Overview

• Stiftung Warentest tested 26 sunscreens with SPF 30, 50 and 50+ and rated eight as “very good” and seven as “mangelhaft” based on protection accuracy and ingredient assessment.
• Seven products, including some high-priced sprays, failed to deliver their claimed UV protection and were downgraded for underperformance.
• Cien Sun Sonnenmilch from Lidl and Lavozon Sonnenmilch from Müller achieved the top score of 1.5, demonstrating that low cost does not preclude high effectiveness.
• Testers detected elevated benzophenone levels in one spray and traces of the harmful plasticizer DnHexP in several lotions, highlighting ongoing safety concerns.
• Experts stress that generous application and prompt reapplication after swimming or sweating are crucial to achieving both UVB and UVA protection.