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What is the best sunscreen based on safety and efficacy?

We’ve boiled down the latest research about mineral and chemical sunscreens, including product tests, to help you choose the best sunscreen (which will depend on whether you expect to be in or out of the water). We also list popular sunscreens that have, or have not, been found to contain cancer-causing compounds (benzene and benzophenone).

Carcinogens in Sunscreens - Bottle of sunscreen with a question mark

CL Answer

Does Alpha Brain really improve memory, focus and cognition?

Find out if Alpha Brain really improves memory, focus and cognition. See the clinical evidence and get details about Alpha Brain ingredients, as well as potential side effects and drug interactions. ConsumerLab.com's answer explains.

Bottle of Alpha Brain capsules

Clinical Update

4/07/2013

Omega-3s Linked to Less Heart Disease and Longer Life

A study among older individuals who did not use fish oil supplements showed that those with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood were far less likely to have a heart attack or arrhythmia and were 27% less likely to die during the 14-year study. The reserchers calculated how much EPA and DHA a person should consume to reach this higher blood level and noted that further increases yeild little additional benefit. Get the details, as well as how to get omega-3s from foods, in the updated Fish Oil Supplements Review »

Clinical Update

3/08/2019

CBD & Cancer

Preliminary evidence suggests that CBD (cannabidiol) may have anti-cancer properties, and a dramatic reduction in tumor size was recently reported in a person taking low-dose CBD. For details, see the What It Does section of the CBD Oils and Hemp Extracts Review.

Clinical Update

11/04/2020

Muscle Cramps from Lack of Vitamin

Painful muscle cramps in an older person resolved after correcting a deficiency in one of the B vitamins, according to a new report. Get the details, and learn which conditions and medications increase the risk of this deficiency, in the B Vitamin Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for B vitamin supplements.

Clinical Update

2/01/2022

Accuracy of Pulse Oximeters

Find out how pulse oximeter readings may differ if a person is white, Black, or of Asian descent. Also see our Top Pick among home pulse oximeters.

Clinical Update

6/28/2022

B-12 Deficiency & Stomach Surgery

Many people who have had bariatric (stomach-reducing) surgery need to supplement with B-12 and other B vitamins. Find out what happened to such a person who discontinued supplementation in the Vitamin B-12 section of our B Vitamin Supplements Review.

Clinical Update

9/09/2022

Who Benefits Most from Paxlovid?

The efficacy of Paxlovid against severe COVID-19 infection may largely depend on the person's age, according to a recent study.

Clinical Update

1/05/2024

Getting C15:0 Fatty Acid from Food?

Can a person get a clinically relevant dose of C15:0 fatty acid (in the supplement fatty15 promoted for hair, nails, sleep and aging) from food? Find out in the Getting C15:0 fatty acid from food section of our article about C15:0 fatty acid.

Clinical Update

10/10/2024

Caution: Vitamin Patches

Vitamin patches applied to the skin are not as effective as supplements taken orally. One person who relied on a transdermal multivitamin patch developed a life-threatening vitamin deficiency, according to a recent report. Get the details in our article: Do vitamin patches really work?

Clinical Update

10/21/2024

Magnesium to Reduce Urinary Frequency?

Does taking magnesium reduce the number of times a person with urinary frequency needs to urinate? Find out in the What It Does section of our Magnesium Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks among magnesium supplements.

Also see: 10 Supplements That May Help Reduce Nighttime Urination (And 5 That May Not)

Clinical Update

3/31/2025

Calcium and Heart Disease

Can a person with coronary artery disease take a calcium supplement without increasing cardiovascular risk and, if so, what dose might be safe? Find out in the Heart attack and stroke risk section of our Calcium Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among calcium supplements.

News Release

March 13, 2006

ConsumerLab.com reports on supplements for bone health containing calcium and vitamin D— Results posted for 32 supplements for adults and children; One found contaminated with lead

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NEW YORK — MARCH 13, 2006 — ConsumerLab.com announced test results today from its new Product Review of Supplements for Bone Health covering 32 adult and children's products containing calcium and vitamin D. Sales of calcium supplements in the U.S.

Recalls & Warnings

October 15, 2020

FDA Warns Five Sellers of Dangerous Cesium Salt Supplements

On October 9, the FDA issued warning letters to five companies for selling products containing cesium chloride. The FDA has previously warned consumers not to use dietary supplements containing cesium chloride or any other cesium salt.

Recalls & Warnings

April 25, 2017

Beware of Products Which Promise to Treat or Cure Cancer, FDA Warns

On April 25, 2017, the FDA warned consumers to be aware of supplements and other products claiming to cure cancer.

Recalls & Warnings

May 19, 2018

Homeopathic Teething Drops, Nausea Drops, Silver-Zinc Throat Spray & More Recalled

On May 18, 2018, MBI Distributing, Inc.

Recalls & Warnings

September 01, 2018

Homeopathic Remedies Contaminated With Bacteria

On August 29, 2018, Hellolife, Inc.

Recalls & Warnings

June 04, 2004

FTC Charges Marketers of Two Supplements with False Claims to Cure Range of Diseases

On June 3, 2004 the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charged marketers of two dietary supplements with falsely claiming that their products can prevent and cure cancer and other diseases. According to the FTC’s complaint, Boston-area marketers Direct Marketing Concepts, Inc. (DMC), ITV Direct, Inc.

Recalls & Warnings

August 18, 2006

Restitution Program for Purchases of Lane Labs' Products

On August 17, 2006 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it was notifying consumers of a restitution (refund) program for purchasers of three of Lane Labs-USA, Inc.'s products. The products are BeneFin, MGN-3 and SkinAnswer.

Recalls & Warnings

September 15, 2005

Weight Loss Pill Marketer in Settlement with New Jersey Attorney General

On August 16, 2005, New Jersey Attorney General Peter C. Harvey and Consumer Affairs Director, Kimberly Ricketts, announced that Goen Technologies Corp.

Recalls & Warnings

October 06, 2005

Deceptive Marketing of “Supreme Greens" -- Settlement with FTC

On October 6, 2005, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that three individuals and two companies have settled FTC charges over their roles in the deceptive marketing of Supreme Greens, an herbal supplement.

Recalls & Warnings

December 20, 2011

Organic Celery Seed Products Recalled Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination

On December 16, 2011, the U.S. FDA posted a notice from Swanson Health Products regarding the recall of Swanson Organic Celery Seed (Whole) which is packaged in plastic bottles with a net weight of 1.4 oz. (40 grams) because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Recalls & Warnings

September 08, 2018

Homeopathic Oral Sprays Recalled Due to Possible Bacterial Contamination

On September 5, 2018, Beaumont Bio Med, Inc., issued a recall of all of its water and alcohol-based homeopathic products because they have the potential to contain microbial contaminants. 

Recalls & Warnings

March 02, 2005

Marketer of Weight-Loss System Settles FTC Charges of Deceptive Advertising

On March 1, 2005, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that California infomercial producer Modern Interactive Technology, Inc.

Recalls & Warnings

May 17, 2007

Recall of Shark Cartilage Due to Potential Contamination

On May 16, 2007, NBTY, Inc.

Recalls & Warnings

May 26, 2015

Skin Measurement Device Used to Select Nutritional Supplements Not Approved for This Use, FDA Warns

On May 8, 2015, the FDA issued a warning letter to ZYTO Technologies, Inc.

Recalls & Warnings

July 26, 2014

FTC Says Company Made "Outrageous" Weight Loss Claims

Marketers for the Canadian-based Freedom Center Against Obesity have agreed to pay $500,000 to settle FTC charges the company made deceptive claims about its Double Shot diet pills.

Recalls & Warnings

March 14, 2011

22 Brands of Whey Protein Recalled Due to Salmonella Concern

The FDA posted a recall notice involving 22 brands of whey protein powder due to potential contamination with salmonella. The recall was voluntarily initiated on March 10, 2011 by the manufacturer of the products, Vitalabs, Inc.

Recalls & Warnings

January 04, 2012

Seller of "HCG Drops" for Weight Loss Warned by FDA and FTC of Violations

On December 21, 2011, the U.S. FDA and FTC sent a joint Warning Letter to hCG Drops LLC regarding its marketing of Slim Diet Drops. According to the letter, the product is considered an unapproved drug because it is promoted for drug-like uses on the company's website, including the following:

Recalls & Warnings

March 31, 2005

FDA Warns Marketer of "Vitamin O" Product to Cease Unsubstantiated Claims

The U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA) has sent a Warning Letter (dated February 8, 2005) to Donald L. Smyth, President, R-Garden Inc., and Rose Creek Health Products, Inc. warning that its "Vitamin O" product was, among other things, being marketed with unsubstantiated health claims.

Recalls & Warnings

March 19, 2019

FDA Calls Promotion of Nyloxin Homeopathic Products for Pain a "Health Fraud Scam"

On March 11, 2019, the FDA issued a warning letter to Nutra Pharma Corp. following a review of the company's website (www.Nyloxin.com) and social media sites found that the company was making drug claims about its homeopathic products promoted for arthritis and cancer pain.

Recalls & Warnings

July 24, 2018

Contaminated Homeopathic Products Recalled

On July 20, 2018, King Bio issued a recall of four lots of its homeopathic products Aquaflora Candida HP9, Lymph Detox, and Baby Teething liquids because they were found to contain microbial contaminants including Pseudomonas Brenneri, Pseudomonas Fluroescens and ...

Recalls & Warnings

January 24, 2009

Many Brands of Nutrition Bars Recalled Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination

Due to salmonella contamination in peanut butter produced by Peanut Corporation of America, manufacturers of nutrition and snack bars made with this material have recently issued voluntary recalls.

Recalls & Warnings

September 30, 2017

European Union Advisory Council Finds Homeopathic Product Claims "Implausible"

On September 20, 2017, the European Academies' Science Advisory Council (EASAC) published its official analysis and conclusion on the use of homeopathic products, finding a lack of evidence that homeopathic products are effective, and raising concerns about quality control. 

Recalls & Warnings

November 15, 2016

FTC Announces New Enforcement Policy on Homeopathic Drug Claims

On November 15, 2016, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced its new enforcement policy on marketing claims for over-the-counter (OTC) homeopathic drugs. The policy will hold homeopathic drug claims to the same standard as other products making similar claims.

Recalls & Warnings

January 04, 2007

Sellers of Popular Weight Loss Supplements Pay $25 Million Over FTC Allegations of Deceptive Advertising

On January 4, 2007, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it had filed complaints in four separate cases alleging that weight-loss and weight-control claims were not supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence.