With skin cancer rates predicted to increase in the future in Luxembourg, the importance of legitimate sunscreens on the market is all the more important. However, the Belgian consumer organisation Testachats has recently purchased 15 sunscreens from Chinese online sales platforms AliExpress, Temu, and Shein, and found disappointing results.
Testachats bought 15 sunscreens to test whether or not the quality adheres to European regulations. Of those initial 15, five didn't arrive or came too late to be tested.
Out of the remaining 10 sunscreens, three contained the UV filter 4-MBC (4-methylbenzylidene camphor), an endocrine disruptor that can harm the thyroid and the estrogen system. These three were not tested, seeing as 4-MBC is banned in the European Union.
The remaining seven sunscreens were tested and results showed that only one obtained acceptable results. Of the six products that failed, Testachats found that four offered no protection against the sun. While the packaging indicated a sun protection factor (SPF) of 50, the test only measured 1.2 or 1.6.
On top of false SPF indications, while the product's packaging had an ingredients list, the websites did not provide any list, withholding information that might be critically important for people with allergies.
Testachats calls their findings "unprecedented and dangerous" and says that putting on regular day cream would have the same effect as these false sunscreens, in terms of protecting against the sun.
While many products have been removed from the website, some remain. Responses from the websites were generally positive but the consumer organisation still discourages from buying unknown brands on online platforms altogether, as these products are not only sold on Chinese marketplaces but also on European websites such as bol.com.
It is therefore advised to invest in brands that are recognised for their legitimacy.
