Overview
- On Thursday, independent testing of 22 children's sunscreens found DnHexP, a breakdown product tied to the UV filter DHHB, only in trace amounts in one product while 13 products earned Öko-Test’s top rating.
- The EU set a maximum contamination limit of 1 mg per kg for DnHexP that takes effect January 2027, and current lab results indicate many manufacturers are already meeting that cap.
- Laboratory checks also revealed quality differences: several creams failed to reach their advertised sun protection factor and multiple products had labeling problems such as missing nano notices or misleading 'fragrance-free' claims.
- Experts stress that real-world protection depends on behavior: apply about 2 mg per cm² of skin (roughly 20–34 g for an adult), reapply after swimming or about every three hours, and favour shade and tightly woven clothing over sunscreen alone.
- Regulatory probes that began with DnHexP findings in 2024 triggered new testing standards and industry changes, and consumers should still watch expiry, heat-damaged bottles and interactions with insect repellents that can reduce effectiveness.