The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers to avoid sunscreens sold in whipped, mousse, or foam forms, saying these products are not approved and could be unsafe.
The agency recently sent warning letters to several companies, including Supergoop!, Vacation Inc., Kalani Sunwear, Botao Baby, and Tizo Skin, for marketing sunscreens in these unconventional formats.
“These products might not be effective,” the FDA said in a post on X, emphasizing that whipped or mousse sunscreens have not been approved as safe or reliable for preventing sunburn or reducing skin cancer risk.
The agency classifies these products as drugs because they are designed to protect against harmful UV rays, yet they have not received the necessary FDA approval.
The FDA also raised concerns about packaging. According to FoxBusiness, many whipped and mousse sunscreens are sold in containers resembling food items, which could lead to accidental ingestion, especially by children.
Vacation Inc., for instance, markets its “Classic Whip Sunscreens” as “dessert for your skin,” prompting the FDA to label the products as misbranded.
“Packaging drug products in containers that resemble food containers commonly used by adults and children can mislead consumers into mistaking the products for food,” the agency warned.
FDA Issues Warning on Supergoop! Mousse Sunscreen
Supergoop! received a similar warning for its “Play SPF 50 Body Mousse.”
The company told CBS MoneyWatch it is working to resolve what it described as a “product labeling” matter with the FDA and remains committed to maintaining high standards of safety and efficacy, NY Post said.
Kalani Sunwear temporarily pulled its mousse-format sunscreen from its U.S. website to comply with regulations, while Botao Baby and Tizo Skin have not yet responded to inquiries.
The FDA treats sunscreens like over-the-counter drugs, which means they have strict rules about how they can be sold.
Right now, only lotions, creams, gels, oils, pastes, butters, ointments, and sticks are considered safe and effective.
Sunscreens in mousse, foam, or whipped forms need separate FDA approval, and none of the ones on the market have it yet.
Back in 2019, the FDA updated its sunscreen guidelines to reflect the latest science, including rules about active ingredients, SPF limits, broad-spectrum protection, and allowed forms.
The Skin Cancer Foundation supports these rules, emphasizing that ongoing review is important as new UV filters and application methods come out.
For now, consumers should read sunscreen labels carefully and steer clear of mousse, foam, or whipped products until they get FDA approval.
Originally published on vcpost.com
