Sunscreen Brands and Links

Safe tanning and shopping for sunscreen

If you're looking for a golden glow without the danger of UV exposure, there are many effective sunless tanning products on the market. See our companion report on sunless tanning for more information.

Sunscreen SPF ratings have been around for a long time, but there are no rating systems in place for UVA protection. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a four-star UVA protection rating system. Once a final ruling is made, manufacturers will have at least a year to comply.

Good Housekeeping lists suggestions for choosing a sunscreen, which include looking for products that contain broad spectrum protection and adequate SPF ratings.

Shape magazine summarizes recent studies regarding the link between melanoma and sunscreen use. In short, studies do not show a definite link, but they don't prove that sunscreen prevents melanoma either. Editors point out that most participants in the study used older products that were not as strong as today's offerings.

Editors of Allure magazine suggest that spray sunscreens may be more effective than lotion formulas because they don't have to be rubbed in. Two coats of lotion should be applied for maximum protection. 

The book "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me" by Paula Begoun is comprehensive. Begoun's companion websites Beautypedia.com (a subscription site) and CosmeticsCop.com are also valuable resources.   

The Environmental Working Group's (EWG) 2010 Sunscreen Guide contains sun safety tips and product recommendations based on its study of 500 sunscreens. The report is highly critical, and experts are divided as to the findings, many of whom say statements made here are unsubstantiated.  

The Personal Care Products Council, a national trade association for cosmetic and personal care products and an advocate for consumer safety, says many of the EWG's statements about sunscreen are outdated and unsubstantiated.

Shine, a lifestyle website that focuses on beauty, also rejects the statements made by the EWG in its latest sunscreen report. In this article, Zoe Draelos, a consulting professor at the Duke University School of Medicine and spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology, says that most of the EWG's statements are not substantiated.

In this article, Natural Health magazine editors debunk several commonly held beliefs about sun exposure and sunscreen.

"Sun Safety 101" is an article by About.com's former skin cancer guide, Timothy DiChiara, who discusses the risk factors of skin cancer as well as preventive measures. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

The American Academy of Dermatology's website has some useful information about sunscreen, as well as definitions and ingredients to look for.

About.com's Skin Care 2011 Readers' Choice Awards allowed readers to vote for their favorite skin care products, including sunscreens. Readers nominate their favorite budget skin care products, brands and beauty bloggers then vote on the top five finalists. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.) 

ConsumerReports.org editors discuss the safety of sunscreen in two articles, one of which tests products against their claims of not containing nanoparticles, and the other discusses the need for more unprotected sun exposure to avoid a vitamin D deficiency. The articles "No Nano-Sunscreens" and "Tip of the Day: Soak Up 10 Minutes of Sun for Vitamin D" are particularly useful.

Another Consumer Reports blog post offers tips for using sunscreen on babies and young children.

Real Simple magazine editors offer solutions to common complaints about sunscreen, including irritation, vitamin D deficiency and naturally dark sunburn-resistant skin.

Very few manufacturers list full ingredients on their websites, but Drugstore.com reprints the entire list on their website. They do this for other products too, making it a good resource. See the Pharmacy Results section to the right of the page.

TruthinAging.com, a consumer safety advocate, discusses octinoxate and three other chemical sunscreens, their functions and safety levels.

Dermatology Times provides several articles on the health benefits of sunscreen, as well as labeling laws and safety concerns. (Some articles require free registration.) See the articles "FDA Proposes Changes in Labeling, Testing of Sunscreens" and "Antioxidants Beef Up Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen."

Sunscreen brands

La Roche-Posay

Neutrogena

Coppertone

Blue Lizard (made by Crown Laboratories)

SkinCeuticals

Banana Boat

California Baby

Badger

Kinesys

No-Ad

Aveeno

Shiseido