Australians have been told to consider ‘trying out a different product’ after the government’s medicine regulator announced that 20 sunscreens have been using the same flawed formula as a product that was pulled from the shelves last month.
Popular sunscreen brand Ultra Violette recalled its Lean Screen SPF Mattifying Zinc Sunscreen from sale after testing by consumer group CHOICE in June found some products labelled SPF50+ actually had an SPF of just 4.
Ultra Violette initially defended the integrity of its SPF testing, but reversed its position last month. On Tuesday night, the Therapeutic Goods Administration named 20 additional sunscreens as containing the same base formula as Lean Screen.
The sunscreens – produced by 16 different brands – included three Ethical Zinc Daily Wear sunscreens, an MCo Beauty sunscreen and a Naked Sundays variant, Collagen Glow Mineral Sunscreen.
The Daily Mail has published the full list at the bottom of this story.
In a statement CHOICE CEO Ashley de Silva said: ‘It’s highly concerning to see the TGA confirm that 20 sunscreens using the same base formula as Ultra Violette’s Lean Screen are unlikely to meet their SPF claims.’
Preliminary testing has shown the base formula itself is unlikely to have an SPF rating greater than 21, rather than 50+.
‘If you’re currently using one of the sunscreens that shares this base formula, the TGA is advising you to consider trying out a different product as we head into hotter months,’ Mr de Silva said.
Sunscreen brand Ultra Violette found itself at the centre of controversy in June when CHOICE found one of its SPF50+ products had an actual rating of just 4
Two of the products – Aspect Sun SPF50+ Physical Sun Protection and Found My Skin Tinted Face/Body Cream
‘If you’ve been burnt while using one of these products – or any sunscreen – consider reporting your experience to the TGA.’
The new findings have already sparked responses from some sunscreen brands, including Naked Sundays, which said it would adopt any new testing requirements the TGA imposes.
‘As soon as industry-wide Australian testing discrepancies came to light, Naked Sundays commissioned additional independent SPF testing for all products as part of our commitment to transparency,’ they said.
‘Supply of one Australian-made variant of Collagen Glow sold in Australia made by one Australian manufacturer was paused for supply while we gathered more data.
‘Preliminary results for Collagen Glow have now been provided to the TGA, confirming our variant provides high sun protection, poses no concern, and we will await further guidance from the regulator.’
In June, CHOICE revealed that 16 out of 20 Australian sunscreens it tested failed to meet the SPF claims on their labels, sparking widespread headlines. Those singled out included big brands such as the Cancer Council, Bondi Sands, Coles and Woolworths.
READ MORE: I’m a scientist with a PhD in chemistry – this is what Australians need to know about the bombshell sunscreen SPF study
READ MORE: Distraught co-founder of Aussie sunscreen brand labelled as having the WORST SpF50+ rating breaks her silence with stunningly personal message
READ MORE: Further sunscreens are pulled from the shelves after alarm
Sunscreens with the same base formula as Ultra Violette singled out by the TGA:
Aspect Sun SPF50+ Physical Sun Protection
Aspect Sun SPF50+ Tinted Physical Sun Protection
Aesthetics Rx Ultra Protection Sunscreen Cream
New Day Skin Good Vibes Sunscreen SPF50+
New Day Skin Happy Days Sunscreen SPF50+
Allganics Light Sunscreen SPF50+
Beauti-FLTR Lustre Mineral SPF50+
Found My Skin SPF 50+ Tinted Face/Body Cream
Ethical Zinc Daily Wear Light Sunscreen
Ethical Zinc Daily Wear Tinted Facial Sunscreen (Dark)
Ethical Zinc Daily Wear Tinted Facial Sunscreen (Light)
Endota Mineral Protect SPF50 Sunscreen
We are Feel Good Inc Mineral Sunscreen SPF50+
GlindaWand The Fountain of Youth Environmental Defence Cream SPF50+
Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF50+
Ultra Violette Velvet Screen SPF50 (product export only – not available in Australia)
People4Ocean SPF 50+ Mineral Bioactive Shield Lightly Tinted Cream
McoBeauty SPF50+ Mineral Mattifying Sunscreen
Naked Sundays Collagen Glow Mineral Sunscreen
Outside Beauty & Skincare SPF 50+ Mineral Primer
Salus SPF50+ Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad Spectrum
