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SunscreenYou are here: Family >> SunscreenUpdated May 2008Experts say that although some companies are still producing sunscreens without UVA protection, it is now easy to find an effective broad-spectrum sunscreen. Manufacturers and consumers alike are becoming more and more aware of the potential dangers of UVA rays. Sunscreens are also becoming more lightweight and less goopy. Experts and consumers alike say that the lightweight Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch (*est. $8/3 ounces) is the best sunscreen on the market. It provides broad-spectrum protection and is available in SPF 30, 45, 55 and 70 formulations. The SPF 55 formula is reviewed most often, but the SPF 30 and 45 receive similar ratings in reviews. Many complain that the SPF 70 formulation is too thick and heavy. One expert claims that an SPF of 70 is a lot for the skin to handle and provides about 24 hours of protection, which is not necessary. The SPF 70 formula does, however, include Helioplex (as does the SPF 55), which may give consumers better peace of mind. The SPF 30 and 45 formulas don't contain Helioplex, but experts say that the UVA protection is still adequate. User reviews at MakeupAlley.com show a slight preference for these formulas because they are lightweight and don't leave any residue. Still, we chose to place the SPF 55 sunscreen in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers because it provides longer protection and is reviewed most often. It should be noted that both Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 30 and SPF 45 sunscreens contain antioxidants, while the higher SPF formulations do not. Studies show that antioxidants are especially effective at protecting against sun damage when combined with sunscreen. We also found some good reviews for MD Skincare Powerful Sun Protection SPF 30 (*est. $36/5 ounces) , noted in reviews as an excellent broad-spectrum sunscreen that is loaded with antioxidants, including green tea, lycopene and vitamins A, C and E. Health Magazine calls it "the Cadillac of sunscreens," describing it as "weightless" and "fully loaded." It is available in packets, cream, lotion and lip balm. The drawback to the highly rated Neutrogena sunscreen is its cost of about $3 per ounce, making it a very expensive choice for families who go through gallons of the stuff each summer. One highly rated alternative is the less costly No-Ad Sunblock Lotion Maximum SPF 45 (*est. $11/16 ounces) . Although it is not reviewed as often, No-Ad is an excellent, water-resistant no-frills sunscreen that contains avobenzone and oxybenzone for broad-spectrum UVA and UVB coverage. Drugstore.com also lists aloe as one of the ingredients. Aloe is known to be a soothing water-binding agent, which draws water to the skin. It also has antioxidant properties. Coppertone's Sport Lotion (*est. $10/6 ounces) initially sounds like the perfect protection for active folks -- it's oil-free without greasy residue, and the sweat-proof formula keeps this sunscreen out of the eyes. This sunscreen is water-resistant and comes in SPF 15, 30 and 50. It is labeled as a UVA/UVB sunscreen, but its ingredient list shows that Coppertone Sport Lotion sunscreen doesn't contain any of the recommended long-wave UVA protective ingredients (avobenzone, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, Mexoryl SX or Tinosorb) that signify a complete sunscreen. Only the face version, Coppertone Sunscreen Sport Faces SPF 50 (*est. $7/4 ounces) and a couple of the Continuous Spray formulas (*est. $10.50/6 ounces) contain avobenzone as a UVA defense. If you like the other qualities of these Coppertone Sport sunscreens, choose either the face lotion or the Continuous Spray SPF 50 or 70; however, reviewers say broad-spectrum UVA protection shouldn't be an "extra," but a given. Every sunscreen should contain UVA protection, so the face and spray formulas are simply complying with current health standards -- not offering anything extra. For complete protection in a sport formula, experts recommend Neutrogena Active Breathable Sunblock (*est. $10/4 ounces) . Reviews say that it is remarkably similar to Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, but that it has a larger amount of film-forming agents to protect against sweat and repel water. It also contains silica powder to absorb excess oil. Like the Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch formula, this sport sunscreen is lightweight, sheer and dries to a matte finish without feeling oily. It also contains antioxidants, though not as many as Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock. Consumers do point out, however, that the sunscreen drips into the eyes with excessive sweat. Spray-on sunscreens are fairly new to the market. Sunscreen sprays are convenient since you don't have to rub them in. However, you lose a fair amount of product into the air, and you can't spray them on your face. Many of them also contain alcohol, which can be drying and irritating for skin of all types. One exception is Kiehl's Vital Sun Protection Spray (*est. $17.50/4.2 ounces). It is a water-resistant, fragrance-free formula designed for active children. The avobenzone, however, can irritate sensitive skin and may be more appropriate for adults. Furthermore, Douglas Wolk, who tests Kiehl's spray-on sunscreen at Slate magazine, does not recommend using it on the face because it may get into the eyes. He claims that the spray is "decent" but it becomes "gummy" as it dries. He believes that there are other choices that offer better value. It's important to note that issues like the texture of a sunblock or the smell of it can be extremely subjective. What might feel nice to one person could potentially not feel very good at all to another person. That means you might have to try a few before you find a sunscreen that's both effective and feels good to you. We found good reviews for Blue Lizard products. These don't contain avobenzone, but they do contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide -- neither of these ingredients is actually absorbed into the skin. Rather, they are physical barriers against broad-spectrum UVA and UVB rays, and reviews say they work just as well as avobenzone and other chemical sunscreens. This type of sunscreen is usually thicker and harder to rub in, but since it contains fewer chemicals, those with sensitive skin may prefer it. Blue Lizard Suncream SPF 30+ (*est. $9.50/5 ounces) gets nice comments from users who say they found this formula less irritating and they like the smell. It does contain some chemical sunscreens, but not avobenzone. Zinc oxide is the active UVA sunblock. If you have sensitive skin, you might prefer a sunscreen that is entirely chemical- and fragrance-free. SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense (*est. $36/3 ounces) uses five percent zinc oxide and ten percent titanium dioxide. It is chemical- and fragrance-free, making it suitable for the most sensitive skin. It may, however, be too heavy for those with oily or acne-prone skin. The manufacturer recommends daily use of this sunscreen on the face, neck and chest. It is also perfectly safe for the body, but for the price, consumers may prefer to use it solely on the face. That's because experts recommend that adults use one ounce of sunscreen for full body coverage and that it be reapplied every two hours. Reviews are great for Blue Lizard Sensitive (*est. $9.50/5 ounces) which also uses zinc oxide (10%) and titanium dioxide (5%) to block broad-spectrum UVA and UVB rays. It is chemical- and fragrance-free and it costs much less than the SkinCeuticals formula. Because this sunscreen is thick and creamy, users say it takes a while to rub in. Some people don't like zinc-oxide formulas because they can leave a white-ish film on your skin, but users say that Blue Lizard blends in better than most in this respect. Keep in mind that Blue Lizard also sells a Baby formula that is identical to the Sensitive formula. The only difference is the color of the bottle. It is especially important to use sunscreen on the face, which is vulnerable to the sun's rays most often. See the ConsumerSearch report on facial moisturizers to find recommended daily moisturizers with sunscreen. Baby sunscreen and sunscreen for kidsMany sunscreens are advertised for kids, but reviews say the only differences between these and adult sunscreens are irritating fragrances, and occasionally, the form of UVA protection. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are less irritating to sensitive skin than avobenzone, and are therefore recommended for babies and children. Mustela Bebe Enfant High Protection SPF 50 (*est. $15/1.6 ounces) is recommended for the faces and bodies of babies and children. It is 100 percent natural, fragrance-free and water-resistant. It's also very expensive. On the other end of the price spectrum, Banana Boat Kids Tear-Free Sunblock Lotion SPF 30 (*est. $8/8 ounces) offers broad-spectrum protection at an affordable price, but is not completely chemical-free. It uses titanium dioxide (1.2%) along with homosalate (9%), octinoxate (7.5%) and octisalate (5%), which are chemical UVB sunscreens. Paula Begoun says it has "a silky texture and smooth finish that is water resistant." Consumers at Drugstore.com are also pleased that this sunscreen is very easy to apply and doesn't irritate the eyes. Banana Boat Kids Tear-Free Sunblock Lotion is also available with SPF 50 (*est. $8/8 ounces) . Blue Lizard Baby sunscreen SPF 30 (*est. $10/5 ounces) contains a combination of titanium dioxide (10%) and zinc oxide (5%), and it's both fragrance- and chemical-free. Keep in mind that Blue Lizard Baby is identical to their Sensitive formula for adults, so there's not much reason to pay more for the baby version (which comes in a different bottle). Spwipes (*est. $9/10-pack) is sunscreen packaged in the form of disposable towelettes. While this sounds like a convenient option for kids who might not sit still for a lotion application, Spwipes don't contain any UVA-protecting ingredients. They come in SPF 30 and are water- and sweat-resistant. One ten-pack provides about four adult applications. While throwaway towelettes might be ideal for a hike in the woods when you don't want to lug a big bottle along, it's more cost-effective and safer to choose one of the sunscreens in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers, which offer UVA protection and more applications for the price. Important Features: SunscreenExperts say the following about choosing sunscreen:
Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our * Also see our Comparison Chart.
Neutrogena sunscreen is recommended most often in reviews. Both the Active Breathable and Ultra Sheer formulas contain avobenzone to protect against long-wave UVA rays. Some formulas further contain Helioplex. Manufacturers claim that this ingredient allows users to go up to five hours without reapplying sunscreen. La Roche-Posay Anthelios SX and Lancôme UV Expert 20 are two of just a handful of products in the U.S. right now that contain Mexoryl SX, but Anthelios is actually a facial moisturizer with sunscreen, not a full-body sunscreen. Lancôme UV Expert is for face and body, but it's very expensive and similar protection can be found in other, more affordable sunscreens. Blue Lizard Baby and adult formulas use gentler zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for broad-spectrum UVA protection.
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Due to the threat of the West Nile Virus in recent years, we have seen some products on the market that combine sunscreen and insect repellent. While a seemingly good idea, experts say the sunscreen wears off before the insect repellent and frequent re-applications can irritate kids' sensitive skin. You are better off using a regular sunscreen, which can be applied frequently, along with a separate insect repellent applied less frequently. If you're looking for a golden glow without the danger of UV exposure, there are many sunless tanning products on the market. See our companion report on sunless tanning for more information. SPF ratings have been around for a long time, but as of the date of this publication, there are still no rating systems in place for UVA protection. This may be changing in the near future. Recently, the FDA proposed a four-star UVA protection rating system. A 90-day commentary period and a FDA response must take place before a ruling can be made. Once a final ruling is made, manufacturers will have 18 months to comply. Since 2002, the FDA has mandated that sunscreens stop labeling themselves as "waterproof," since all sunscreens are affected by water. Instead, manufacturers can call their products "water resistant" or "very water resistant." However, many manufacturers haven't incorporated the guidelines, even five years after the FDA mandate. The recent lawsuit highlights this misuse of wording, along with other potentially misleading wording and claims that manufacturers make in their product packaging. Adding to the confusion about labeling and the meaning of terms used to describe these products is the willingness of the American Cancer Society (ACS) to license use of its logo to some sunscreen product makers in return for a royalty fee. The ACS does not endorse any particular sunscreen, according to its website. However, some Neutrogena products have the ACS logo on their packaging. Neutrogena has not been endorsed by the ACS. They are simply paying a fee to the ACS for use of its logo on their packaging. We found the book "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me" by Paula Begoun to be extremely comprehensive and helpful in evaluating sunscreens. Her companion websites Beautypedia.com (a subscription site) and CosmeticsCop.com are also valuable resources. The American Academy of Dermatology's website (http://www.aad.org) has some useful information about sunscreen as well as definitions and ingredients to look for. If you're looking for ingredient lists, we found the most complete information at Drugstore.com. Interestingly, 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). Two articles in Dermatology Times discuss changes in sunscreen labeling and the effectiveness of sunscreen when combined with antioxidants. See "FDA proposes changes in labeling, testing of suncreens" and "Antioxidants Beef Up Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen." The following manufacturers' websites are also helpful sources of information: Blue Lizard (made by Crown Laboratories) Advertisement
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© 2008 ConsumerSearch, Inc. A service from 
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ConsumerSearch and ConsumerSearch.com are registered trademarks of ConsumerSearch, Inc. Other trademarks or service marks on this site are the property of their respective owners. ConsumerSearch is not sponsored by any source reviewed, and we accept no consideration or payment for including, excluding, or ranking any reviews, products or services in our reports.
* Pricing information is approximate as of the time this report was written and is based on observed market selling prices and/or list prices. Actual selling prices may differ.
