Online solcremes fail safety tests

A new test of sunscreens sold on online platforms Temu, Shein, and AliExpress found that nine out of ten products failed to deliver the promised protection, Danish broadcaster DR reports.

Only one of the ten tested sunscreens, all marketed with SPF 50 or higher, provided the advertised level of UV protection. Four products had an actual SPF between 1.2 and 1.6, offering virtually no protection. Two others performed significantly worse than claimed, while three contained a hormone-disrupting UV filter recently banned in the EU.

“We have tested sunscreens for many years, but we have never seen products that protect so poorly,” said Stine Müller, project manager at the Danish Consumer Council Think Chemicals.

Müller warned that using such ineffective sunscreens risks severe sunburn and increases the likelihood of skin cancer. She advised consumers to purchase recognized brands from Danish or European retailers to ensure proper protection.

“It is not the consumer’s responsibility to figure this out,” she said, noting that online marketplaces lack the same accountability as EU-based sellers.

Christel Schaldemose, a Danish MEP, called the findings shocking but not surprising, citing broader issues with non-compliance on these platforms. She emphasized the need for stricter EU regulations to hold online marketplaces accountable, with potential fines or market access restrictions for violations.

An EU reform set to take effect in 2028 will impose greater responsibility on online platforms, but Schaldemose hopes for earlier legislative action.

DR reported that Temu, Shein, and AliExpress had not responded to requests for comment.