Australians rely on sunscreen as a frontline defence against our country’s intense UV radiation, but recent reports have raised serious concerns about the reliability of SPF claims.

Contact sat down with Professor Monika Janda, Director of the UQ Centre for Health Services Research, to cast some sunlight on whether you can still trust the sunscreen products on the shelves, what regulators are doing to address these issues and why sunscreen remains critical to your sun safety.

She also shares practical steps you can take to stay protected and maintain confidence in your sun care routine.

Can we still trust the sunscreen products available in Australia right now?

Yes, you can trust the sunscreen products available on shelves. Here's why.

Sun protection factor (SPF) is a measure of how well a sunscreen protects the skin from the UV rays. These rays are the kind responsible for sunburn and are a major contributor to skin cancer.

The higher the SPF, the more this UV radiation is blocked. For example, an SPF 20 will filter approximately 95% of these rays, an SPF 30 will filter about 97% and an SPF 50 will filter around 98%. Recent test results published by consumer advocacy group CHOICE have revealed that 16 out of 20 popular sunscreens have failed to meet their SPF claims. While there was variation within the SPFs tested by CHOICE, all but one of the sunscreens returned an SPF of at least 24.

A lower-than-claimed SPF does not necessarily mean it won’t protect you, but it is a good reminder to apply enough sunscreen for proper coverage. When you do apply it properly, you should be confident you are using a product that is providing an adequate layer of protection – especially when applied liberally, worn in conjunction with a hat, long sleeves, and sunglasses, and if you also seek shade.

What's being done to restore consumer confidence in SPF products?

In response to the recent controversy, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has acted responsibly and with care, putting consumer safety and rights front and centre.

The TGA is working to investigate the problematic sunscreens, with a focus on inspecting the sunscreens that failed to meet the standards most severely. Most recently, the TGA reported that they have carried out a manufacturing inspection of the laboratories responsible for the poorest performing sunscreen in the CHOICE testing. Results of this investigation have highlighted that the SPF inconsistencies are likely due to variability between labs and that some testing laboratories may be more reliable than others.

Affected sunscreens, including those that share the same base formula as those sunscreens in question, have been recalled for investigations. The TGA maintains a regularly updated webpage outlining the status of this investigation and a full listing of impacted products, including those recalled. If you're not sure about a product you have at home, this is the best resource.

If we have a product at home that's been withdrawn or called into question following the bombshell CHOICE report, should we keep using it or throw it away?

The safest approach is probably to use an alternative product, preferably with SPF 50+, since the ones under investigation may not provide the claimed SPF protection, which could put your skin at risk of sunburn. It’s also important to reflect on the slip, slop, slap, seek and slide message, where sunscreen is only one of the protective measures, and consumers are encouraged to continue seeking shade, where possible and wear protective clothing, hats and sunglasses.

If you have experienced any sunburn or other skin reactions after using a listed product, you are encouraged to report it. To help real-time monitoring, TGA encourages consumers to report any safety issues they experience. To date, the TGA has reported no serious adverse events have been linked to these products.

Why is it so important to wear sunscreen? Does it really make that much of a difference?

Australia has some of the highest UV levels in the world. Sunburn is not just painful; it is also a sign of cellular damage that can result in long-term changes and increase the risk of skin cancer. Using a good SPF 50+ sunscreen helps you protect your skin from harmful sun exposure, and prevent DNA damage. Evidence shows that daily sunscreen use significantly lowers the risk of developing skin cancer like squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma, particularly in young adults. Cancer agencies therefore recommend applying sunscreen daily as a baseline protection to all exposed areas of the body when the UV index is expected to reach 3 or higher.

It is best if sunscreen is not your first line of defence, but as the icing on the cake – it should always be used in conjunction with other sun safety measures. This includes wearing protective clothing, seeking shade during peak UV hours, and wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Through combining these measures, you will have the best defence against the harmful effects of the sun’s rays.

Is there an industry-wide issue here around the efficacy of product testing when it comes to UV protection? Or just a few bad apples?

Although the CHOICE article highlighted some issues about the effectiveness of Australia’s sunscreens, recent TGA data indicates that only a handful of products and testing labs may need to strengthen their processes, not the whole industry.

Currently, sunscreen SPF testing uses human subjects. This approach is well known to be inherently prone to subjectivity and variability – an issue being discussed by experts internationally and domestically. Results can vary due to differences in individual skin reactions and observer interpretation.

The TGA and industry experts are also exploring alternative methods to improve SPF testing and enhance the reliability of results. Although the TGA is still investigating the true impact of the CHOICE testing and what this means for the sunscreens and their regulation within Australia, it remains unclear whether these alternatives would resolve confusion regarding SPF claims. Additionally, there are also discussions to determine if the TGA itself could conduct random SPF tests post approval to ensure ongoing compliance.

In short, while the current discussions are likely unsettling for the public, Australians can still have confidence that most sunscreens on the market are safe, effective and tightly regulated. Sunscreen is best used as an adjunct to other sun protective measures. Sunscreen will reduce the impact that UV radiation has on your skin and will keep it healthy and younger looking.

Images: Malte Mueller / Getty; Hartantoyudhisirga / Adobe Stock