Cheap Sunscreens from Temu, Shein Fail Safety Tests

Consumer organizations in Belgium and France have published alarming test results showing that nine out of ten low-cost sunscreens purchased from Chinese e-commerce platforms Temu, Shein, and AliExpress are non-compliant with European safety regulations. The findings, released by Testachats in Belgium and Que Choisir Ensemble in France, reveal that several products offer virtually no sun protection despite claiming SPF 50 or higher, while others contain ingredients banned in the European Union.

The Investigations

Belgian consumer organization Testachats ordered 15 sunscreens labeled SPF 50 or higher from AliExpress, Temu, and Shein. Of the ten products that were actually delivered, three were immediately disqualified from testing because they contained 4-MBC (4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor), a UV filter that has been banned in the EU since May 1, 2026, due to concerns about endocrine disruption and potential DNA damage. The remaining seven products were sent for laboratory analysis.

Meanwhile, French consumer association Que Choisir Ensemble conducted a parallel investigation testing ten sunscreens from the same three platforms, with similarly devastating results.

Alarming Lab Results

Of the seven products tested by Testachats, only one — OUHOE Sunscreen SPF 50, sold on AliExpress and Temu — provided adequate UV protection. However, even this product contained ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (OMC), a potential endocrine disruptor that experts recommend avoiding.

Four out of seven tested products offered virtually no UV protection at all. Laboratory measurements recorded SPF values between 1.2 and 1.6, despite packaging claiming protection levels of SPF 50 to SPF 90 or higher. As Que Choisir Ensemble reported, “In our lab we measured a factor of 2 or less. We have never seen anything like this.”

According to La Libre Belgique, the three products from AliExpress that were immediately disqualified — Bioaqua Rice Raw Pulp 50+, Laikou UV Defense Daily Sunscreen 50+, and Sadoer Protection Isolation Sunscreen 50+ — all contained 4-MBC, a substance the European Commission classified as a potential endocrine disruptor capable of interfering with thyroid function and hormonal balance.

Banned Ingredients and Health Risks

The presence of 4-MBC in products sold to European consumers is particularly concerning because the EU ban took full effect on May 1, 2026, meaning these products should never have been available for sale. The BAV Institut notes that Regulation (EU) No. 2024/996 removed 4-MBC from the list of approved UV filters and moved it to the list of banned substances due to health concerns, particularly its potential hormonal effects.

Beyond the banned filter, researchers also detected other problematic ingredients including OMC, propylparaben, and octocrylene in various products.

A False Economy

Perhaps most striking is that these products are not even cheaper than reliable alternatives. While the upfront prices appear low — ranging from €2.19 to €12.95 per package — the packaging sizes are often very small (15ml to 40ml). When calculated per liter, prices range from €33.25 to an astonishing €259 per liter. By comparison, Testachats notes that reliable European sunscreens that have passed rigorous testing cost approximately €30 to €40 per liter.

Platform Responses

Following the publication of the test results, Temu removed the incriminated products from its European offering. Shein and AliExpress stated they would conduct “full reviews” of similar products but provided no concrete timelines for action. As reported by HLN, none of the platforms indicated they would notify consumers who had already purchased the dangerous products.

Regulatory Action

Que Choisir Ensemble has announced it will refer the matter to ARCOM, the French audiovisual and digital regulator, and report the findings to DGCCRF, the French competition and fraud enforcement authority. Marie-Amandine Stévenin, President of Que Choisir Ensemble, stated: “Since these platforms cannot guarantee that the products on sale do not present a danger to consumers, AliExpress, Shein and Temu must simply be sanctioned and their access restricted.”

What Consumers Should Know

Testachats advises consumers not to purchase sunscreens from unknown brands on platforms such as AliExpress, Shein, or Temu. Their low price may seem attractive at first glance, but once converted to a per-liter cost, these products are not cheaper than reliable alternatives, and their use can be dangerous. Consumers using these products believing they are protected face severe risks of sunburn, skin damage, and increased skin cancer risk.

This case highlights a critical gap in consumer protection for products sold through international e-commerce platforms. As Cyrille Cormier, Advocacy Director of Que Choisir Ensemble, warned: “Nothing says these products won’t reappear under another brand. Because these are products that are not traceable.” The question remains whether the EU’s regulatory framework can keep pace with the rapid influx of products from global online marketplaces.