Every year, it’s the same thing: with the holidays approaching, you don’t know which sunscreen to choose from the hundreds of brands and references offered in stores and in pharmacies…
To help us choose, experts from 60 million consumers studied a sample of 15 sun creams, milks and sprays with high or very high protection (sun protection factor SPF50 or SPF50+). The objective: to verify their effectiveness against UV rays and estimate their impact on the environment…
Verdict? The products tested almost all have a filtration of UVB rays (responsible for sunburn) at the height of their claim. For UVA rays, on the other hand, the results are less good: gold, these ultraviolet rays are responsible for the premature aging of the skin and can be at the origin of cancers.
Sun products that protect the skin and the environment
In addition, many sunscreens work using chemical filters (which “absorb” UV rays): however, some of them (such as benzophenones, octocrylene and PABA) are sometimes allergenic or photosensitizing, or even suspected of being endocrine disruptors (such as octocrylene, homosalate and octisalate). Thus, of the 15 products tested by 60 million consumers, only 5 products are rated A or B on the health risk assessment scale.
On the environmental side, there is still progress to be made. Thus, sunscreen products based on oxybenzone (benzophenone-3), octinoxate, octocrylene and avobenzone are suspected of being toxic for marine biodiversity. In addition, solvents, polymers or silicones found in formulas can be problematic for the planet. Only 6 out of 15 products are rated A or B for their impact on the environment.
Which sunscreen products are recommended by 60 million consumers? For this 2021 edition, experts from 60 million consumers recommend the following products:
- Biotherm’s Waterlover Sunmilk sun milk (rated B for health, A for the environment),
- Yves Rocher Peau parfait solar milk (rated A for health, D for the environment),
- Photoderm sun spray from Bioderma (rated D for health, A for the environment).
Source : 60 million consumers (n°571) – July-August 2021
Read also :
- Sunscreen: what protection index for my skin?
- Sun protection: 4 reasons to protect yourself from UV in the city
- Summer lucite: how to prevent this allergy to the sun?
