Twenty-five percent of 800 tested sunscreens are effective at protecting your skin without the use of potentially harmful ingredients , according to the 2012 Sunscreen Guide released Wednesday by the Environmental Working Group . `` The results are slightly better than previous years , but it continues to surprise us that we can recommend such few products , '' said Nneka Leiba , an Environmental Working Group senior analyst . To make the watchdog group 's safe list , sunscreens must be free of oxybenzone , retinyl palmitate ( a type of vitamin A ) , not have SPF above 50 and protect against UVA and UVB sunrays . Toxic ingredients ? The Environmental Working Group says 56 % of beach and sport sunscreens contain the chemical oxybenzone . The primary function of oxybenzone is to absorb ultraviolet light , but some research shows oxybenzone can be absorbed through the skin . The Environmental Working Group and other toxicology experts believe that oxybenzone is linked to hormone disruption and potentially to cell damage that may lead to skin cancer . The American Academy of Dermatology says oxybenzone is safe . `` Oxybenzone is one of the few FDA-approved ingredients that provides effective broad spectrum protection from UV radiation , and has been approved for use since 1978 , '' said Dr. Daniel M. Siegel , president of the academy . The Food and Drug Administration has approved oxybenzone in sunscreen for use on children older than 6 months . `` We will continue to push for better options every year . We 're trying to fill the gap where the FDA has failed , '' said Leiba . The Environmental Working Group also warns consumers to avoid retinyl palminate . Government-funded studies have found that this particular type of vitamin A may increase risk of skin cancer when used on sun-exposed skin . However , these reports have been in mice and evidence has been inconclusive for humans . `` Consumers get frustrated when there are no alternatives , but the point of this is that you do n't have to be completely disheartened , because there are products on the market that do n't contain these chemicals , '' said Leiba . The Environmental Working Group report found that fewer sunscreens - about 25 % - contain retinyl palmitate , compared to 33 % in last year 's study . The Environmental Working Group says this ingredient does not make sunscreen more effective , and until definitive research is available , consumers should avoid sunscreen products containing retinyl palminate . Broad spectrum . Most dermatologists agree with the Environmental Working Group 's recommendation that consumers use products labeled broad spectrum . Broad spectrum means the product protects against both UVB rays that cause sunburns and also UVA radiation that causes premature skin damage and aging . `` Evidence has shown the best sunscreens are the ones that block UVB and UVA , '' said Dr. Ariel Ostad , a clinical assistant professor in the department of dermatology at New York University Medical Center , and not affiliated with the Environmental Working Group report . `` The majority of these companies that market sunscreen products , they try to make people more aware of the SPF . '' Last year , the FDA announced tighter regulations on how manufacturers label products . The changes , aimed to cut down on consumer confusion , require sunscreen labels to identify if they provide broad spectrum coverage on the front label . Brands also wo n't be able to claim products as sweat-proof or waterproof . However , do n't expect to see these changes on store shelves this summer . Last week the FDA announced it is giving manufacturers six additional months from their original deadline to meet the new requirements . Look for the new labeling in December . Numbers game . The Environmental Working Group said consumers should not purchase sunscreens with SPF greater than 50 . SPF ( sun protection factor ) works by absorbing , reflecting or scattering the sun 's rays on the skin . `` It is very misleading to put high SPF numbers on labels because it gives consumers a false sense of security and does n't offer a lot more protection , '' Leiba said . They are right . While SPF 85 may sound like a lot more protection than SPF 30 , the higher the number does n't always give a high return . Studies show that sunscreen with SPF 15 can block about 93 % of all incoming UVB rays . SPF 30 blocks 97 % . SPF 50 blocks 98 % . `` The protective factors plateau from there . A product with SPF 100+ blocks about 99.1 percent of the UVB rays , '' Ostad said . `` You do n't really need a high number . They end up being expensive and do n't offer more protection than SPF 50 . '' Keep in mind , SPF protects only against UVB rays . Bottom Line . It 's easy to get overwhelmed with the sunscreen options on store shelves . Here 's a quick guide to find the best products to protect your family from the sun : . -- Use a sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15 and a maximum of SPF 50 ; . -- Make sure labels list UVA and UVB ( or broad spectrum protection ) ; . -- Avoid products containing oxybenzone and retinyl palminate if you 're concerned about potentially toxic chemicals ; . -- Choose lotions versus spray sunscreens for a more evenly distributed protection . Remember to apply at least 2 ounces of lotion ( about a shot glass full ) and reapply often . The sun breaks down the ingredients in sunscreen that protect your skin . Experts recommend reapplying every two hours , or after swimming or heavy sweating .
Environmental Working Group tests hundreds of beach and sport sunscreens . 56 % of sunscreens contain the chemical oxybenzone , group says . The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has warned consumers to avoid using any product containing oxybenzone. The America Academy of Dermatology maintains that oxybenzone is safe .