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Magazine article
Does my sunscreen actually work?
The Conversation
02/10/2025
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
It’s been a tough time for sunscreens recently. Earlier this year, testing on behalf of consumer organisation Choice found several sunscreens were not delivering the sun protection you’d expect. One product claimed a sun protection factor (SPF) of 50+, but when tested had an SPF as low as 4.
This triggered a series of events. Some sunscreen manufacturers paused or recalled their products. Other recalls have followed.
Media investigations have alleged issues related to how sunscreens are tested and formulated.
This week, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) said several sunscreens share a “base formula” made by a single manufacturer. It said preliminary testing had shown some sunscreens made with this base formula may be as low as SPF 4.
It’s no wonder consumers are confused about whether their sunscreens actually work.
Here’s what we know about this week’s TGA announcement and what could be behind it.
Details
- Title
- Does my sunscreen actually work?
- Creators
- Mike Climstein - Southern Cross UniversityMichael Stapelberg - Southern Cross UniversityNedeljka Rosic - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- The Conversation
- Publisher
- The Conversation Media Group Ltd
- Identifiers
- 991013318228502368
- Academic Unit
- Human Sciences; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Magazine article