April 23, 2021 – A $ 4 sunscreen from Walmart did well enough to be recommended and named a “Best Buy” in this year’s Consumer Reports sunscreen reviews that were just published. It’s Equate Sport Lotion SPF 50, a brand from Walmart.
In addition, two sunscreen sprays have been added to the recommended list: Hawaiian Tropic Island Sports Spray SPF 30 (US $ 9) and Alba Botanica Hawaiian Coconut Clear Spray SPF 50 (US $ 11). The entire ranking report will be posted on the Consumer Reports member website.
Pandemic Challenges
“Social distancing over the past year has made it harder to test sunscreen,” says Trisha Calvo, assistant editor for health and food at Consumer Reports and editor of the report.
The team runs tests in the lab and on real people, says Calvo. In the tests on people, the participants sit in a tub of water for 40 to 80 minutes, depending on the product’s water resistance requirements. You will come back the next day so that your skin can be checked for redness to determine the sun protection factor.
The sun protection factor (SPF) measures how well a sunscreen protects against sunburn, which is mainly due to exposure to UVB rays. Products with the designation “broad spectrum” protect against UVA, associated with skin aging, as well as against UVB. Consumer Reports tests the products for UVA and UVB protection.
This year, five fewer products were tested than in the previous year (53). Calvo hopes to add more products in the coming months.
“We still couldn’t find a mineral-based sunscreen that was good enough to recommend,” she cited some consumer concerns about chemical sunscreens that contain ingredients such as oxybenzone and avobenzone, among others. The chemicals have been found to penetrate the skin and bloodstream. The FDA is trying to understand the long-term effects of this absorption. It is said that there is no risk of absorption and that you should keep using sunscreen.
While some are concerned about the chemical sunscreens, the risks of skin damage and skin cancer from sun exposure are far greater than the risk of chemicals in sunscreens, according to Calvo.
“We had two mineral sunscreens that got good reviews,” she says. They’re not high on the list, but she does consider them acceptable for those trying to avoid chemical sunscreens. Mineral sunscreens use ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide that act as physical barriers against the sun’s rays.
You are:
- Badger Active Natural Mineral Cream SPF 30 ($ 18)
- California Kids #supersensitive Tinted Lotion SPF 30-plus ($ 20)
More top performers
Among other things, Calvo says:
- Kiehl’s Activated Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 ($ 32)
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Lotion SPF 70 ($ 13)
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios Lotion Spray SPF 60 ($ 25)
Protect children
“We ideally recommend not using sprays on children,” says Calvo. Children are more likely to inhale the sprays. But she knows parents prefer sprays for convenience. When using a child sunscreen, ideally parents should spray it on their hands and then rub it into their child’s skin. At the very least, parents could have their child close their mouth and eyes and turn their head when they spray it on.
Never spray sunscreen on your face, she says to adults and children.
Dermatologist weighs in
Michele S. Green, MD, a dermatologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, checked the ranking. “It’s surprising that there were more sprays than recommended lotions,” she says. In her opinion, “Spray sunscreens are typically less effective, which means the skin is more susceptible to damage from UV rays from the sun. This means there is a higher risk of sun damage and the possible development of skin cancer.”
She emphasizes the importance of applying spray and lotion sunscreens correctly. She recommends adults an ounce of sunscreen applied to exposed skin. With sprays, she says, it can be difficult to know how much has been used.
When choosing a sunscreen for children, she suggests finding one that is water-resistant and has broadband coverage with an SPF of 30 or more.
Sun protection plus
Calvo reminds consumers to view sunscreens as just a sunscreen step. She tells people to wear a hat and hide in the sun.
“No sun protection blocks all sun rays,” she says.
WebMD Health News
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Consumer Reports: “Best Sunscreens of 2021.”
Trisha Calvo, Assistant Editor, Health and Food, Consumer Reviews; Editor, Sun Protection Report.
Michele Green, MD, dermatologist, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City.
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