As sunscreen misinformation continues to circulate online, industry and health organizations are pushing back against growing consumer distrust. According to recent research from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), more than 16 million Americans may now be at increased risk for skin cancer due to concerns surrounding sunscreen safety and ingredients.
In response to ongoing discussions around sunscreen effectiveness, labeling, and ingredient safety—including the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) 2026 Guide to Sunscreens—the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) and Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) released a joint statement reaffirming the importance of daily sun protection and warning against misleading sunscreen safety claims.
The EWG Sunscreen Guide is an annual database and rating system that evaluates sunscreens sold in the US using criteria such as broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, SPF claims, ingredient safety concerns, preservatives, product formats, and mineral versus chemical UV filters. Yet, out of over 2,700 products analyzed, only 550 were determined to fit the group’s standards, which the PCPC and CHPA claims misleads consumers.
According to Jaap Venema, Chief Scientist at PCPC, “suggesting that only a limited number of sunscreens are safe and effective discourages sunscreen use, which can harm public health, especially for those with repeated sun exposure.”
Skin cancer remains the most common cancer in the United States, with health authorities continuing to emphasize the importance of broad-spectrum sunscreen alongside protective measures like seeking shade and wearing sun-protective clothing to help reduce UV damage and cancer risk.
“In the US, more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year than all other cancers combined,” said Dr. Jane Yoo, MD, Board Certified Dermatologist and a spokesperson for the Skin Cancer Foundation, in a press release. “Alarmist headlines and misleading claims about sunscreen safety exacerbate an already dire, but preventable, public health situation.”
Yoo also noted that sunscreens are among the most extensively studied and rigorously tested personal care products, with decades of evidence supporting their safety and effectiveness. The organizations further argued that reports questioning sunscreen safety may contribute to increased UV exposure, sunburns, and preventable skin damage at a time when daily sunscreen usage remains low. According to Yoo, fewer than 12% of adults use sunscreen every day.
CHPA also stressed that effective sun protection goes beyond SPF alone and relies heavily on consistent daily application and reapplication. The organization reiterated that the FDA regulates sunscreens sold in the United States and must meet established safety standards.
“The best sunscreen is the one you use every day and reapply as directed,” said Scott Furness, CHPA’s Senior Vice President of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, in a press release. “We support continued, science-based dialogue that supports consumer choice and reinforces the importance of daily sun protection habits.”
Melanoma survivors also weighed in on the joint statement, warning that fear-driven messaging around sunscreen formulations could discourage consumers from wearing sun protection altogether.
“We cannot let fear-mongering convince people that sunscreen is more dangerous than the sun,” said patient advocate and melanoma survivor Leah Koskinen in the press release. “We know UV radiation causes skin cancer. That has been proven over and over.”
Another survivor, Leah Adams, stated that “while no product is perfect, messaging that creates fear or confusion around sunscreen safety can, unfortunately, discourage people from using any protection at all, and that can have very real consequences.”
These responses arrive as conversations about sunscreen ingredients and SPF safety continue to gain traction across social media and wellness communities. PCPC and CHPA aim to reinforce established public health guidance while encouraging consumers to continue practicing daily sun protection habits.