Sun creams are a dime a dozen. The manufacturers advertise not only with water resistance, but also with caring ingredients for an even complexion and radiant skin. But not all products can keep this promise.
Particularly surprising: In the test, the cheap own brands of discounters and drugstores performed “very well”. The experts even advise against expensive branded products. While ÖKO-TEST focuses primarily on harmful ingredients in the evaluation, Stiftung Warentest focuses on the manufacturer’s information, such as the protection factor. Our partners, AllesBeste, on the other hand, subjected the creams to a practical test in the hot sun in Madrid.
There may be some differences in the test results. For example, while Garnier fails ÖKO-TEST with a grade of 6, another Garnier product convinces with AllesBeste as a test winner. But one thing is consistent with almost all results: you don’t have to spend a lot of money for a top sunscreen.
For a better overview, we will show you the winners and losers of the sunscreens in the test by Stiftung Warentest, ÖKO-TEST and AllesBeste below.
Sunscreen: Test winners & losers at Stiftung Warentest, ÖKO-TEST & AllesBeste
Stiftung Warentest
At Stiftung Warentest, dm’s own brand Sundance Sensitiv sun balm for around 3.50 euros (see dm) took first place. It’s not the only cream from dm that scores “very good”, the classic version of Sundance sun milk also claims “very good”. The Müller Lavozon sun milk is good and also cheap for around 2.50 euros (see Müller). Some of the more expensive competitors did significantly worse: Vichy hyaluron sunscreen, Lavera sunspray and Biosolis sunspray brought up the rear in the test. The products undercut the specified protection factor and overall score “inadequate”.
> For detailed purchase advice from Stiftung Warentest
ECO TEST
At ÖKO-TEST the result is similarly frightening. However, well-known brands fail here for other reasons: the laboratory tested all sunscreens with the UV filter octocrylene for the decomposition product benzophenone. The probably carcinogenic substance could be detected in all seven of these sun creams. Johnson&Johnson’s Piz Buin Moisturizing Ultra Light Sun Spray SPF 30 even contains an increased amount of it. L’Oréal’s Garnier Ambre Solaire Sun Protection Milk SPF 30 and Galderma’s Cetaphil Sun Daylong Liposomal Lotion SPF 30 are also affected and fail the test with a grade of 6. dm is convincing again, this time with its own brand Alverde.
> To the detailed test at ÖKO-TEST
All the best
In the practical test by AllesBeste, Garnier scored again. Although the Ambre Solaire Sensitive Expert+ 50+ also stands out negatively due to the chemical filter octocrylene, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The cream is easy to smear, leaves no white film and is at least perfume-free. With a price of around 9 euros (view at Amazon) the cream is a bit more expensive, but AllesBeste can also recommend cheap sun protection. These also include the Lavozon sun milk from Müller and the Ombra Sun sun lotion SPF 50+ Ultra Sensitive from Aldi.
> To the detailed test at AllesBeste