EWG's 19th Sunscreen Guide: Only 1 in 5 Passed. Don't Panic.
Headlines say only 20% of sunscreens 'made the cut' in EWG's 2025 guide — here's what that number really means for the bottle in your cabinet.
EWG's 2025 guide assessed 2,204 SPF products and found only 498 met its criteria (about 80% fell short); mineral sunscreens reached 43% of products reviewed, up from 17% in 2007, while 36% still listed undisclosed 'fragrance.'
EWG frames its low pass rate as a call for better formulation and disclosure rather than a verdict that most sunscreens are unsafe, noting in particular the rise of SPF 'boosters' it believes can inflate test numbers.
Questions we get a lot
Does 'only 20% passed' mean my sunscreen is unsafe?
Not necessarily. EWG rates against its own stricter criteria, so a product that didn't make the list can still meet FDA requirements and provide real protection. Of 2,204 products, 498 met EWG's bar. Treat the guide as one opinionated screen, not the final word on safety.
What are SPF 'boosters' and why did EWG flag them?
Boosters such as butyloctyl salicylate (BOS) are additives EWG says can raise a product's measured SPF in testing without genuinely improving broad-spectrum protection. The claim prompted industry pushback. It's an area of active debate rather than settled science.
Are mineral sunscreens becoming more common?
Yes. EWG reported mineral sunscreens reached 43% of products reviewed in 2025, up from 17% in 2007. The shift reflects consumer demand and EWG's own preference for zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Meanwhile about 36% of products still listed undisclosed fragrance.
r/SkincareAddiction: 'My favorite SPF didn't make EWG's list — does that actually mean it's bad, or is EWG just super strict?'