New EWG Study on Sunscreen and Cancer: What You Need to Know

Sunscreen is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself from the effects of long-term exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. While sun exposure is good for you in moderation, unprotected exposure can put you at risk of sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer.

In 2026, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) released its 20th Annual Guide to Sunscreens. The guide evaluated almost 2,800 sunscreen products. According to the group, around 80% of the products they reviewed rated “poorly” for skin protection or problematic ingredients.

Chief Science Officer of the EWG, David Andrews, Ph.D., highlighted that “most American sunscreens fail to deliver adequate UVA protection, critical for reducing skin cancer risk, including melanoma.”

Still, some dermatologists remind the public that the “best sunscreen” is “the one people use consistently”.

The EWG is an American non-profit organization that aims to provide an independent, science-based resource for the public to consult when selecting which sunscreen to buy. Currently, over 120 sunscreens bear the EWG Verified® mark, which requires meeting their standards for safety, ingredient transparency, as well as ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) protection.

For the past 25 years, ingredients available for use in sunscreens in the US have mostly remained the same. However, in late 2025, the FDA proposed for bemotrizinol, a UV filter used safely since 1999 in European and Asian sunscreens, to be used in the US as well, advancing sunscreen regulation in the country.

So far, studies show that bemotrizinol provides strong protection against both UVA and UVB radiation, while ensuring low skin absorption and irritation. Currently, sunscreens sold in the US rely on avobenzone to block out UVA radiation, which is not as stable as bemotrizinol. The new ingredient will provide new advantages for sunscreens sold in the US.