Popular sunscreen brands test well below their advertised SPF

Several popular sunscreens packaged as SPF* 50-plus offer much lower levels of protection than advertised, concerning new research has found.

The study by consumer group Choice shows labels on a large number of sunscreen products could possibly be giving wearers the false impression they are better protected from the sun’s harmful rays, when skin cancer ranks as the largest number of cancers diagnosed in Australia each year.

Researchers were so shocked by their findings that they asked the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to test the products as well.

Run by the Federal Government, the TGA is responsible for regulating all medicines, medical products and sunscreens that are sold in Australia.

Choice CEO Ashley de Silva said: “Currently, the TGA relies on reports provided by manufacturers to ensure the safety, quality and efficacy* of sunscreen products.

“Unfortunately, these reports may not be providing the accurate information consumers need when choosing sunscreens for themselves and their families.”

Sixteen out of 20 products analysed by Choice did not meet the SPF (sun protection factor) 50 claims, with some testing as low as factor-4.

The sunscreen that scored the lowest in the testing was Ultra Violette’s Lean Screen SPF 50+ Mattifying* Zinc Skinscreen, which costs about $52 and had an SPF low of factor-4 in Choice’s results.

“We were really shocked to see the results for Ultra Violette’s Lean Screen SPF 50+ product, so much so that we actually decided to test a different batch at a completely different lab in Germany to confirm the results,” Mr de Silva said.

“Those tests found the product had an SPF of 5 – an almost identical result to our initial* testing.”

Ultra Violette responded to the findings by saying it was “deeply committed” to its customers’ health and safety and worked only with reputable*, TGA licenced manufacturers to conduct quality release testing.

The company said Lean Screen contained 22.75 per cent zinc oxide*, which meant an SPF 4 result was “scientifically impossible” if enough of the product was applied.

The cream that rated the best in testing was the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Wet Skin Sunscreen SPF 50+, which tested far above its advertised SPF at 72.

Mecca Cosmetica To Save Body SPF 50+ Hydrating Sunscreen was also among the four rating above expectations at 51, with Cancer Council Kid Sunscreen 50+ at 52 and Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Lotion SPF 50 at 56.

Other 50+ sunscreens tested had their SPFs measure between 24 and 43.

Mr de Silva said it was important to note that this testing did not mean those sunscreens didn’t work.

“While some specific sunscreens did not meet their claimed SPF, a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or even 20 still offers a significant amount of sunscreen protection, and any sunscreen is better than none at all,” Mr de Silva said.

Three of the Cancer Council’s four sunscreens tested were found by Choice to not give the SPF 50 protection stated on the product.

The Cancer Council said it would now get these products tested by an independent international laboratory.

“Cancer Council is committed to providing high-quality, reliable sunscreen and takes SPF testing standards extremely seriously,” a spokesman said.

“SPF testing is conducted on human skin and can produce variable results between laboratories, even when the same standards are followed.”

Australian Medical Association Queensland president Dr Nick Yim was alarmed by the test results.

“Consumers have a right to expect the sunscreens they buy will perform at the advertised level,” he said

“If they can’t trust these products then they may stop buying them and not be protected from sun damage.

“We urge the Therapeutic Goods Administration to carry out detailed testing of sunscreens available on the market to get more information on which products aren’t stacking up.”

Friends Pirie Outridge and Bella McDonald were shocked to find that products from Banana Boat and Cancer Council weren’t as effective as they were labelled.

“We should be able to trust and believe these brands are being honest … it is incredibly concerning,” Ms Outridge said.

Ms McDonald, mother to 14-month-old Layla, was especially concerned for herself and her young family.

“It is worrying, when I think I am protecting myself and (Layla) and it turns out I am not really protecting her as much as I thought I was, (it) is pretty shocking,” Ms McDonald said.

POLL

GLOSSARY

• SPF: Sun Protection Factor, a measure used to describe how well a sunscreen protects against sunburn
• reputable: having a good reputation, being well thought of
• efficacy: the ability to produce a desired result
• mattifying: making your skin look less oily
• initial: first time
• zinc oxide: a mineral commonly used in sunscreen because it helps to block out UV rays

EXTRA READING
Danger! You’re not using enough sunscreen
What happens when you get sunburnt?
Why do we get wrinkly skin as we age?

QUICK QUIZ
1. Which SPF rating were the all the sunscreens that were tested advertised as being?
2. Which product had the lowest SPF result after being tested?
3. Which product had the highest result?
4. What does TGA stand for?
5. What does the TGA do?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. What would you test? 
Choice tests all kinds of different products to help people make good decisions about the products they buy. 

Choose an everyday item that most kids might use or buy. If you worked for Choice, what tests would you carry out on that item? The purpose of your testing is to make sure that the item is high quality, safe and good value for money. Write a list or plan of tests. For each test, write sentences explaining why you have chosen it.

Time: allow at least 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Design and Technologies

2. Extension
Do you know how sunscreens actually work? Brainstorm ideas, use information from the story and your research skills to find out. Use the information to design an infographic that will help other kids understand how sunscreen works and why it is so important to keep using it.

Time: allow at least 60 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Health and Physical Education, Science

VCOP ACTIVITY
Creative vocabulary
Find a bland sentence from the article to up-level. Can you add more detail and description? Can you replace any ‘said’ words with more specific synonyms?

Have you outdone yourself and used some really great vocabulary throughout your writing? Firstly, well done. Secondly, let’s ensure everyone can understand it by adding a glossary of terms. Pick three of your wow words and create a glossary for each word to explain what it means.