Six sunscreens pulled from Australian market as investigation into SPF testing continues

Three more Australian sunscreen brands have paused sales of products amid concerns SPF tests can’t be trusted, bringing the total number taken off the market to six.

As of Thursday, sales of Outside Beauty & Skincare’s SPF 50+ Mineral Primer, Found My Skin’s FACE Tinted Mineral SPF 50+ with Kakadu Plum, and Endota’s Mineral Protect SPF50 and Natural Clear Zinc SPF50+ have been paused. The move followed a June report from consumer watchdog Choice that 16 of the 20 sunscreens it tested did not meet the SPF level advertised on the product’s label.

“With the utmost safety and concern for our customers, we have momentarily removed the SPF 50+ Mineral Primer from our website while we investigate the efficacy and stability of this product,” Outside Beauty & Skincare said in a statement on its website, clarifying that the product had not been recalled and the Therapeutic Goods Administration had not notified it to recall it.

Found My Skin and Endota, in statements to their own websites, echoed the sentiment, reassuring customers the pausing of sales was precautionary while they awaited testing results.

Skincare brand Naked Sundays paused sales of its Collagen Glow Mineral Sunscreen on Monday as a precautionary measure pending further testing. Ultra Violette has issued a complete recall of its Lean Screen SPF 50+ after the product was found by Choice to have an SPF level of four.

“In consultation with the TGA, we are performing a recall for all batches of Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF50+ because of inconsistent SPF levels shown in independent testing,” Ultra Violette said in a statement, alongside refund information on its website.

“We are deeply sorry that one of our products has fallen short of the standards we pride ourselves on and that you have come to expect of us.”

Outside Beauty & Skincare, Found My Skin, Endota and Naked Sundays’ products were not tested by Choice. Ultra Violette was, and its Lean Screen SPF 50+ was the worst performer out of the 20 sunscreens tested.

Medicines regulator the Therapeutic Goods Administration on Thursday confirmed it is investigating a number of sunscreen products and their sponsor companies – who often formulate multiple base formulations for an array of brands – over SPF claims.

“The TGA is investigating a selection of sunscreens and whether their sponsors hold sufficient evidence to support their SPF claims. The TGA is also aware that it is common practice for different sunscreen products to share the same or similar base formulations,” it said in a statement.

What happens now?

Choice director of campaigns Rosie Thomas confirmed the consumer watchdog had yet to receive a formal update from the TGA regarding its investigation into Choice’s findings. Choice submitted a complaint about SPF claims on sunscreen products to the TGA in June.

“As we head into warmer months, with higher UV levels, consumers need to know they can be confident in the sunscreen they’re using to protect themselves from Australia’s harsh sun,” Thomas said.

“We are urgently asking the TGA to provide an update on their investigation – particularly on the concerning number of sunscreens that have been withdrawn from sale in the past few days.”

In a statement issued on August 21, the TGA confirmed its investigation into Choice’s report, published in June, was ongoing.

“Given Australia’s high incidence of skin cancer, the TGA reiterates that using sunscreen is an important measure to prevent the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation.

“This should be combined with seeking shade, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, wearing protective clothing and using sunglasses.”

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