(We also use a reference sunscreen with known performance to ensure the accuracy of the testing.) About a day later, a trained technician examines the areas for redness. Afterward, smaller sections of that area are exposed to five to six intensities of UV light from a sun simulator for a set time based on how quickly the panelist’s skin burns without protection. ![]() Then they soak in a tub of water for 40 or 80 minutes, depending on the product’s water-resistance claim. To check SPF, a standard amount of each sunscreen is applied to a 2x3-inch rectangle on each panelist’s back. We also do a different test to determine UVA protection, which we think gives more helpful results. “We use three samples, preferably with different lot numbers, of each product.” For SPF-a measure of how well a product protects against UVB rays-we test the sunscreens on fewer people than the FDA’s protocol calls for, and we test only after water immersion because if a product holds up on wet skin, it should hold up on dry skin. “We buy the sunscreens for our tests off the shelf, the way consumers would,” says Susan Booth, who oversees our sunscreen testing. CR members have access to our full sunscreen ratings. Below are some of the top-performing sunscreens in our tests, listed in alphabetical order within their category. So whatever your issues with sunscreen-whether you think it’s greasy or gloppy, you don’t use enough of it, or you’re just overwhelmed by the number of different products to choose from-our advice and ratings can help. Our sensory specialists also objectively evaluate the scent and feel of each sunscreen and provide a description so you can choose a product that appeals to you. (Protection against UVB is represented by a sunscreen’s SPF.) Both types contribute to skin cancer risk. ![]() The issue of systemic absorption further. In a 2020 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, FDA researchers studied six active ingredients in chemical sunscreensoxybenzone, avobenzone, octocrylene. This means it can interfere with your body's hormonal system, potentially leading to various health problems ranging from reproductive issues to metabolic disorders and even certain types of cancers. UVA rays are primarily responsible for aging, while UVB rays are the ones that mostly cause sunburn. Some studies suggest avobenzone, like many other chemical sunscreens, may act as an endocrine disruptor. We’ve tested dozens of sprays and lotions in the lab to determine how well they will protect your skin against radiation from ultraviolet A and B rays from the sun. But we’ve discovered major differences even among products made by the same brands, and our tests have found that sometimes the protection offered by a sunscreen doesn’t match the SPF listed on the label. And Consumer Reports testing has found that you don’t have to pay top dollar to find one that works. There’s an elixir that can keep your skin from looking old before its time and protect you against the most common type of cancer-it’s called sunscreen.
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