Sunscreen Reform Victory
Thank You for Taking Action!
Thank you for teaming up with the Skin Cancer Foundation in advocating for the passage of the SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act, giving Americans access to new sunscreen ingredients to prevent skin cancer and save lives.
Great news: The legislation was signed into law on November 13, 2025, as part of the reauthorization of the Over-the-Counter Monograph User Fee Act (OMUFA). The sunscreen reforms included in the reauthorization will:
- Require the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish clearer, more flexible standards for testing new sunscreen ingredients and harmonize its approach with international testing standards, to ensure the availability of a broader range of safe, effective sunscreens.
- Direct the FDA to approve new sunscreen ingredients, and evaluate ingredients already approved for use around the world. This gives the American public greater access to new and advanced ingredients to protect their skin and lower skin cancer risk.
Why it’s important: Even though skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., sunscreen innovation has been at a standstill for decades. Before sunscreen reform was passed, America had fallen behind the rest of the world regarding access to a broad range of safe, effective ingredients.
The passage of sunscreen reform is a BIG win in the fight against skin cancer.
Thank you again for taking action on this historic advocacy effort!
More than 3,500 people signed the letter of support for the SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act. The Skin Cancer Foundation sent the letter, including all signatures, to the members of the Congressional Skin Cancer Caucus, as the package moved to a vote.
Check this page for further updates.
Background:
In June, 2025, the bipartisan SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act (H.R. 3686) was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by co-chairs of the Congressional Skin Cancer Caucus, Representatives John Joyce, M.D. (R-PA), a dermatologist and melanoma survivor, Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Dave Joyce (R-OH) and Deborah Ross (D-NC).
This bill aims to modernize the regulatory process for over-the-counter sunscreen ingredients, by quickening the approval of new and effective sunscreen options for sun protection and skin cancer prevention.
With skin cancer cases on the rise, these sunscreen reform provisions are crucial:
- The estimated number of new melanoma cases diagnosed in 2025 is projected to increase by 5.9 percent.
- Exposure to UV radiation from the sun is a major cause of most skin cancers.
- 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70.
- Over 5 million Americans are treated for skin cancer each year at a cost of over $8 billion.
- More than 2 people die of skin cancer in the U.S. every hour.
Americans deserve continued innovation in sun protection. More options make it easier for the public to find sunscreens that they like and will use on a daily basis. The SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act is a step in the right direction in our battle against the world’s most common cancer.
We Support the SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act
The Honorable John Joyce, MD
The Honorable Debbie Dingell
The Honorable Dave Joyce
The Honorable Deborah Ross
United States Congress
Washington, District of Columbia
United States
Dear Members of Congress,
On June 3, 2025, consumers in America were given new hope for more safe, effective sunscreen options to prevent sun damage and skin cancer, with the introduction of H.R. 3686, the SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act. Thank you for taking a leadership role to prevent skin cancer and save lives.
We strongly support your intended goal to streamline the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) review process for new sunscreen ingredients. Although the bill was not included in the House version of the over-the-counter monograph user fee (OMUFA) reauthorization, the Senate HELP Committee unanimously passed its OMUFA package that included the SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act. If the House accepts the sunscreen provisions included in Senate version, it will be a significant step in providing more options for sun protection and skin cancer prevention that will ultimately save lives.
More people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70, and every hour, two people die from the disease. The good news is that skin cancer is highly preventable, with a complete sun protection strategy that includes daily sunscreen use.
Yet, as skin cancer rates continue to rise across the U.S., sunscreen innovation has been at a standstill for decades.
There is no better time than now for improved access to new safe and effective sunscreen options. We have gathered more than 3,000 signatures in this letter of support, from skin cancer survivors, warriors and advocates, urging representatives to agree to include the Senate's SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act provisions in the OMUFA reauthorization. Thank you for your commitment to skin cancer prevention and the health and safety of all Americans.
Sincerely,
The Skin Cancer Foundation