The sunscreen safety scandal in Australia is growing rapidly. Regulators have already pulled 18 products from store shelves due to safety fears.
Major sunscreen brands caught up
In June, a consumer advocacy group revealed that several leading sunscreens failed to deliver their promised protection. Ultra Violette’s Lean Screen Skinscreen claimed SPF 50+ but tested at just SPF 4. The company voluntarily recalled the product in August.
The medicines regulator has since highlighted 20 more sunscreens from other companies. All used the same base formula, which testing showed to be unreliable.
Tests show weak sun protection
Preliminary investigations revealed the base formula rarely exceeded SPF 21. Some products gave results as low as SPF 4. Of the 21 products identified, eight were recalled or halted. Ten more remain suspended, while two are under review. One of the named sunscreens is produced in Australia but not sold there.
Skin cancer risks spark public anger
Australia has the world’s highest rate of skin cancer. Two in three Australians will require at least one cancerous skin removal during their lifetime. Strict sunscreen laws reflect this danger. The scandal has triggered outrage across the country and raised concerns abroad. Experts warn of flaws in both manufacturing and SPF testing systems.
Manufacturer halts base formula
Wild Child Laboratories Pty Ltd, the maker of the shared base formula, has stopped producing it. Chief executive Tom Curnow said regulators found no issues at the facility. He argued the discrepancies reflect broader problems across the sunscreen industry.
US testing lab under scrutiny
Regulators have long questioned whether SPF testing is too subjective. In their latest update, they raised serious doubts about Princeton Consumer Research Corp, a US-based laboratory. Many sunscreen makers relied on this lab’s results to support their SPF claims.
Mr Curnow confirmed Wild Child has ended ties with the US lab. He said the company now works with accredited independent testers. Regulators contacted all companies linked to the disputed formula or the lab. They also wrote to Princeton Consumer Research Corp but have not received a response.
