Sunscreen safeguards instituted amid SPF protection review
The lead medical product regulator has made recommendations on sunscreen formulations after reviewing health risks of frequent use, calling for regulation after a study destroyed confidence in SPF ratings.
Australia’s medical product regulator is recommending new safeguards for two common sunscreen ingredients, pushing for product reformulations amid a separate scandal over independent research that rocked confidence in the accuracy of SPF ratings.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration issued a memo on Tuesday saying it had finished a review of Australian sunscreens and would push safeguards for two common ingredients, and a by-product.
The resolved review concerned the safety of frequent sunscreen application, rather than sun protection factor.
Consumer advocate CHOICE took brands to task last month when it released the results of its SPF testing on Australia’s major sunscreens – finding the majority oversold their effectiveness. Sunscreens across brands, retailers and prices underperformed and provided drastically less protection than advertised.
The worst offender was Ultra Violette’s Lean Screen SPF 50+, which clocked a measly 4 SPF in testing. Ultra Violette rejected CHOICE’s findings and presented two other sets of lab results placing it at more than 60 SPF.
Products by Neutragena, Cancer Council, Aldi Ombra, Bondi Sands, Woolworths and Banana Boat all clocked around half of their purported SPF.
Only four items delivered at or above what they advertised. The best tested was La Roche-Posay Anthelios Wet Skin Sunscreen SPF 50+, which carried 72 SPF.
Test results were referred to the TGA, which is still investigating.
The TGA’s announcement on Tuesday came out of a separate review process of ingredient safety, following regulatory changes overseas.
“The TGA review proposes that some sunscreen products containing the active ingredients homosalate and oxybenzone, as well as the degradant benzophenone, be reformulated to ensure sunscreens meet the highest standards of safety for prolonged and frequent use,” the memo reads.
“A comprehensive public and stakeholder consultation will begin today to help determine the level in sunscreens at which these ingredients remain suitable for use in Australian sunscreens.
“All sunscreens available in Australia are safe. The TGA is not recommending a change in the use of sunscreens, nor are there any warnings, bans or recalls of any products.”
Homosalate and oxybenzone are among the 30 active ingredients approved for use in Australian sunscreens and both are used to block out UV-rays. The TGA’s product review pointed to their use in “a higher number of sunscreen products marketed in Australia” and potential toxicity.
Oxybenozone is banned in Thailand and Hawaii and has been found to provoke sun-exposure allergic reactions in some animal trials. Homosalate has been linked to potential hormone disruption.
“The risks that have been identified in some of these studies have been demonstrated only in animals, and only with very high use of product over a prolonged period of time. They can be described as only theoretical, in terms of their risks to humans,” TGA chief medical adviser Robyn Langham said.
“The reason that the TGA is taking this so seriously and taking time to look at and evaluate this so carefully is because of the important role of sunscreen in reducing the risk of skin cancers in Australia.
“As part of our review, and mindful of the findings, the TGA is conducting a consultation of all stakeholders that are involved in the manufacture, the supply, the sale and the use of sunscreens, and that will help guide us as to whether there does need to be any changes in the composition of sunscreens or the recommendations on how sunscreens are being used.”
Specialist dermatologist Ritu Gupta previously urged caution for those gravitating towards expensive sunscreen brands, pushing for the TGA to review SPF claims further.
“We need to be certain that if we’re buying a sunscreen that has an SPF of 50 or an SPF of 30, that that, in fact, is what it has,” Dr Gupta told The Australian.
“More expensive sunscreens are not necessarily better, but they may contain additional ingredients that mean that they have better UV protection.
“Sometimes additional ingredients in sunscreen that can mean they have a higher price point (change) the consistency … (or) that it doesn’t leave a white tint on the skin.
“(They could include) chemical absorbers and physical blocking sunscreens. The ones that contain both are the best sunscreens, because they block the UV as it hits the skin. That’s what a physical blocker does, zinc or titanium, and then the chemical absorbers absorb the UV and neutralise its effect on DNA.
“Sometimes sunscreens can also contain a tint. A tint is important because it helps block visible light. Visible light contributes not to skin cancer and melanoma, but does contribute to skin ageing and pigmentation, and can be important in people who have conditions like melasma.
“If you’re going to spend more on a sunscreen, you might budget that and spend more on sunscreen that you use on your face and use a cheaper sunscreen on your body.”
She said that, regardless of personal preference, it was important to wear it often and adequately, picking a brand with an SPF at least over 30.
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