Sunscreens refuse to release SPF tests despite growing scrutiny
Experts fear consumers will turn away from sunscreen this summer unless brands start being more transparent on SPF testing.
Some of Australia’s biggest sunscreen brands have refused to reveal where they test their products’ SPF, or if they have even had it retested at all following the SPF scandal.
CHOICE announced in June that 16 popular sunscreens had an SPF below their labelled SPF50+ when tested by an independent laboratory.
Four months on, only one product tested by CHOICE — Ultra Violette’s Lean Screen — has been recalled, and the brands behind the remaining 15 products dispute their results.
They have all cited their own testing by accredited laboratories, but a Herald Sun survey of those brands has revealed none of them will release the reports.
While the regulator, who is still investigating, has these tests, summer is fast approaching and experts fear consumers — who have been left in the dark — have lost trust in sunscreen.
Aldi Ombra, Banana Boat, Bondi Sands, Cancer Council, Coles, Invisible Zinc, Neutrogena, Nivea, Sun Bum and Woolworths all had one, or more, SPF50+ sunscreens return an SPF in the 20s, 30s or 40s when tested by CHOICE.
This masthead sent a series of questions to each brand, finding retesting had only been ordered by three brands (Cancer Council, Coles (two laboratories) and Invisible Zinc (who used the same laboratory as CHOICE).
Woolworths was still awaiting results, while Bondi Sands said it was “in communication” about retesting.
Aldi, Nivea, Sun Bum, Banana Boat and Neutrogena did not answer the question.
Every brand refused to share their SPF report and, with the exception of Invisible Zinc, none of them would say which laboratory — beyond assuring they were accredited — was retesting their product.
Consumer behaviour researcher and University of New South Wales Professor Nitika Garg said brands needed to be transparent and should release their reports.
“It’s a missed opportunity, but it’s also hurting the consumer,” she said.
“Consumers are now confused and wondering whether it’s any use at all to use sunscreen.
“They’re not focused on specific brands, they’re treating this as an indictment on all SPF brands.”
She said the government and the regulator needed to act with summer coming and launch a campaign highlighting sunscreen is safe and, even at SPF 20, offers protection.
“You do not want people on the beach, baking without protection,” she said.
CHOICE campaigns director Rosie Thomas said brands “need to do more to rebuild trust in sunscreen SPF claims”.
“Consumers are looking to brands to provide reassurance their sunscreen is backed by strong SPF testing practices,” she said.
“We’re calling for all brands to provide, at least, confirmation of which lab provided their latest SPF test result.”
The Herald Sun is not suggesting brands are refusing to publicly share tests to cover up a low result.
All sunscreen brands must test their product’s SPF levels tested at an independent, accredited laboratory.
But as part of its investigation into the CHOICE report, the Therapeutic Goods Administration revealed last month that “some testing laboratories may be more reliable than others”.
They later said they had “significant concerns” in particular about Princeton Consumer Research, an overseas laboratory popular with Australian brands.
Its results were questioned after it emerged they had tested both Lean Screen and several other products that were not tested by CHOICE but made by Lean Screen’s manufacturer Wild Child using the same base formula.
After follow-up testing of the base formula returned a lower SPF result, of 21, the TGA published a list with all 21 products — from multiple different brands including McCo Beauty and Naked Sundays — that use that formula.
That announcement sparked several recalls, and brought consumer anxiety about SPF back into the spotlight.
But experts have urged the public to keep wearing sunscreen, pointing out that — bar the recalled Lean Screen — all the products tested by CHOICE still offer protection.
Ms Thomas said, when looking at CHOICE’s results, “it’s important to remember that an SPF of 20 or 30 still provides good protection”.
Correctly applied SPF 50 filters 98 per cent of UVB rays, while SPF 20 filters 95 per cent.
ALDI Australia said all sunscreens were “independently laboratory tested” in line with Australian standards.
Bondi Sands said safety and quality of products was always are “our highest priority”.
Cancer Council said the TGA, based on results from their retests, had confirmed “there is no safety concern with our sunscreens” and they will test products at two laboratories in future.
Coles said their products “are delivering the required protection” and they work with suppliers to meet standards.
Invisible Zinc said their updated formula, planned pre-CHOICE testing, tested at 64.
Nivea said they work with “various independent laboratories … across all our sunscreen products”.
Sun Bum said they were “confident” in their claims because they test “with more than one organization [sic]”.
Woolworths said their manufacturer Baxter uses “a number of different laboratories” for testing, but the reports were Baxter’s “confidential data”.
Neutrogena and Sun Bum did not respond.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration was contacted for comment.
