Almost HALF of top-rated sunscreens ‘don’t offer adequate protection’

July 7, 2016

Study analyzed the top 1% sunscreens rated by consumers on Amazon
It found 40% of those products did not meet basic dermatology guidelines
Most of the product reviews focused on their smell not their SPF factor
Water and sweat resistance was the most common factor missed out on

Mia De Graaf For Dailymail.com

Published:
15:15 EST, 6 July 2016

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Updated:
18:02 EST, 6 July 2016

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Your sunscreen may smell nice, feel smooth, and have stellar reviews on Amazon.

But a new study warns some of the most popular creams do not meet all the guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology.

The AAD stipulates that sunscreen meet three basic criteria: protects against UVA and UVB rays, has an SPF above 30, and is water-resistant.

However, a study carried out at Chicago’s Northwestern University found consumers seem more concerned with cosmetic factors when writing their highly-influential reviews of the product online.

And worryingly, 40 per cent of the top rated sunscreens fall short of the AAD’s criteria.

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Not all the same: Some of the best-rated products don’t meet federal guidelines, a study has found. Aveeno’s SPF 15 moisturizer (left) is highly-rated but falls short. However, L’Oreal’s SPF 50 is highly-rated and delivers

While Neutrogena’s highly popular oil-free moisturizer (left) does not provide adequate water resistance, the brand’s equally popular face body stick sunscreen SPF 70 (right) meets all AAD guidelines, the study says

Dr. Steve Xu, a dermatology resident at Northwestern, analyzed the top-rated one per cent of Amazon.com’s 6,500 sunscreens.

All of the 65 products he tested had a minimum rating of four stars out of five, with a minimum of 150 reviews.

Twenty-six of those products failed to meet the three criteria.

Water and sweat resistance were the most common factors brands failed to deliver on.

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The most-reviewed product on Amazon, which is also one of the best rated, EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46, did not meet the AAD’s criteria.

Despite getting an average 4.4-star rating among 1,792 reviews, the product is not water resistant. It is also one of the most costly, at $13.38.

Another highly-rated product – Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen, Sensitive SPF 30+ – fell short due to lack of water resistance, despite earning a 4.5-star rating.

Worringly, one of the most popular products on the site is Zinc oxide powder, an alternative form of protection that does not have any registered sun protective factor.

It is cheap, at $1.35 per ounce, and has an astonishing 4.9-star rating. But it falls short on all three of the AAD’s basic requirements.

Neutrogena Sunscreen Ultra Sheer Stick SPF 70 is one of the best ones on the list, according to Dr Xu’s study, meeting all requirements.

Eucerin Daily Protection Moisturizing Face Lotion (left) does not meet AAD criteria. Thinksport SPF 50 Plus Sunscreen (right) does

Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen, Sensitive SPF 30+ (left) was not deemed adequate by the study. Whereas EltaMD SPF 50 UV Sport Water-resistant Sunscreen (right) meets all AAD criteria

However, Neutrogena’s roll-on Oil Free Moisture SPF 35 did not make the grade.

Reflecting on his findings, Dr Xu told Daily Mail Online that it is as important for medical professionals as consumers.

‘As dermatologists, one of the most important questions we get asked is what sunscreen should I be using?’ he said.

‘Oftentimes we don’t understand exactly what our patients really like about these products. I can recommend a high SPF but it might not be the nicest smell or smoothest feeling.

‘The importance of sunscreen cannot be understated.

‘So it is important that we understand the different factors that patients want so we can give them different options – “if you’re looking for something cheap, I’d recommend this”, or “this one is popular because of its smell and it meets AAD criteria”.

The study was published July 6 in the journal JAMA Dermatology.