The best sunscreen doesn’t just have healthier ingredients, it’s the one you’ll actually use. That’s why it’s so important to find a sunscreen you like, will wear consistently, and will reapply.
For years, consumers struggled to find sunscreens they could trust. Misleading sun protection factor, or SPF, labels, weak protection from the sun’s ultraviolet A, or UVA, rays, and confusing ingredient lists made it difficult to make informed choices.
In 2007, when the Food and Drug Administration failed to modernize sunscreen regulations, EWG stepped in – launching a guide to sunscreens to highlight products that truly protect.
Then, in 2021, EWG scientists uncovered a major issue: Most sunscreens sold in the U.S. failed to provide adequate UVA protection, despite their SPF claims. Many people were unknowingly exposing their skin to harmful UVA rays, which penetrate the skin deeply and cause long-term damage, premature aging and increased cancer risk. Consumers deserved better.
In 2023, EWG introduced EWG Verified® sunscreens. More than just another label, the EWG Verified mark is a promise that a sunscreen meets EWG’s strictest standards for safety, ingredient transparency and effectiveness.
Consumers are demanding safer, more effective products, and companies are responding.
The results? Remarkable.
Since the launch of EWG Verified sunscreens, the program has seen explosive growth:
This isn’t just statistics – it’s a movement.
Now, with more than 60 EWG Verified sunscreens available – and over 120 products when you include moisturizers with SPF and lip balms with SPF – it’s easier than ever to find a safer, more effective SPF product you’ll want to wear every day.
With hundreds of sunscreens on the market, EWG Verified simplifies your choices. EWG scientists have already done the research – you just need to seek a product that bears the mark.
EWG Verified sunscreens must meet high performance standards that go beyond what’s required by regulators in the the U.S. and Europe. The European Commission recommends a sunscreen’s measured UVA protection be at least one-third of its SPF rating. EWG Verified sunscreens must meet this standard, ensuring high-level protection against both UVA and ultraviolet B rays.
Many sunscreens still contain outdated, potentially harmful chemicals linked to hormone disruption, allergies and serious health risks.
EWG Verified sunscreens stand apart by requiring full ingredient transparency and avoiding substances linked to health risks, toxicity or contamination. Products bearing the mark must also comply with strict safety standards, ensuring that any restricted ingredients are used only within the rigorous limits set by leading health and industry authorities.
EWG Verified sunscreens must also meet these standards:
EWG scientists have already done the hard work on identifying better sunscreens – so you don’t have to. The EWG Verified mark is your shortcut to a safe and effective sunscreen you can trust.
Unless and until the FDA strengthens its sunscreen regulations, EWG will continue to fill the gap, offering consumers peace of mind and reliable choices.
When you see the EWG Verified mark on a product, you will know that the product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health. When you see the mark, you can be confident that EWG Verified products:
When you shop, you don’t have to guess any longer whether a sunscreen is effective. Just look for products bearing the EWG Verified mark.
You can also search EWG’s Guide to Sunscreens or use the Healthy Living app to check ratings before you buy.
As a pioneer in advocating for consumer safety, EWG has been at the forefront of evaluating sunscreen products for more than 18 years. The EWG Verified mark is the gold standard for sunscreen safety, so you can protect your skin from sun damage.
Sunscreen isn’t just a summer essential – it’s an everyday necessity.
