What is the best sunscreen based on safety and efficacy?

Learn the "dos and don'ts" of using insect repellent along with sunscreen for these to be safe and effective in our article about choosing insect repellents.

Also see our article about safe sunscreens.

Find out in which order you should apply sunscreen and insect repellent in our article about bug sprays for preventing tick and mosquito bites, which includes our Top Pick among repellents.

Also see our article: What is the best sunscreen based on safety and efficacy?

In 2022, we reported that benzene (a carcinogen) was found in many dry shampoos. A company that sells several of these products recently announced a cash settlement for consumers. Purchasers may be entitled to receive compensation. For details, see our article about benzene in dry shampoos.

Also read about benzene in spray deoderants and in sunscreens.

• What to consider when selecting a tinted sunscreen
• What EWG Verified means, and which of our recommended broad spectrum sunscreens are EWG Verified
• The pros and cons of Babo Botanicals Daily Sheer Tinted Mineral Sunscreen Fluid

Is it necessary to wear sunscreen in winter in northern climates? Find out what a recent analysis concluded in our updated article about sunscreens. Also see our list of safer sunscreens.

Do sunscreens with "DNA repair enzymes" really help reverse sun damage? Find out in our article about sunscreens.

Which brands of sun-protection clothing contain UV finishes that might wear off and which don’t? Find out in our article about sunscreens and other sun-protection products.

Also see our list of safer sunscreens.

A recent study showed a problem with some sun-protective clothing. Get the details in the “Is sun-protection clothing effective?" section of our article about sunscreens.

Also see our list of safer sunscreens.

Many sunscreen products in Europe contain sunscreen ingredients not found in U.S. products. Learn the pros and cons of these ingredients in our article about sunscreens.

Find out why none of Kiehl’s facial sunscreens or SPF moisturizers are included in our lists of potentially safer sunscreens in our article about safe and effective sunscreens.

Foundations and other cosmetics may be labeled with an SPF value, but they are generally not considered to be good alternatives to sunscreen. Find out why, and see product suggestions, in the updated article about safe and effective sunscreens.

ConsumerLab asked companies with recalled sunscreens if the products had been reformulated and re-tested. See the responses in our article about carcinogens in sunscreen.

A recent study identified benzene in 80% of tested sunscreen products, with three products containing benzene levels considered to be high. Get the details in our updated article about safe sunscreens.

Tests of water-resistant sunscreens by Consumer Reports found that, despite health concerns with chemical sunscreens, they performed better than mineral sunscreens. Find out why this might be in our article about sunscreens.

Find out how well clothing protects against UV rays and which fabrics and colors provide the most protection in our CL Answer about sunscreens.

Also see our list of safer sunscreens.

See which sunscreen products contain less problematic ingredients and how they compare on cost at today’s prices. See our lists of safer sunscreens and facial moisturizers, lip balms, and makeup foundations.

Some lip balms contain nanoparticles of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide – is this safe? Find out in our updated CL Answer about sunscreens.

Are sunscreens that are "non-nano," i.e., that don’t contain nanoparticles, safer? Find out in our updated CL Answer "What is the best sunscreen based on safety and efficacy?”

Also see our list of sunscreens that may be less problematic, including several "non-nano" sunscreens.

Although uncommon, sunscreens can cause allergic skin reactions upon exposure to sunlight. Get the details about a recently reported case, and find out who is most likely to be affected, in our article about the best sunscreen based on safety and efficacy.

Should people with celiac disease be concerned about gluten in sunscreen? Find out in our article Choosing the Best Sunscreen, which includes our list of sunscreens with safer ingredients (including those that do not contain gluten).

Also see our article on how to find supplements without gluten.

UV-A radiation from the sun causes wrinkles and age-spots. Many people don't realize that SPF values on sunscreens refer only to UV-B protection. Find out what to look for on labels to determine UV-A protection.

We've also updated our list of sunscreens made with safer ingredients.

Benzophenone is a carcinogen found in sunscreens made with oxybenzone or octocrylene. In addition to seeking sunscreens that don't contain these compounds, a recent study provided insights on how to further minimize benzophenone exposure, which we've added to our article about sunscreen safety. Also see our list of safer sunscreens.

How often do you really need to re-apply sunscreen and does this vary by type of sunscreen? Find out in our updated article about finding the best sunscreen.

Another popular brand of sunscreen has been recalled due to contamination with the toxic chemical benzene. Get the details and see the amounts of benzene found in more than 200 popular sun products in our updated article What is the best sunscreen based on safety and efficacy?

Also see our list of safer sunscreen products.

How can sunscreens that contain the same concentrations of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide have different SPFs? Find out and learn what to look for in sunscreens in our updated article about Finding the Best Sunscreens.

Also find out if any foods or supplements can help prevent sunburn and learn which foods might increase sun-related skin damage.