Nearly all sunscreens purchased from Chinese e-commerce platforms Temu, Shein and AliExpress failed to deliver their advertised sun protection, with some offering virtually none, according to a new test by the Danish Consumer Council Tænk.
Only one in seven products tested provided the level of UV protection stated on its label. Four of the seven sunscreens recorded an SPF between 1.2 and 1.6, despite being marketed with factors as high as 50 or 90. Three in ten products also contained an endocrine-disrupting UV filter that is banned in the European Union.
The Danish Health Authority recommends a minimum SPF of 30. The consumer council has urged shoppers to purchase sunscreen from established Danish or European brands rather than unverified online marketplaces.