Sunscreen recalls: How to check yours is safe and how to get a refund
Another two Aussie sunscreens have been pulled from shelves, adding to a long list of recalled or paused brands over SPF concerns. See if yours is safe and how to get a refund.
Another two Australian sunscreens have been recalled for failing to meet their advertised sun protection factor claims.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has pulled sunscreens ‘Outside Beauty and Skincare’s SPF 50+ Mineral Primer’ and ‘Salus Body & Spa’s SPF 50+ Daily Facial Sunscreen’ from shelves.
The TGA found that the base formula for both sunscreens were unlikely to have a greater SPF than 21 and was the same base formula used in other products pulled from Australian shelves.
Australians have been left horrified after a consumer watchdog found that a popular sunscreen had virtually no protection.
Tests carried out by CHOICE found that Ultra Violette’s Lean Screen product, marked as SPF 50+, in fact had an SPF of 4, sparking international backlash.
Since the revelation, 18 further products have been paused over safety concerns.
“The fallout from CHOICE’s sunscreen testing continues,” the advocacy group said.
“In the wake of that removal, several other sunscreens, thought to be based on a similar formula, were quietly removed from sale”
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is now taking action. See details below.
WHAT NOT TO USE
Ultra Violette’s Lean Screen, the first subscreen to be recalled, was made by Wild Child Laboratories using the same base formula as the below sunscreens.
These products have been voluntarily recalled:
Aspect SunSPF50+ Physical Sun Protection
Aspect SunSPF50+ Tinted Physical Sun Protection
Aesthetics RxUltra Protection Sunscreen Cream
Beauty-FLTR Lustre Mineral SPF50+
Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF50+
People4OceanSPF 50+ Mineral Bioactive Shield Lightly Tinted Cream
Outside Beauty and Skincare’s SPF 50+ Mineral Primer
Salus Body & Spa’s SPF 50+ Daily Facial Sunscreen
These have been voluntarily cancelled:
Ultra Violette Velvet Screen SPF50
McoBeautySPF50+ Mineral Mattifying Sunscreen
Outside Beauty & SkincareSPF 50+ Mineral Primer
These have been paused and are under review by the TGA:
New Day SkinGood Vibes Sunscreen SPF50+
New Day SkinHappy Days Sunscreen SPF50+
Found My SkinSPF 50+ Tinted Face/Body Cream
Ethical ZincDaily Wear Light Sunscreen
Ethical ZincDaily Wear Tinted Facial Sunscreen (Dark)
Ethical ZincDaily Wear Tinted Facial Sunscreen (Light)
EndotaMineral Protect SPF50 Sunscreen
We are Feel Good IncMineral Sunscreen SPF50+
Naked Sundays Collagen Glow Mineral Sunscreen
Sales SPF50+ Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad Spectrum
These are under review by the TGA:
Allganics Light Sunscreen SPF50+
GlindaWand The Fountain of Youth Environmental Defence Cream SPF50+
WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN?
CHOICE revealed the figures in June this year.
“Of the 20 sunscreens we tested, only four products actually met their SPF 50 or 50+ claims,” said the reviewers’ Chief Executive, Ashley de Silva.
Ultra Violette removed its Lean Screen product on August 22, and over the next month, more items were scrapped.
On September 30, the TGA confirmed that other products, from a selection of brands, had the same base formula as Lean Screen.
Preliminary SPF testing of the base formula, produced by manufacturer Wild Child Laboratories, found that this base was unlikely to have an SPF greater than 21.
The medicine watchdog noted that each brand may modify the base formula, which could impact protection levels.
“It is possible that the addition of excipients could increase or decrease the SPF of a sunscreen,” it revealed in a statement.
“The TGA is, nonetheless, concerned that the test results relating to Lean Screen and the base formulation suggest that sunscreens made with the base formulation may not provide the claimed SPF.”
WHAT IS THE DAMAGE?
The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) states that sun damage can be prevented by using “sunscreen that is at least SPF 30 or higher.”
One of the sunscreens tested by CHOICE was found to be SPF 4, which gives practically no protection.
There is a well-established link from sun exposure to skin cancer – a condition in which two in three Australians will be diagnosed with by age 40, according to ARPANSA.
Aussies are in danger due to the strong UV and advised to use SPF 50.
The Risk is so high that children have been urged to keep their SPF close, with the government introducing the iconic Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide approach.
WHAT IS ULTRA VIOLETTE’S RESPONSE?
Ultra Violette released a statement when its Lean Screen was pulled but pointed the finger at a “third-party manufacturer.”
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.
“We will no longer be making any SKINSCREENS™ with that manufacturer.”
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
The TGA has warned customers to avoid purchasing any of the potentially faulty products: “You may wish to consider using an alternative product until the TGA completes its review.”
For those who bought Ultra Violette’s Lean Screen, you are eligible for a refund.
The form to get your money back can be found on the company website.
For other brands that are under review, you can get in touch with the place of purchase and ask for a refund.
If this is directly through the brand, you can find their contact details through their website, or if it’s through a third-party seller, you can head to their site or into one of their branches.
If you’ve lost your receipt, you might be able to prove your purchase in other ways.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission suggests looking for proof on your bank statements or for photographic evidence – hold onto any selfies or social media posts with the product.
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Originally published as Sunscreen recalls: How to check yours is safe and how to get a refund
Read related topics:Explainers
