The SPF crisis: how radical transparency in testing can rebuild consumer trust in sunscreens

Published: 27-Apr-2026 Featured companies: Eurofins Cosmetics and Personal Care
Regulatory Sun Care

Consumer confidence in sunscreen safety has eroded, but there is an opportunity for the industry to rebuild trust, explain Anna Ludwikowska and Chelcie Mejia of Eurofins

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The incidence of skin cancer is rising faster than any other type of malignancy.

According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), between two and three million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer and approximately 300,000 cases of melanoma are recorded annually.

Over recent decades, the number of melanoma cases in fair-skinned populations has increased by an average of 4-5% each year.

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The highest incidence globally is found in regions with intense UV radiation and populations predominantly consisting of individuals with fair skin phototypes.

Scientific evidence proves sunscreens are effective in reducing risk, but the industry faces a critical question: Are sunscreens safe?

Moreover, what is driving the diminishing trust in these essential products?

Behind the crisis

The primary factor undermining trust is the feeling that consumers are buying an ‘insurance policy’ that may prove invalid. This crisis is fuelled by several key factors:

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