Overview
- Consumer groups led by Austria’s VKI and France’s Que Choisir tested no‑name sunscreens bought from Temu, Shein and AliExpress and found several products with serious faults, including listings for the EU‑banned filter 4‑MBC that were excluded from lab analysis.
- Independent lab work reported Thursday by Stiftung Warentest on 23 children’s products showed 14 rated good but five failed to reach their promised SPF and some contained trace contaminants such as DnHexP while several formulas listed the stabiliser EDTA.
- Dermatologists emphasized that sunscreen only gives the labelled protection when people apply enough product and reapply regularly, recommending roughly 20–30 grams for a full adult body application and reapplication every two to three hours or after swimming.
- Experts warned about specific product risks: sprays are easy to underdose and may present inhalation hazards for children, and chemical filters such as octocrylene and OMC remain under review for allergy, hormonal and environmental effects.
- Practical advice for families: choose sunscreens tested by reputable labs or trusted retailers, prioritise shade and protective clothing during peak UV hours, avoid cheap unbranded imports, and watch for further regulatory actions following the May EU ban on 4‑MBC.