Three-Quarters of Sunscreen Products Are Ineffective, EWG Study Finds

Most popular sunscreen brands failed to provide adequate UV protection, despite having high SPF ratings.

As Memorial Day approaches this weekend, a new report on sunscreen effectiveness warns that only about 22% of the more than 2,200 products on the market effectively help block UV rays from the sun.

According to findings published in the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) 2025 Guide to Sunscreens, more than three-quarters of sunscreens sold in the U.S. make misleading protection claims, and may actually contain ingredients that pose potential health risks, despite differences in formulation and advertised effectiveness.

Sunscreens are cream, stick and spray products that are applied to the body to protect the skin from damage from ultraviolet rays from the sun. Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet A and B rays can cause skin damage and can lead to skin cancer, including melanoma, which can be fatal.

The products are formulated with different ingredients for different sun protection factor (SPF) levels. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not updated sunscreen rules since 1999, a move critics say falls short of protecting consumers.

The new EWG study evaluated more than 2,200 samples of sunscreen, with varying formulas and application methods. Among the 2,200 samples tested only 498 met the EWG’s criteria for protection from the sun.

The EWG, an environmental protection organization, has conducted the sunscreen report since 2007. Since then, products on the market have shifted, with fewer sunscreens now using oxybenzone, a chemical known to disrupt hormones in the body. In 2016, more than 70% of non-mineral sunscreens contained oxybenzone, but by 2025 that total has declined to just 9%.

Only 10% of sunscreens reviewed in 2025 have an SPF higher than 50, but that is twice as many as in 2007, when the total was just 5%. However, researchers said a high SPF only provides slightly more UVB protection than lower SPF products. For example, SPF 50 blocks about 98% of UVB rays while SPF 100 blocks 99%.

Despite changes, EWG researchers concluded that most sunscreens are not effective and do not protect consumers from the sun. More so, many have outdated formulas and contain harmful ingredients, they warned.

Popular Sunscreens Often Scored Poorly

Many of the most popular brands marketed in the United States scored poorly on the EWG report, with brands like Banana Boat, Equate, Hawaiian Tropic, Neutrogena and others scoring very low. These products contain harmful chemicals that are known to cause irritation or have undisclosed “fragrance” in the ingredients, which could include allergens, hormone disruptors and carcinogens.

Some products also had misleading SPF ratings. SPF primarily measures UVB protection, but not UVA which is responsible for deep skin damage and aging. Many sunscreens use SPF boosters, not active UV filters. Boosters often work by reducing inflammation instead of preventing skin damage, which doesn’t protect the user’s skin.

Some of the top-rated sunscreens that received the “EWG verified” label, the highest rating given by the group, included Attitude, Babo Botanicals, 4Ocean, BeautyCounter and Love Sun Body.

These products did not contain cancer-causing ingredients, mystery fragrances or other questionable ingredients, according to investigators.

The EWG urged the FDA to investigate boosters in 2016 and later to finalize rules on fragrance use. The researchers also said there is a need for updated, stronger regulations surrounding sunscreens. The group emphasized the need for the FDA to demand product safety data from manufacturers to better protect the American public.