The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is reviewing the SPF claims of more sunscreens on the market, all using the same base formulation, and says it has "significant concerns" about a United Kingdom-based testing laboratory connected to many of the products.
The announcement on Wednesday follows revelations in June that at least 16 popular sunscreen products had failed to meet their advertised SPF claims, according to consumer advocacy group Choice.
Ultra Violette's Lean Screen SPF 50+ was the worst performer, returning an average SPF protection of four. The product has since been voluntarily recalled, and the company has cancelled Lean Screen's listing on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.
The TGA found the base formulation used in Lean Screen, developed by the Australian company Wild Child Laboratories, is also present in several other sunscreens available on the market.
"The preliminary testing indicates that this base formulation is unlikely to have an SPF greater than 21," the TGA statement said.
The regulator stated Wild Child Laboratories has ceased the supply and manufacturing of the base formulation, with the TGA recommending people using the affected sunscreens consider using an alternative until its review is completed.
"The TGA is considering whether to take regulatory action with respect to those sunscreens," it said.
Which sunscreens are affected?
The sunscreens added to the list are:
- Aspect Sun SPF 50+ Physical Sun Protection, and Tinted Physical Sun Protection
- Aesthetics Rx Ultra Protection Sunscreen Cream
- New Day Skin Good Vibes Sunscreen SPF50+, and Happy Days Sunscreen SPF 50+rs
- Allganics Light Sunscreen SPF 50+
- Beauti-FLTR Lustre Mineral SPF 50+
- Found My Skin SPF 50+ Tinted Face/Body Cream
- Ethical Zinc Daily Wear Light Sunscreen, Tinted Facial Sunscreen (Dark), and Tinted Facial Sunscreen (Light)
- Endota Mineral Protect SPF50 Sunscreen
- We are Feel Good Inc Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+
- GlindaWand The Fountain of Youth Environmental Defence Cream SPF 50+
- UltraViolette Velvet Screen SPF50
- People4Ocean SPF 50+ Mineral Bioactive Shield Lightly Tinted Cream
- McoBeauty SPF 50+ Mineral Mattifying Sunscreen
- Naked Sundays Collagen Glow Mineral Sunscreen
- Outside Beauty & Skincare SPF 50+ Mineral Primer
- Salus SPF 50+ Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad Spectrum
All companies have been notified, and many have already voluntarily recalled their products and their TGA registration.
The TGA said it is aware many products have added fragrances or tints to their base formulation, which may affect the SPF rating. Despite this, the TGA say they remain concerned that the base formulation may not provide the SPF it claims.
SPF testing company questioned
The TGA has also questioned the reliability of UK-based testing company Princeton Consumer Research Corp (PCR Corp), which many of the affected companies relied on for their SPF testing.
PCR Corp advertises itself as a "global leader in the product testing industry, specialising in safety testing, efficacy testing and acceptability trials".
SPF testing must be performed on at least 10 different people. The SPF is calculated from the average of the SPF from each valid test. Therefore, for a product to claim an SPF level of 50+, the average SPF must be at least 60.
The TGA said it expressed its concerns to PCR Corp and had not received a response.
