Sunscreen shopping can be, in a word, overwhelming. The options are endless, the prices often vary wildly, and it can be tough to keep up with all of the various concerns about a product that is supposed to protect (as opposed to harm!) you. Thankfully, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) comes out with an annual guide to sunscreens, in which it breaks down the latest trends and red flags to hit shelves.
This year, researchers were struck by just how ineffective so many sun protection products actually are. "It is surprising that nearly three quarters of the products we evaluated did not make our grade for sun protection and the avoidance of worrisome ingredients," David Andrews, PhD, EWG senior scientist, tells CafeMom.
One the other hand, Andrews notes that there were two positive takeaways for summer 2017: There are more safe, mineral (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide vs. chemicals like oxybenzone) sunscreen products on the market, and the use of vitamin A or retinyl palmitate has been drastically reduced since 2010.
Here, 8 of the best picks and 8 of the worst, according to the EWG's deep dive.
Best: Loving Naturals Adorable Baby Sunscreen SPF 30+
This sunscreen stick from Loving Naturals may say it's for babies, but it's made the top of EWG's list for best beach and sport sunblocks, thanks to its excellent UVA protection and an excellent balance of UVA protection in relation to SPF.
Loving Naturals Adorable Baby Sunscreen SPF 30+, $19.75/4.3 oz; Amazon
Worst: Panama Jack Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 85
This super-high SPF of above 50 offers a false sense of security, EWG notes, and what's more, the actual SPF is estimated to be much less than 85. "We recommend looking for a lotion sunscreen with an SPF value of 50 or lower," Andrews says.
And as if that wasn't enough, the key chemical in the product is hormone disrupting chemical oxybenzone.
Panama Jack Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 85, $13.99/3 oz; Amazon
Best: Dr. Mercola Sunscreen, SPF 50
This highly rated, nanoparticle- and artificial fragrance–free sunscreen uses a mix of 22.5 percent zinc oxide and 6 percent titanium dioxide to guard against UV rays.
Dr. Mercola Sunscreen, SPF 50/5.4 oz, $19.97; Mercola.com
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Worst: Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunscreen, SPF 60+
Sounds innocent enough, but this is one of the lowest-rated products on EWG's list, due in part to its inflated SPF promise, inclusion of skin allergen methylisothiazolinone (which is not allowed in leave-on products in Europe), and retinyl palmitate which may damage sun-exposed skin.
Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunscreen, SPF 60+, $8.54/3 fl. oz; Amazon
Best: Jersey Shore Cosmetics Anti-Aging Mineral Sunscreen SPF 35
This mineral sunscreen is a winner, because it poses a low health concern, according to the EWG, plus it provides excellent UVA protection.
Jersey Shore Cosmetics Anti-aging Sunscreen SPF, 35 $40/2 oz; JerseyShoreSun
Worst: Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen, SPF 60+
Another one that sounds like it would be a perfect pick for you or your kiddos, but EWG estimates that the SPF claim is inflated, and it also contains retinyl palmitate.
Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen, SPF 60+, $12.99/3 oz; Amazon
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Best: Kabana Organic Skincare Green Screen D Sunscreen, SPF 35
The super-natural and non-toxic ingredient list of this highly rated product includes 25 percent zinc oxide, artesian spring water, certified organic extra virgin olive oil, beeswax, non-GMO, and vitamin D3.
Kabana Organic Skincare Green Screen D Sunscreen, SPF 35, $7.49/1 oz; KabanaSkincare
Worst: GM Collin Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 60
Despite moderate UVA protection, this pricey sunscreen is replete with ingredients that the EWG says pose a potential health risk.
GM Collin Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 60, $25/1.8 oz; Amazon
Best: Loving Naturals Sunscreen Clear Body, SPF 30+
This highly rated, non-nano zinc oxide-based product boasts a super-clean, natural ingredient list (including organic honey and sea salt).
Loving Naturals Sunscreen Clear Body, SPF 30+, $12.99/2.5 oz; Amazon
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Worst: Banana Boat Ultra Defense MAX Skin Protect Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 100
With claims of 100 SPF, it's no wonder this spray sunscreen got such a low rating from EWG. They also warn that its ingredients, like oxybenzone, pose a high health concern.
Banana Boat Ultra Defense MAX Skin Protect Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 100, $11.07/6 oz; Amazon
Best: Tropical Sands Sunscreen, SPF 50
With a high (but believable) SPF, sweet, protective combo of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide plus lots of natural moisturizers (shea butter, coconut oil, etc.), it's no wonder EWG considers this product a wise choice.
Tropical Sands Sunscreen, SPF 50, $19.95/5.4 oz; Amazon
Worst: Up & Up Sport Sunscreen Spray, SPF 50
Unfortunately, Target's in-house brand of sunscreen gets a pretty low rating from EWG, due to questionably safe ingredients and inhalation risk (since it's a spray).
Up & Up Sport Sunscreen Spray, SPF 50, $7.99/10 oz; Target
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Best: True Natural All Natural Sunscreen Neutral for Sensitive Skin, SPF 50
This zinc and titanium dioxide-based sunscreen is a safe and clean choice with excellent UVA protection.
True Natural All Natural Sunscreen Neutral for Sensitive Skin, SPF 50, $22.79/3.4 oz; VitaminShoppe
Worst: Ulta Beauty Sunscreen Mist, SPF 50
Despite a pretty short ingredient list, this spray sunscreen is packed with a chemical sunscreens that the EWG says a pose a high health concern.
Ulta Beauty Sunscreen Mist, SPF 50, $10.99/6 oz; Ulta
Best: Waxhead Sun Defense Zinc Oxide Vitamin D Enhanced Sunscreen, SPF 35
Excellent UVA protection combined with ingredients that pose low health concerns are two main pluses for this zinc oxide-based sunscreen.
Waxhead Sun Defense Zinc Oxide Vitamin D Enhanced Sunscreen, SPF 35, $21.99/4 oz; Amazon
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Worst: Sun Bum Sunscreen Spray, SPF 50
Sure, the packaging is cute, but that's about all there is to like about this low-rated sunscreen spray. Its active ingredient is chemical and hormone-disrupting sunscreen oxybenzone.
Sun Bum Sunscreen Spray, SPF 50, $15.99/6 oz; Sun Bum
