Not all are good: Öko-Test tested 25 children's sun creams
27.5.2024
Translation: machine translated
Öko-Test tested several sunscreens for children for harmful substances. The plasticiser DnHexP was detected in some of them. You can find out which of the recommended products we have in our shop here.
Reliable UV protection and no harmful ingredients: for most parents, these are the most important criteria for sun cream. Eko-Test examined 25 sun protection products with a very high sun protection factor especially for babies and children. Seven of them did not pass the test: The plasticiser DnHexP (di-n-hexyl phthalate) was found in them.
The test winners
The good news: seven of the products tested were rated "very good". These include two products especially for babies: the "Babydream Sun Spray extra sensitive 50+" from Rossman and the sun spray from DM's own brand "Babylove" for sensitive skin. The "Sundance Kids Sun Spray 50" from DM also received top marks.
The "Clean Sun Kids Sun Cream SPF 50" from Lidl, the "Nivea Sun Kids Spray 5in1" with sun protection factor 50, the "Sunozon Kids Sun Milk 50+" from Rossmann and the "Tabaluga Sun Milk for Children Sensitive 50 received a "Very Good".
UV filter contains plasticisers
Traces of the plasticiser DnHexP were found in six sun creams, with Kaufland's "Bevola Kids Sun Cream 50+" even containing larger quantities. All of these creams received the test grade "Poor":
- "Lacura Sun Kids Sun Spray SPF50+" from Aldi Süd
- "Today sun Kids sun cream sensitive 50+" from Rewe
- "Dado Sens Sun Kids sun cream 50"
- "La Roche Posay Anthelios Dermo-Pediatrics hydrating lotion 50+"
- "Ladival For Children Sun Protection Milk 50+"
- "Family sun cream" from Paediprotect
Surprisingly, in my opinion, the "family sun cream" from Paediprotect is also one of them. Products from the popular brand had previously often received top marks in reviews by Öko-Test.
Still no cause for concern
The plasticiser DnHexP has already been banned as an ingredient in cosmetics since 2019 as it is suspected of affecting fertility.
The reason for the traces of the plasticiser was the UV protection agent DHHB (short for diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate) it contains. However, the testers from Öko-Test also pointed out that the small amounts of DnHexP in the creams were still harmless. "A small child would have to be smeared with more than one kilo of the contaminated sunscreen every day to come anywhere near the level of risky absorption via the skin," the Öko-Test report states. Above all, parents should not stop protecting their children from dangerous UV radiation with sunscreen based on the results.
Plastic compounds such as synthetic polymers were also found in four of the products tested and penalised with a point deduction. Other creams were criticised for advertising with the term "coral-friendly" because they do not use substances that are considered particularly harmful to corals, but at the same time use other, no less harmless substances such as chemical UV filters.
Header image: FotoDuets/Shutterstock
A true local journalist with a secret soft spot for German pop music. Mum of two boys, a dog and about 400 toy cars in all shapes and colours. I always enjoy travelling, reading and go to concerts, too.
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