Survey reveals top performing sunscreens
Neutrogena was followed by Coppertone, Aveeno, Blue Lizard and SolBar, as recommended by professionally qualified dermatologists from locations throughout the nation.
The yearly survey, which is sponsored by sun protective clothing manufacturer Coolbar and has now been conducted during six consecutive years, questioned 1,045 dermatologists.
The dermatologists were instructed to give their opinions on which leading commercial sunscreens on sale in US retail outlets provide the most comprehensive sun protection.
“Sun screens continue to get better and better and we promote the use of them with wearing sun protective clothing,” Said Coolibar president John Barrow.
The survey was conducted amongst members at the 2008 AGM for the American Academy of Dermatologists, and in order of preference revealed the following list of brands.
1) Neutrogena
2) Coppertone
3) Aveeno
4) Blue Lizard
5) SolBar
6) Oil of Olay
7) Vanicream
8) Anthelios
9) La Roche-Posay
10) Bull-Frog
The survey comes just weeks after the Environmental Working Group (EWG) attacked a number of leading sunscreen brands sold in the US for not providing adequate UV protection or else containing potentially hazardous ingredients.
The consumer group said the top selling products were some of the worst offenders in its survey of the safety and effectiveness of 1,000 branded sunscreen products.
It said none of the 41 sunscreens produced by the market leader Coppertone met its safety and effectiveness standards.
The EWG also criticized Neutrogena and Banana Boat, which are the second and third largest brands, recommending only one of their 103 products.
Overall the organization claimed that 85 percent of sunscreen products with an SPF rating of 15 or more are potentially unsafe or ineffective.
