May 20, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACTS:
Tesia Williams (202) 297-1232 [email protected]
Logan Tucker, CHPA, (202) 429-3534
Experts Underscore Importance of Sunscreen Use, Calling New EWG Guide a “Misguide”
WASHINGTON – The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) and the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) today released the following joint statement in response to recent comments by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) on certain sunscreen ingredients in its 2025 Sunscreen Guide:
Our member companies that manufacture sunscreens are committed to protecting Americans from the dangers of sun overexposure with products currently on the market which contain ingredients that are safe, effective, and backed by decades of science and real-world evidence. Mineral and non-mineral sunscreens have been rigorously tested and proven to prevent skin cancer and other harmful effects of solar radiation.
While our associations actively support efforts to educate consumers about sun safety, we have significant concerns that the EWG’s Guide misleads the public, falsely suggesting that certain widely used UV filters currently available in the U.S. are unsafe compared to those available in Europe. This misinformation erodes consumer confidence in essential sun protection, which could lead to fewer people using sunscreen, increasing their risk of skin cancer and other harmful effects of UV exposure. Public health experts agree: the real danger is going without sunscreen, and we urge consumers to rely on science, not scare tactics, when making sun safety choices.
“Sunscreen products—whether made with mineral or non-mineral UV filters—are essential, life-saving tools that help protect our families from harmful UVA and UVB rays, which can lead to skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer,” said Alexandra Kowcz, PCPC Chief Scientist and Executive Vice President of Science. “The majority of U.S. families are not using sunscreen on a daily basis to protect themselves from the harmful effects of UV radiation. This report sows consumer confusion and poses a serious risk by undermining public trust in products that are scientifically proven, rigorously tested, and highly effective at protecting against harmful UV radiation.”
This point is further underscored by Steven Q. Wang, MD, Chief of Dermatology at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, author of Beating Melanoma: The Ultimate Patient Resource, and chair of The Skin Cancer Foundation Photobiology Committee, who states: “the best sunscreen is the one you are most likely to use every day that is broad spectrum with an SPF 30 or higher.”
He goes on to add that “The Skin Cancer Foundation’s recommendations are based on the best science available, and current studies indicate that both mineral and non-mineral sunscreen filters provide great options to consumers.”
According to CHPA’s Vice President of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs Dr. Jay Sirois, “There is overwhelming consensus among dermatologists, cancer organizations, and health authorities that broad-spectrum sunscreen is essential for reducing skin cancer risk by more than 40%. EWG’s misleading claims about non-mineral sunscreens encourage consumers to unnecessarily dismiss an entire category of safe and effective sun protection options. U.S. sunscreens—whether mineral or non-mineral—are carefully regulated and contain ingredients that consumers can feel confident using.”
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Founded in 1894, the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) is the leading national trade association representing the cosmetics and personal care products industry. PCPC is dedicated to promoting product safety, quality and innovation, serving as a unifying voice that champions science-based standards and responsible practices to support health, well-being and economic growth. PCPC’s global members are some of the beloved and trusted brands in beauty and personal care today, providing millions of consumers with the diverse products they rely on every day – from sunscreens, toothpaste and shampoo to moisturizer, makeup and fragrance.
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), founded in 1881, is the national trade association representing the leading manufacturers and marketers of consumer healthcare products, including over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, dietary supplements, and consumer medical devices. CHPA is committed to empowering self-care by ensuring that Americans have access to products they can count on to be reliable, affordable, and convenient, while also delivering new and better ways to get and stay healthy. Visit www.chpa.org.
