UFC-Que Choisir Tests Sunscreens Sold on Temu and Shein: SPF Dropped to 2 and an Endocrine Disruptor Detected
Every summer, thousands of French people toss a tube of sunscreen into their shopping carts without realizing that the product they’ve chosen could end up causing them harm. In 2026, UFC-Que Choisir published the results of a study on sunscreens purchased from low-cost e-commerce platforms, and the findings are definitely worth a closer look.
A False Sense of Security Against UV Rays
Imagine this: you carefully apply sunscreen to your skin, thinking you’re protected, yet your skin remains largely exposed to UV rays. This is exactly the scenario revealed by the UFC-Que Choisir investigation. Several sunscreens tested had a protection factor listed on the packaging that did not match the actual results measured in the laboratory at all.
As a result, some products yielded truly staggering results in the tests. The organization measured levels well below those promised, with a discrepancy that goes far beyond mere inaccuracy.
“A laughably low SPF of 2—or even lower! We’ve never seen anything like this since we started testing sunscreens.”
As a result, someone who thinks they are protected by SPF 30 or SPF 50 may actually be tanning without any effective sunscreen. This type of deception is particularly serious in the summer, when the whole family spends extended periods of time in the sun.
What the laboratory analyses revealed
To conduct its investigation, UFC-Que Choisir purchased several brands of sunscreen from Temu, Shein, and AliExpress, then sent them to a laboratory for testing. The results revealed two distinct types of problems, each as concerning as the other.
First, three products contained a banned ingredient. The organization specifies that this is an endocrine disruptor that interacts with both the thyroid system and estrogen. Second, several other products had a sun protection factor much lower than the one listed on the bottle.
- Sunscreens purchased on Temu, Shein, and AliExpress were tested in a laboratory.
- Three products contained a banned ingredient classified as an endocrine disruptor.
- This endocrine disruptor interacts with the thyroid system and with estrogens.
- Some products displayed a protection rating that did not reflect reality.
- UFC-Que Choisir measured a protection index of 2, or even lower for some products.
Why Temu, Shein, and AliExpress Pose a Particular Problem
These platforms have won over millions of French consumers thanks to their very attractive prices. People buy clothing, home decor, gadgets, and now even skincare products there. However, buying a cheap phone case or a vase doesn’t carry the same risks as buying a product that’s applied to the skin every day.
This is because the sunscreens sold on these platforms are not subject to the same regulations as those available in pharmacies or drugstores. Products sold through these channels meet European standards and are subject to much stricter inspections. This is therefore a fundamental difference that the listed price does not reflect.
Furthermore, the problem isn’t limited to poor-quality formulations. Finding an endocrine disruptor in a product meant to protect the skin is a real health risk, not just a cosmetic disappointment.
Pharmacies and drugstores: channels that remain the most reliable
In light of these findings, UFC-Que Choisir clearly advises consumers to purchase sunscreen at pharmacies and drugstores. These retailers offer products that comply with European standards, with quality controls that are far more rigorous than those found on low-cost online marketplaces.
Admittedly, the temptation to cut costs before vacation is real. However, saving a few euros on a tube of sunscreen can end up costing much more if your skin remains unprotected all summer long. The price difference between sunscreen bought at a pharmacy and a questionable product bought online is small compared to the health risks involved.
How to Choose the Right Sunscreen This Summer
The bottom line is simple: knowing exactly what you’re putting on your skin and on the skin of your loved ones. An effective sunscreen must protect against UVA and UVB rays, have an SPF rating that accurately reflects its protection level, and contain no ingredients banned by European regulations. These basic criteria cannot be verified by the consumer with the naked eye.
Therefore, the wisest course of action is still to choose well-known brands available at pharmacies or drugstores, whose formulas have been verified. A cheaper product may seem tempting, but caution is advised when purchasing from a foreign platform that is not subject to European regulatory oversight.
However, that doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune. Affordable sunscreens —tested and approved by independent organizations such as UFC-Que Choisir—are available at reasonable prices in traditional retail outlets. Choosing one of these products ensures that the SPF listed on the bottle actually corresponds to the protection you receive at the beach.
The study published in July 2026 by UFC-Que Choisir reminds us that sunscreen is not a trivial product. It is a daily health practice in the summer, and it deserves as much attention as choosing a medication.
