Study reveals which sunscreens don't meet SPF claims
Australian consumer group Choice took a close look at household sunscreens, including many available in New Zealand, and found that 16 out of the 20 tested didn't meet the mark.
While most still provided moderate or high SPF protection, one product – Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF50+ Mattifying Zinc Sunscreen – only returned an SPF of 4.
Choice tested the sunscreen again at a second lab to confirm this result and got a similar low SPF of 5. This sunscreen is sold in New Zealand for $58.
After testing, Choice contacted manufacturers of the sunscreens with their results.
Ultra Violette suggested that "human error" or a "mix-up of samples" was a "highly probable scenario", Choice reported on their website.
The manufacturer also said that, given the levels of zinc oxide in its Lean Screen sunscreen, an SPF of 4 was scientifically impossible.
"We are deeply committed to the health and safety of our customers, rigorously retesting our entire SPF range every two years," Ultra Violette said in a statement to Choice.
"Lean Screen has been on the market for five years in 29 countries and we have not received a single substantiated claim of sunburn during use – reinforcing our confidence in the testing we have. If the Choice results were at all feasible, we would have had hundreds of cases of reported sunburn and skin damage while using this product in real life situations."
Consumer NZ research and test writer Belinda Castles says the results are worrying given these companies' lack of transparency about when and where their products are tested.
'Sunscreens sold in New Zealand are now regulated under the Sunscreen (Product Safety Standard) Act 2022 and must meet the Australian and New Zealand sunscreen standard, which has requirements for independent testing," Castles said in a statement releasing the new data on Thursday.
"However, when we updated our sunscreens database last year, the companies that market Banana Boat, Bondi Sands, Neutrogena, Nivea and Sun Bum refused to provide this information.'
Consumer NZ ran a sunscreen testing programme until 2022. Castles says they had been campaigning for companies to regularly test products to ensure they continue to meet their label claims.
'Our sunscreen research found some companies were relying on test results that are several years old. The latest Choice tests back our call.'
Invisible Zinc Face + Body Mineral Sunscreen SPF50+ tested at 38 in the Australian test. The company told Consumer NZ this product was last tested in 2017. Woolworths Sunscreen SPF50+ Everyday Lotion tested at 27 in the Australian test. The company told Consumer this product was last tested in 2018.
The latest Choice test found Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture Lock SPF50+ and Sun Bum Premium Moisturising Sunscreen Lotion SPF50+ both tested at SPF40.
Consumer's 2021 tests of both these sunscreens also got SPF results in the 40s.
SPF is a measure of how effective sunscreen is at protecting your skin from UVB rays. If it takes five minutes of sun exposure for your skin to start burning, applying an SPF 50 sunscreen protects you for 50 times that amount of time – in this case 250 minutes. Sunscreen with an SPF of 30 would protect you – ideally – for 180 minutes. Products tested available in New Zealand
SPF results in 50+
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Wet Skin Sunscreen SPF 50+ – tested at 72
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Lotion SPF 50 – tested at 56
Mecca Cosmetica To Save Body SPF 50+ Hydrating Sunscreen – tested at 51
SPF results in the 40s
Nivea Sun Kids Ultra Protect and Play Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ – tested at 41
Nivea Sun Protect and Moisture Lock SPF 50+ Sunscreen – tested at 40
Sun Bum Premium Moisturising Sunscreen Lotion 50+ – tested at 40
SPF results in the 30s
Banana Boat Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ – tested at 35
Bondi Sands SPF 50+ Fragrance Free Sunscreen – tested at 32
Invisible Zinc Face + Body Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 – tested at 38
SPF results in the 20s
Banana Boat Baby Zinc Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ – tested at 28
Bondi Sands SPF 50+ Zinc Mineral Body Lotion – tested at 26
Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Lotion SPF 50 – tested at 24
Woolworths Sunscreen Everyday Tube SPF 50+ – tested at 27
SPF results <10
Ultra Violette's Lean Screen SPF 50+ Mattifying Zinc Skinscreen – tested at 4
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
1News
3 days ago
- 1News
Philip Polkinghorne may give evidence at inquest into wife's death
The Auckland eye surgeon found not guilty of killing his wife after a lengthy murder trial last year may give evidence at her coronial inquest next year. Pauline Hanna, who managed the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine as an executive director at Counties Manukau Health, died in her Remuera home on April 5, 2021. Her husband, former Auckland eye surgeon Philip Polkinghorne, was found not guilty of her murder after an eight-week trial. A pre-hearing conference has taken place in the North Shore District Court this morning with a number of key figures from the trial appearing in court once again. Polkinghorne and his lawyer Ron Mansfield were present, alongside Pauline's brother Bruce Hanna, and niece Rose, and lawyer Alysha McClintock representing the police. ADVERTISEMENT There was also a large media presence, including author Steve Braunias who has written a book about the trial, Polkinghorne, and documentary maker Mark McNeill. Coroner Tania Tetitaha laid out a timeline for lawyers to produce evidence for the inquest. She gave them 28 days to come up with agreed facts and contested evidence. The coroner asked if Polkinghorne would be available to appear before the inquest in August next year. Philip Polkinghorne leaves the North Shore District Court. (Source: 1News) Mansfield said Polkinghorne could make himself available. She deemed it relevant, saying he would know best the stressors in her life leading up to Hanna's death, as her husband. ADVERTISEMENT Mansfield raised concerns around how far back evidence would be collected for the inquest, calling a submission filed by the police a "pseudo-prosecution" of Polkinghorne. "The main issue is going to be what happened on that evening, I have no doubt about that," Tetitaha said. It was revealed in July Australian sex worker Madison Ashton, Polkinghorne's former lover, had asked to give evidence at the inquest. Tetitaha brought up Asthon's potential evidence, saying it would be useful to hear from Polkinghorne on what was presented. The Crown argued during his criminal trial held in the High Court at Auckland Polkinghorne killed his wife after a possible violent struggle, while he may have been under the influence of methamphetamine. His defence maintained Hanna died by suicide after many years of struggling with depression, compounded by work-related stress. The inquest is expected to get underway in August 2026. ADVERTISEMENT
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Living life to the fullest after transplant
Golfer Natalie Brown is heading to the World Transplant Games in Dresden, Germany. PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIEN Natalie Brown never takes for granted her second chance at life. Thirty-one years ago she received a life-changing kidney transplant when her brother, Alan Penny, stepped up as her donor. That is far higher than the average life expectancy for recipients — "I like to advertise that fact, so that it gives people a lot of hope" — and had made her passionate to advocate for others. "I feel fortunate to be honest, because I think people that don't go through that process don't appreciate good health and don't appreciate every day what they can do," she said. "Every day's been a bonus and I've done the most amazing things. Life's been fabulous." That includes returning to the World Transplant Games in Dresden, Germany, next week, where she will pick up the golf clubs. The Games, which are held every two years, are for transplant recipients, donors and donor families to compete across a range of sports. Since her transplant, Ms Brown — who is the only golfer in the 11-strong New Zealand team — always wanted to compete at the Games and was lucky enough to play alongside her brother at the Games in Perth, where he lives, in 2023. After winning gold in the singles and bronze in the pairs two years ago, she will compete in the singles in Dresden and is looking forward to being surrounded be like-minded people on the course again. Knowing how a transplant can transform someone's life has made Ms Brown a passionate advocate. She is involved with the Otago Kidney Society, the Australasian Kidney Trials Network, the Australian and New Zealand data registry and the George Institute for Global Health. "It is a second chance at life. When I got diagnosed, and had to go on dialysis, I went '50 years ago, I'd be dead'. "At the moment there's huge statistics ... if early detection comes along then you can stop kidney disease. "There's a big push ... to get people that have got like high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, to go and get checked." She considered herself lucky to have a "fantastic" renal team in Dunedin, including Prof Rob Walker.
NZ Herald
08-08-2025
- NZ Herald
Foot-and-mouth disease: How a new Australian vaccine might help farmers
Milk yields drop sharply for dairy cows, and overall health takes a hit. While the disease can infect other cloven-hoofed animals, such as sheep, cows are the worst hit. The last outbreak in Australia was in 1872. But three years ago, foot-and-mouth arrived in Indonesia, triggering widespread alarm and new biosecurity measures. If the virus made it to Australia, it would put livestock exports at real risk. Graziers are also on edge about the Government's decision to open the door to beef imports from the United States. When an outbreak is detected, authorities usually have to cull huge numbers of animals to prevent it from spreading. But now another option is emerging – a new Australian mRNA vaccine able to be tailored to specific viral strains. If the vaccine proves safe and effective, it could let authorities respond rapidly to any outbreak by vaccinating animals in a ring around any outbreak. What's so bad about foot-and-mouth? If foot-and-mouth disease entered Australia, it would devastate the export trade. Photo / Mark Mitchell The virus that causes foot-and-mouth disease is extremely contagious. Many other infectious animal diseases only spread between animals in close proximity, but this virus can spread through the air and survive on surfaces for a long time. The widespread and persistent damage it does to animal health, milk output and fertility is enough to make it a real concern for big farming nations such as Australia. Livestock exporters rely on Australia's status as a nation free of major animal diseases. Listen to Australian correspondent, Chris Russell, talk to Jamie Mackay about the foot-and-mouth disease mRNA vaccine on The Country below: This status means animals and animal products can be freely exported to many nations. If foot-and-mouth entered Australia, it would devastate the export trade. Many countries would stop buying Australian animals and animal products to stop the virus from getting into their own disease-free herds. In 2001, an outbreak of the virus in the United Kingdom was detected after it had already spread widely. To control it, authorities culled over six million animals. It cost the industry an estimated A$16 billion ($17.5b) in damages. These mass culls are done because the virus is so contagious. Authorities have to race against its spread. How would this vaccine fit in? It's unlikely Australia's 30 million cattle would be pre-emptively vaccinated against the virus. This is for several reasons. While vaccines help animals fight the virus, pre-emptive vaccination could actually affect Australia's disease-free status, as vaccination can make it harder to detect an outbreak. Immunity tends to last less than a year. The virus has many different strains, which makes it harder to get full protection. Any vaccine has to match the dominant strains in a region. If foot-and-mouth got into Australia, the main goal would be to eradicate it as quickly as possible. Otherwise, the virus could jump into feral herds of pigs, goats and deer, after which it would become very difficult to control. If the virus were detected early and confined to a small area, authorities would most likely lock down animal movement in the area and slaughter the affected herds. But if the virus was detected late and a wider outbreak was under way, authorities would have to launch a different response. This would involve creating blockages to the virus as quickly as possible. Vaccinating animals in the wider area would act to create a barrier to the virus spreading, alongside other measures such as restricting animal movement and culling. Vaccines for foot-and-mouth aren't new. Stockpiles already exist overseas, and Australia would be able to access these in the event of an outbreak. There are two reasons this new mRNA vaccine is a significant development. First, it's being locally produced, making it easier for authorities to ramp up a response at the speed required. Second, mRNA technology offers the ability to rapidly tweak vaccines to match new strains. This would likely boost how effective it is. Production of mRNA vaccine can be scaled up very quickly, too. While the technology seems promising, it's not guaranteed. Livestock vaccines have to pass rigorous regulatory checks to ensure they're safe for the animals and for human consumers. What's next? The news of this new vaccine for foot-and-mouth is welcome. But it's not a silver bullet. Australia has long relied on stringent biosecurity measures to protect its large agricultural export industries. To boost their effectiveness, authorities have also rolled out new technologies such as one of the world's best livestock tracking systems. Each cow in Australia has a unique ID tag. The tag records where the animal has been over the course of its life. If there's an outbreak of an infectious disease such as foot-and-mouth, this tracking data will be invaluable. Authorities will be able to see where infected animals have been and which others may have been exposed. Vaccines, culling and tracking might sound like overkill. But this simple virus cannot be underestimated. Timothy J. Mahony, Professor of Animal Health and Director, Centre for Animal Science, The University of Queensland. Disclosure statement: Timothy J. Mahony has worked on disease modelling and vaccine development for another livestock disease, lumpy skin disease. This project received financial support from the Queensland government's Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
