Millions of Americans are heading to the beach this week, but experts are warning them to check their sunscreen before slathering it on.
A new report analyzed 2,784 SPF products, finding only 597, or 20 percent, are safe for human skin and effective against the sun’s harmful rays.
The team at Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit health and environmental advocacy organization, noted that the remaining 80 percent of products were not deemed inherently dangerous.
Instead, they failed to meet EWG’s standards because they contained ingredients of concern, offered insufficient UVA protection, used spray formulations or made protection claims the group believes are misleading.
The report raised concerns about three ingredients commonly found in sunscreens, particularly oxybenzone, octinoxate and homosalate, which studies have linked to hormone disruption and possible reproductive and developmental effects.
EWG also flagged undisclosed ‘fragrance’ mixtures because they can contain potential allergens, hormone-disrupting chemicals and even carcinogens.
Spray sunscreens may also be problematic because users can inhale aerosolized particles, the products may leave skin unevenly protected and some have been recalled over benzene contamination – a highly toxic, cancer-causing chemical.
The report, however, found that mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide were the safest bets, with brands such as Badger, Blue Lizard and Babo Botanicals among those receiving top marks.
A new report analyzed 2,784 SPF products, finding only 597, or 20 percent, are safe for human skin and effective against the sun’s harmful rays
Tanya Evans, a board-certified dermatologist who was not involved in the report, told Healthline: ‘The recent report from the Environmental Working Group raises some important points about sunscreen formulation, labeling, and regulation, but it is also important to interpret the findings based on what is available.
‘Sunscreen is still one of the most effective tools we have to reduce sunburn, photoaging, and skin cancer risk, including melanoma. The main message should not be to avoid sunscreen, but instead to choose and use sunscreen wisely.’
EWG used five criteria to analyze the SPF products: the potential health risks of ingredients, protection against UVB rays that cause sunburn, protection against UVA rays linked to skin aging and cancer, how well those two types of protection are balanced and how stable the sunscreen remains when exposed to sunlight.
Out of all the products analyzed, only 62 sunscreens were EWG Verified because they meet EWG’s strictest requirements for health and transparency.
The products that earned EWG Verified status were largely mineral-based sunscreens that provide strong, balanced protection against both UVA and UVB rays, avoid ingredients the group considers concerning and meet the organization’s strictest standards for ingredient transparency and performance.
The report describes oxybenzone as a well-studied hormone disruptor that has been linked to birth defects, reproductive and thyroid hormone changes and skin allergies.
Experts noted that the chemical has been found in human breast milk, blood and urine, and one study detected it in more than 97 percent of US urine samples.
The report also flagged octinoxate, saying studies have linked the ingredient to hormone disruption and recommending that consumers avoid sunscreens containing it.
The report, however, found that mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide were the safest bets, with brands such as Badger, Blue Lizard and Babo Botanicals among those receiving top marks
It also raised concerns about homosalate, which is regulated by the European Union as a potential endocrine disruptor that may interfere with hormones and could lead to developmental, reproductive, neurological or immune effects.
The report states that as of 2026, 36 percent of sunscreens contain an undisclosed ‘fragrance’ blend, a mix of scents added to hide the natural chemical smell of UV blocks. That is why many products have a beachy or tropical smell.
EWG cited a 2025 paper that determined that many synthetic chemicals in perfumes and cosmetics are associated with adverse health outcomes, including allergies, respiratory issues, hormonal disruption, reproductive problems and potentially cancer.
The study was conducted by reviewing research published between 2005 and 2025, examining work from a range of scientific fields on the potential health effects of cosmetic and fragrance products.
EWG raised concerns about the growing number of sunscreens touting SPF 70, 80 and even 100+, saying manufacturers often use ingredients that boost SPF numbers without improving protection against UVA rays, which are linked to skin aging and cancer.
The difference in protection is also surprisingly small: SPF 50 blocks about 98 percent of UVB rays that cause sunburn, while SPF 100 blocks 99 percent, according to the report.
Experts warned that ultra-high SPF labels can create a false sense of security, encouraging people to stay in the sun longer and skip reapplying sunscreen.
A peer-reviewed EWG study of 51 US sunscreens found that, on average, products delivered just 59 percent of their advertised UVB protection and only 24 percent of the UVA protection implied by their labels.
The group also criticized the way sunscreens are tested in the US, saying results can vary widely between laboratories. In some cases, the same formula has received an SPF rating of 51 at one lab and 28 at another.
EWG concluded that consumers should prioritize mineral protection, specifically use formulas with zinc oxide, calling it ‘the gold standard for safe, broad-spectrum defense.’
The group also suggested using lotions or sticks for reliable protection and to eliminate the risks of inhalation and uneven coverage.
