Trendy mousse sunscreens may not actually work, US FDA warns

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The US Food and Drug Administration warned that trendy whipped sunscreens made by Supergoop! and other manufacturers don’t comply with federal laws and may not work.

“Beware of sunscreen products in mousse form because they might not be effective,” the agency told consumers in a post on X after it sent warning letters to five companies. The FDA said regulations allow for marketing sunscreen products as lotions, creams, sticks, sprays and a number of other formulations, but the rules to date don’t allow for foam or mousse.

The agency added that certain mousse sunscreens resemble whipped cream containers and may put consumers at risk if ingested. Some TikTok users have posted videos joking about eating the products.

A spokesperson for Supergoop said that the FDA warning on its mousse “is focused on product labeling and has nothing to do with its safety, effectiveness or formula.” The company is “working closely with the FDA to resolve this matter as we continue to uphold the high standards our consumers expect from us.”

In addition to Supergoop, the agency also issued warning letters to mousse sunscreen makers Vacation Inc., Fallene Ltd., K & Care Organics and Kalani Sunwear.

The FDA referred back to its social media post when asked for further comment. The four other companies that received warning notices couldn’t be reached. The letters issued by the FDA gave the companies 15 working days to reply.

The light sunscreen formulas under FDA scrutiny are sold at major retailers including Ulta Beauty Inc. and Target Corp. The products have surged in popularity recently, driven by social media hype and endorsements from celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, who has complimented Vacation’s Classic Whip SPF 30 Sunscreen Mousse. The New York Times also gave a rave review to Vacation’s product in 2023 on its Wirecutter site, calling it “fun and easy to apply.”

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