Share and Follow
Here’s what you need to know about which products have been recalled, how products are tested in Australia, and how to protect yourself as Australia heads into the warmer months.
Which sunscreens have been recalled or placed under review?
Back in June, Choice released the results of an investigation which found 16 of 20 products from a range of popular Australian sunscreen brands failed to meet their advertised SPF claims.
It said the manufacturer had received preliminary SPF testing results for the base formulation, which indicated it was unlikely to have an SPF greater than 21. Additionally, some of the specific goods manufactured using the base formulation could have an SPF value as low as 4.
— Salus SPF 50+ Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad Spectrum
The sale of 10 products has been paused, with another eight recalled or ceasing production. Two are being reviewed.
How are sunscreens tested in Australia?
The TGA said it’s considering measures to enhance the consistency of SPF testing for all therapeutic sunscreen products in Australia.
On Tuesday, Choice CEO Ashley de Silva called on sunscreen companies to confirm which labs verified their latest SPF results.
Why is it so important to protect yourself from the sun in Australia?
Anne Cust, a professor of cancer epidemiology at The University of Sydney, said many Australians don’t realise just how strong the sun is here compared to the rest of the world.
She welcomed the TGA looking at sunscreens as there “needs to be high public confidence in sunscreens”.
How do you choose a sunscreen, and how can you ensure it’s effective?
However, Cust said while it’s important to buy a sunscreen that provides adequate protection, what can often be more important is ensuring you’re putting enough of it on and re-applying frequently enough.
It’s important to reapply sunscreen frequently as well as use other methods of sun protection, such as wearing a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Source: Getty / Liudmila Chernetska/iStockphoto
“Even with a sunscreen that is SPF50, if [people] don’t apply enough, they’re actually not getting the full SPF anyway,” Cust said.
“I think that’s more concerning than whether the SPF is 50 or 30, because there’s not actually a lot of difference in the efficacy of a sunscreen between SPF 50 and 30,” she said.
