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Sunscreen should protect you — not pose a hidden health risk. Credit: mykolasosiukin via Canva.com
The sun is already unbearable. You might grab a quick-fix bottle of sunscreen at the airport or pharmacy. This summer, a particular brand may do more harm than benefit. Spain’s Health Authority has just recalled a number of Parasol sunscreens due to contamination. The Spanish health authority has recalled several Parasol sunscreen products due to microbiological contamination. Six products were recalled in Spain. These include high SPF sprays and lotions for kids.
If you’re travelling to Spain in the summer, and you want to know what to do when you buy a contaminated sunscreen product, why it is important for travellers, and how to avoid using unsafe sunscreens, then scanning for bacteria shouldn’t be part of sun safety.
Spain Steps in
On June 21, 2025 the Spanish Medical Products Agency will (AEMPSTen sunscreen products made by ) are being recalled. Laboratoires Dermosun In France. Six of them have been confirmed to be sold in Spain. This time it’s not due to a bad print or a bad lot. The bacteria are the ones that shouldn’t exist.
- There are bottles that contain bacteria not meant to be there. If they get into your eyes or on broken skin, this could lead to serious problems.
- Health officials warn that although these products appear and smell normal, they are dangerous when used in ways other than sunscreen. For example, if reapplied to the face or used on children.
The contamination was discovered during a routine check of quality. Retailers affected were told to remove the product from the pharmacy shelves. The Spanish distributor. Dermosun Ibérica S.L., was notified that they must process returns and notify their customers.
The products were sold between March 2024 to May 2025. This means that travellers may have bought the products earlier in the year and packed them before they received the warning.
What sunscreens are affected and how to check them
Ten sunscreen products manufactured by Laboratoires DermosunSix of the products were sold in Spain directly. The affected products are:
- Parasol Sensitive 50+ Spray
- Parasol SPF30 Lotion
- Parasol Kids Spray SPF50+
- Parasol Anti-Ageing Face Cream
- Parasol Lotion SPF 50+
- Parasol Bronzant Tan Accelerator spray
What is the best way to check for sunscreen?
- Check at the bottom or near the barcode. If the batch begins with 01 to 14 or 90 to 92 stop using it immediately and follow the steps for return.
- If the product number is 01 to 14, or 90 to 92 then stop using it immediately and follow all return instructions.
- These batches have been sold between March 2020 and May 2025. They were also sold just before the peak summer period.
Why it matters to tourists
If they are not in English, tourists arriving in Spain in the summer may not notice local recalls. Parasol might not be a globally recognized name, but in Spain, it is quite common. It’s especially important if you don’t speak the language. It is widely known in parts of France and Spain, particularly tourist-heavy areas.
This means that holidaymakers are more likely to buy one than locals. Because sunscreen is so safe, few people read the fine print.
As Spain enters its peak UV season, the public is more concerned about sunburns than bacteria. This recall is important because it’s a safety issue.
This is a good reminder that even everyday purchases can be fraught with unknown risks. So, if you plan to visit Spain in the summer months, make sure you bring along your trusted sunscreen.
Always buy from established pharmacies and not from tourist kiosks. Check for recalls on seasonal products like SPF eyedrops and even skincare.
Is it part of a trend that is growing?
The sun protection products in Europe and the US are under increasing scrutiny due to issues such as false SPF ratings and chemical instability.
Demand for quick, affordable and easy to apply sunscreens is increasing as the heatwaves get more intense and sun exposure grows. However, some suppliers overlook quality checks.
Parasol’s situation is more serious because there is a real risk of infection. The majority of official notices in Spanish are issued by AEMPS, regional agencies, or other government agencies.
Unless they stumble upon local news reports, travellers would never be aware of the danger.
Don’t just assume that the items on the shelf are safe. Check the label.
