Recent attacks on sunscreens by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and by the media point to imperfections and potential risks, but miss the point that sunscreen continues to be one of the safest and most effective sun protection methods available.  We are concerned that the criticisms will raise unnecessary fears and cause people to stop using sunscreen, doing their skin serious harm.


Since its inception in 1979, The Skin Cancer Foundation has always recommended using a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher as one important part of a complete sun protection regimen which includes seeking shade, covering up with clothing including a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses and avoiding tanning and UV tanning booths.

In general, the criticisms have not been based on hard science.  In fact, the Chair of the Skin Cancer Foundation’s Photobiology Committee, an independent volunteer panel of top experts on sun damage and sun protection, reviewed the same studies reviewed by the EWG, and found that their determination of what made a sunscreen bad or good was based on “junk science.”

Click HERE to read our response to topics including nanoparticles in zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, vitamin A in sunscreen, and more.