreen Stick, Tropical, SPF 30
• Attitude Mineral Sunscreen Stick, Unscented, SPF 30
• Attitude Mineral Sunscreen Stick, Kids, Unscented, SPF 30
“The launch of EWG Verfied sunscreens reflects our commitment to empowering consumers and providing them with trusted, healthier options,” said Homer Swei, Ph.D., EWG senior vice president of Healthy Living Science. “The mark on sunscreen packaging offers consumers a reliable and convenient way to identify best-performing products that meet EWG’s highest safety and efficacy standards.”
What is EWG Verified?
EWG Verified is a trademark licensing program that EWG contends “follows a published set of health standards independently developed by EWG's research team.” EWG says the program is “grounded in science and backed by EWG’s decades of expertise assessing consumer products for health and safety.”Sunscreens have been rated by EWG since 2007. This is the first time that sunscreens have earned this new mark from the group.
According to EWG, revenue generated by the program helps EWG assess whether products qualify for the program and ensures that EWG can continue its research and distribute it to consumers and beyond.
More than 2200 products have been approved for the EWG Verified mark to date.
How To Get Your Products in the EWG Verified Program
Those interested in the EWG Verified program, should review the full criteria and EWG’s "unacceptaable" and "restricted lists" for personal care products. Then, they should create an account in the EWG Verified portal.Following submission—with uploaded documents, PDFs of all product labels and application payment—companies typically receive an update on the progress and next steps within two to four weeks, according to EWG. If the product is eligible to move forward in the process, companies will be required to submit documents to prove that product complies with any applicable restrictions (details will be provided), according to EWG. Once these documents have been submitted, brands will be notified within four to six weeks whether the product has been approved, is ineligible or requires further documentation.
If the product is approved, brands will receive the licensing contract, according to EWG. After the contract is finalized, companies will receive access to and training on how to use the mark.
More information on the process can be found here.