A review by Spain’s Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU) of 29 sunscreens — 14 with SPF 30 and 15 with SPF 50 or higher, including products for children — confirms they’re effective against UV radiation.
However, the study also found some contain chemical filters like octocrylene and homosalate, which are suspected endocrine disruptors.
The European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has restricted octocrylene to a maximum of 10%, and from 2025, homosalate will only be allowed in certain non-spray facial cosmetics, at up to 7.34%.
As a precaution, OCU has downgraded the rating of products with these filters, even if they fall within legal limits. This particularly affects some children’s sunscreens, such as those by Babaria and Lidl, as well as several adult products. OCU advises consumers to check ingredient labels carefully, since the same brand might sell options both with and without these chemicals.
For babies, OCU stresses that those under six months should never be exposed to direct sunlight, as no sunscreen can fully protect their sensitive skin. Even up to 12 months, sun exposure should be avoided — even with protection.
This review is backed by independent lab tests and the input of OCU’s health, nutrition, and statistics experts. The organisation, supported by over 200,000 members, has been working since 1975 to provide independent, science-based consumer guidance and to defend consumers’ rights — without profit or industry influence.
