Consumer Reports Releases 2025 Sunscreen Recommendations After Testing 51 Products
Consumer Reports lab-tested 51 sunscreens and released its top recommendations for 2025, with Coppertone Water Babies lotion SPF 50 ranking as the best overall option. The testing evaluated both chemical and mineral sunscreens, with lotion formulations preferred over sprays due to better visibility of application amounts. The findings emphasize year-round sunscreen use and proper application techniques to maximize UV protection.
Consumer Reports conducted laboratory testing of 51 sunscreens to identify top-performing products for 2025. The top-ranked lotion sunscreens include Coppertone Water Babies SPF 50, La Roche-Posay Anthelios Kids SPF 50, and Supergoop! PLAY Everyday Lotion SPF 50. Consumer Reports' deputy editor Brian Vines explained that lotion sunscreens are preferred over sprays because users can see exactly how much product they're applying, reducing the risk of inhalation, particularly for children. The report distinguishes between chemical sunscreens, which work through chemical absorption, and mineral sunscreens, which create a physical barrier against UVA and UVB rays. Vines emphasized that sunscreen should be worn year-round, not just during summer months, with optimal protection occurring when applied 15-30 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied every two hours after swimming or sweating.
What's missing
The article does not discuss the cost differences between recommended products or their availability, which could affect consumer purchasing decisions. Additionally, there is limited discussion of sunscreen ingredients of concern (such as oxybenzone or octinoxate) that some consumers actively avoid.
How coverage differed
CBS News presented the Consumer Reports findings in a straightforward, informational manner focused on product recommendations and application guidance. The source did not appear to favor any particular brand or sunscreen type, presenting both chemical and mineral options neutrally.
What different sources said
- CBS NewsCenter
Consumer Reports names its top sunscreens for 2025
Related
Nancy Lieberman Joins Prostate Cancer Awareness Campaign, Urges Men to Request PSA Testing
WNBA legend Nancy Lieberman has partnered with the Prostate Cancer Foundation and others to promote prostate cancer screening, specifically encouraging men to request PSA (prostate-specific antigen) tests during routine blood work. Lieberman's advocacy was motivated by the death of her former teammate Michael Ray Richardson from prostate cancer and the experiences of other athletes who battled the disease. The campaign aims to increase early detection and survival rates by making PSA testing a standard part of men's healthcare conversations.
NMC Staff Vacancies Causing Delays in Medical Admissions, Supreme Court Told
A Supreme Court-appointed amicus curiae has reported that persistent vacancies at India's National Medical Commission (NMC) are causing recurring delays in medical admissions, approvals, and inspections. The report notes that six years after the NMC Act came into force, multiple statutory positions remain unfilled, disrupting academic calendars and leaving students as the primary victims. The delays have practical consequences, with 2025-26 admissions extending months beyond prescribed timelines and medical seats remaining unfilled due to incomplete approval processes.
Study Reveals Two Distinct Pathways in Recurring IDH-Mutant Gliomas
Researchers have identified two distinct pathways through which IDH-mutant gliomas recur and develop treatment resistance in patients. IDH-mutant glioma is an incurable brain tumor primarily affecting adults in their 30s and 40s that initially responds to treatment but typically recurs. Understanding these recurrence pathways could help develop strategies to prevent treatment resistance and improve outcomes for glioma patients.