Only about one in five sunscreens on store shelves today deliver both safe and effective sun protection, according to the Environmental Working Group's 2026 Guide to Sunscreens. The nonprofit analyzed 2,784 products and found that just 550, or roughly 20 percent, met their rigorous safety and effectiveness criteria. The findings highlight a growing gap between what consumers think they're buying and what many products actually deliver.

Why Are So Many Sunscreens Falling Short?

The EWG's recommendations require sunscreens to protect against both UVA and UVB radiation, the two types of ultraviolet rays that damage skin DNA and accelerate aging. But the report uncovered a troubling pattern: many products make inflated claims about their protective power. A peer-reviewed study by EWG scientists found that, on average, sunscreens provided only about a quarter of the UVA protection and 59 percent of the UVB protection stated on their labels.

Beyond label accuracy, the EWG also flagged ingredients linked to health and environmental concerns. Products containing retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A, were excluded because dermatologists warn against sun exposure when using retinoid products. The good news: use of this ingredient has dropped dramatically, from 40 percent of products in 2010 to just 3 percent today.

What's the Difference Between Chemical and Mineral Sunscreens?

The sunscreen market essentially splits into two camps: mineral and chemical formulations, and they work in fundamentally different ways. Mineral sunscreens, made primarily from zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, sit on the skin's surface and physically block ultraviolet rays. Because they don't absorb into deeper skin layers, mineral sunscreens cause minimal irritation or systemic absorption. Of the 550 products EWG recommended, 497 were mineral-based.

Chemical sunscreens, by contrast, absorb into the skin and convert ultraviolet radiation into heat through a chemical reaction. For decades, manufacturers used a dozen different chemical filters without regulatory scrutiny. That changed in 2019 when FDA scientists discovered that six of the most commonly used chemical ingredients could enter the human bloodstream at unsafe levels after just one day of use. Two ingredients in particular, homosalate and oxybenzone, remained in the bloodstream above safety thresholds for more than two weeks after application stopped.

Oxybenzone has emerged as especially problematic. This well-studied endocrine disruptor, meaning it interferes with the body's hormone systems, has been linked to birth defects, reproductive and thyroid hormone changes, and skin allergies. Studies have found oxybenzone in over 97 percent of U.S. urine samples, and it's been detected in human breast milk and blood. The chemical's environmental impact is equally concerning: it's been banned in Hawaii, Key West, Florida, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Thailand, and other countries due to its role in coral bleaching and reef death, as well as genetic damage to marine life.

Despite these findings, oxybenzone remains in use. However, the trend is shifting: the ingredient appeared in 70 percent of sunscreen products 19 years ago but now shows up in only 5 percent. The European Union is also taking action, regulating homosalate as a potential endocrine disrupter.

How to Choose a Safer Sunscreen

• Look for broad-spectrum protection: Choose sunscreens labeled "broad-spectrum" to ensure protection against both UVA and UVB rays, not just one type of ultraviolet radiation.
• Prioritize mineral formulations: Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the only two mineral filters FDA-approved for sunscreen use, and they offer effective protection without systemic absorption concerns.
• Avoid high SPF marketing claims: SPF 50 blocks 98 percent of UVB rays, while SPF 100 blocks 99 percent; the difference is negligible, so don't pay extra for inflated numbers above 50.
• Check for problematic ingredients: Avoid products containing oxybenzone, homosalate, retinyl palmitate, and chemicals suspected of causing cancer, skin irritation, allergic reactions, or reproductive harm.
• Apply the correct amount: Most people underapply sunscreen, reducing its effectiveness. Use about one ounce, roughly the amount needed to fill a shot glass, to cover your entire body.

What's Holding Up FDA Regulation?

The FDA proposed updated sunscreen regulations in 2019 that would require manufacturers to submit safety data on 12 chemical filters currently used in U.S. sunscreens to determine whether they should be classified as "generally regarded as safe and effective," or GRASE. These chemicals had been used for decades without such scrutiny. To date, those studies have not been announced, and no updated regulations have been finalized, leaving consumers in a regulatory gray zone.

An FDA spokesperson told CNN that the agency is reviewing public comments received and that "these timelines can vary depending on the volume and substantiveness of the comments received". The agency declined to comment on the exact timing of a final order.

There is one bright spot on the horizon: the FDA announced in December that it may allow U.S. manufacturers to use bemotrizinol, a chemical filter used safely in Europe for decades. According to Alexa Friedman, a senior scientist at EWG, bemotrizinol "provides adequate UVA protection, is not easily absorbed into the skin, and has the most robust safety data on any UV filter to date," marking the first significant innovation in sunscreen ingredients in 20 years.

"BMT is a filter that provides adequate UVA protection, is not easily absorbed into the skin, and has the most robust safety data on any UV filter to date. This is the first innovation change we've seen in the last 20 years," explained Alexa Friedman, senior scientist at EWG.

Alexa Friedman, Senior Scientist at Environmental Working Group

Beyond Sunscreen: A Layered Approach to Sun Safety

Experts emphasize that sunscreen should be just one part of a comprehensive sun protection strategy. The FDA and dermatologists recommend a "layered approach" that includes wearing tightly woven clothing, sunglasses, and wide-brimmed hats, combined with seeking shade during peak sun hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when ultraviolet rays are strongest. Sunscreen is most effective when applied 15 minutes before sun exposure, allowing it time to set, and should be reapplied every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating.

The bottom line: with only 20 percent of sunscreens meeting rigorous safety and effectiveness standards, reading labels carefully and understanding the difference between mineral and chemical formulations has never been more important. Mineral sunscreens offer a safer alternative for those concerned about chemical absorption, while consumers using chemical sunscreens should prioritize products free of oxybenzone and homosalate and combine sun protection with other defensive measures like protective clothing and shade-seeking behavior.