The Environmental Working Group released its newest Guide to Sunscreens. It this, its 16th guide, the group says 75% of more than 1,850 products evaluated rate poorly for skin protection from the sun, or contain ingredients that it contends could be harmful to health or heighten sensitivity to the sun’s harmful rays.
EWG says only one out of four products reviewed met its standards for adequate protection and did not contain worrisome ingredients like oxybenzone, a potential hormone-disrupting chemical.
Further, for the first time, EWG has included a section on the detection of benzene in spray sunscreens. Spray sunscreen products have been recalled because of contamination with benzene.
As previously reported by Happi.com, the trace benzene contamination was not specific to a particular brand or product, and benzene is not added to sunscreens.
EWG contends it guide rates the safety and efficacy of products advertising sun protection—such as recreational sunscreens, daily-use moisturizers with SPF and lip balms with SPF