Overview
- Stiftung Warentest’s May 2025 evaluation of 18 creams awarded Eau Thermale Avène Sonnenmilch Dry Touch the only “Sehr gut” (1.5) rating for UV protection, ingredient safety and application performance.
- ÖKO-TEST’s June review of 26 SPF 50 and SPF 50+ sunscreens named budget options Sun D’Or and Sundance as top performers for both sun defense and formulation quality.
- Several products were downgraded after tests detected UV filters like Octocrylen, DnHexP and Homosalate, which have been linked to hormonal effects and potential toxicity.
- SPF 30 already blocks 96.7 percent of UVB rays compared with 98 percent for SPF 50, so experts emphasize reapplying every two hours or after swimming or sweating to maintain effective protection.
- The SCCS continues to permit Octocrylen at concentrations up to 10 percent despite evidence that it can convert into carcinogenic benzophenone under certain conditions.