Stiftung Warentest: Best Sunscreen for Face & Body
- A recent sunscreen test conducted by Stiftung Warentest indicates that many products, including some high-end and organic options, fail to deliver their advertised level of sun protection.
- In a separate evaluation focusing on facial sunscreens, Stiftung Warentest reported that the majority of the 14 creams assessed performed "satisfactorily" or "well." Though, the test also revealed...
- The tests included sunscreens, lotions, and sprays for adults with sun protection factors (SPF) of 30, 50, or 50+.Out of the 20 products evaluated, two received a "very...
Sunscreen Test Reveals Discrepancies in Protection Levels
Table of Contents
- Sunscreen Test Reveals Discrepancies in Protection Levels
- Facial Sunscreen Performance Generally Positive
- Top Sunscreen Performers of 2024
- Sunscreen Products Failing to Meet Protection Standards
- Concerns Over Plasticizers in Sunscreen
- Sunscreen testing: what You Need to Know
- What did the Stiftung Warentest sunscreen test reveal?
- What is the performance of facial sunscreens compared to body sunscreens?
- Which sunscreens performed best in 2024?
- What are the top-rated, affordable sunscreens?
- Which sunscreens failed to meet protection standards?
- What are the plasticizer concerns in sunscreens?
- Which sunscreens contained the plasticizer DNHEXP?
- Summary of Sunscreen Ratings and Issues
A recent sunscreen test conducted by Stiftung Warentest indicates that many products, including some high-end and organic options, fail to deliver their advertised level of sun protection. The study, encompassing a range of full-body sunscreens, found that only half of those tested in 2024 met the expected protection standards. Furthermore, some products were found to contain prohibited plasticizers.
Facial Sunscreen Performance Generally Positive
In a separate evaluation focusing on facial sunscreens, Stiftung Warentest reported that the majority of the 14 creams assessed performed “satisfactorily” or “well.” Though, the test also revealed a surprising outcome: the most expensive product received the lowest rating.
Top Sunscreen Performers of 2024
The tests included sunscreens, lotions, and sprays for adults with sun protection factors (SPF) of 30, 50, or 50+.Out of the 20 products evaluated, two received a “very good” rating, while eight were rated “good.”
Consumers can find effective sun protection at affordable prices. According to the test results, two of the top-performing sunscreens are also among the least expensive:
- Edeka Sun d’Or Sonnenspray Obvious
- Rossmann Sunozon Sonnenpray
Sunscreen Products Failing to Meet Protection Standards
Several sunscreens failed to provide the UV protection indicated on their labels, leading to “poor” ratings.These products include:
- Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Expert+ ultra-light sun protection milk
- I+m natural cosmetics berlin sun spray
- Lavera natural cosmetics sun lotion sensitive
- Lidl cien sun sun milk
- Lush Million Dollar Sun Cream
- M. Asam Sun Care & Protect Sun Cream
The testers noted that the sun spray from I+M and the Lush product offered inadequate UVA and UVB protection. The Lush sunscreen, priced at 42 euros per 100 milliliters, was the most expensive product tested.
Concerns Over Plasticizers in Sunscreen
For the first time, Stiftung Warentest investigated the presence of potentially harmful plasticizers in sunscreens. This examination was prompted by the detection of a plasticizer degradation product in urine samples during authorities’ examinations.
the following sun protection products were found to contain DI-N-Hexylphthalat (DNHEXP):
- Newkee Care Essentials 01 Daily Sunscreen
- Ladival allergic skin sun protection gel
- Müller Lavozon sun milk
- Kaufland Bevola Classic sun milk
While the EU cosmetics ordinance prohibits the use of DNHEXP, its presence in these products may be due to contamination. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment suggests that the levels detected do not pose an immediate health risk. Consequently, the overall rating for these products remained “satisfactory.”
Sunscreen testing: what You Need to Know
This article summarizes the findings of a recent sunscreen test conducted by Stiftung Warentest, examining sunscreen effectiveness and safety. It answers common questions about sunscreen performance, ingredients, and top-rated products.
What did the Stiftung Warentest sunscreen test reveal?
- Many sunscreens, including some expensive and organic brands, did not provide the stated level of sun protection.
- Around half of the sunscreens tested in 2024 met the expected protection standards.
- Some products contained prohibited plasticizers.
What is the performance of facial sunscreens compared to body sunscreens?
In a separate evaluation, most of the tested facial sunscreens performed “satisfactorily” or “well.” However, the most expensive facial sunscreen tested received the lowest rating.
Which sunscreens performed best in 2024?
Out of the 20 sunscreens evaluated, two received a “very good” rating, and eight received a ”good” rating. Two of the top-performing sunscreens where also among the least expensive options.
What are the top-rated, affordable sunscreens?
According to the test results, the following sunscreens stood out for their quality and price:
- Edeka Sun d’Or sonnenspray Obvious
- Rossmann Sunozon Sonnenpray
Which sunscreens failed to meet protection standards?
Several sunscreens received “poor” ratings for failing to provide the advertised UV protection. These include:
- Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Expert+ ultra-light sun protection milk
- I+m natural cosmetics berlin sun spray
- Lavera natural cosmetics sun lotion sensitive
- Lidl cien sun sun milk
- Lush Million Dollar Sun Cream
- M.Asam Sun Care & Protect Sun Cream
The I+M and Lush products showed inadequate UVA and UVB protection.
What are the plasticizer concerns in sunscreens?
Stiftung Warentest investigated plasticizers in sunscreens for the first time.The presence of DI-N-Hexylphthalat (DNHEXP), a prohibited plasticizer, was detected in some products. However, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment suggests that the levels found do not pose an immediate health risk.
Which sunscreens contained the plasticizer DNHEXP?
The following sun protection products contained DI-N-Hexylphthalat (DNHEXP):
- Newkee Care Essentials 01 Daily Sunscreen
- Ladival allergic skin sun protection gel
- Müller Lavozon sun milk
- Kaufland Bevola Classic sun milk
Summary of Sunscreen Ratings and Issues
Here’s a concise summary of the findings:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Overall Performance | Many sunscreens failed to meet advertised protection levels. |
| Facial Sunscreen | Mostly satisfactory or good performance; most expensive product received the lowest rating. |
| Top Performers | Edeka Sun d’Or Sonnenspray Obvious, Rossmann Sunozon Sonnenpray |
| Products of Concern | Garnier Ambre Solaire, I+M, Lavera, Lidl Cien, Lush, M. Asam (failed UV protection) |
| Plasticizer Concerns | DNHEXP detected in some products; levels considered to be safe. |
| DNHEXP-Contaminated Products | Newkee care Essentials, Ladival, Müller Lavozon, Kaufland Bevola Classic |