Updates to the EWG Sunscreens Guide and Sun Care

Contemporary Clinic®spoke with Carla Burns, research and database analyst at Environmental Working Group (EWG) about the EWG Sunscreen Guide and sun care.

Burns said that EWG has been releasing their sunscreen guide for 14 years, starting back in 2007 when many products on the market weren’t as safe and were misleading. The origin behind this guide was to help consumers know what exactly is in their products and how SPF products work for them and their family.

Burns said that each product is analyzed by 2 different factors: the ingredient hazards associated with any ingredient on the product label and sunscreen efficacy.

“We found that only about a quarter of the products met our standards and are on what we call our ‘best list’,” Burns said. “Those products have adequate UVA and UVB protection and do not contain ingredients of concern.”

Burns also discussed the most common misconception that EWG has found in sunscreen use research and recommendations for those who have skin conditions/skin cancer history in their family.