Consumer group finds most sunscreens do not meet SPF claims
Major sunscreen brands are not living up to their SPF claims, according to a new test from consumer group Choice.
Choice tested 20 popular SPF50 and SPF50+ sunscreens and found that only four lived up to the standard they claimed, with 16 falling short.
SPF stands for 'sun protection factor' and is the measure of how well the sunscreen protects from the sun's UV rays.
An SPF 50 sunscreen is meant to block about 98 per cent of the rays, meaning it will take 50 times longer to get burnt than with unprotected skin.
The consumer group tested the products with experts in an accredited sunscreen lab, with four products returning SPF results in the 40s, four in the 30s, and seven in the 20s.
Choice chief executive Ashley de Silva said the tests showed that products were not meeting consumer expectations.
'Consumers expect sunscreen to protect them in line with the SPF rating on the product, but as our testing has shown, the SPF label doesn't always match what's in the bottle,' he said.
One sunscreen, Ultra Violette's lean screen SPF 50+ mattifying zinc skinscreen, astoundingly returned a result of just SPF4.
'We were really shocked to see the results for Ultra Violette's lean screen SPF 50+ product, so much so that we actually decided to test a different batch at a completely different lab in Germany to confirm the results,' Mr de Silva said.
'Those tests found the product had an SPF of 5 – an almost identical result to our initial testing.'
The consumer group was, however, quick to remind people that while a sunscreen may have ranked lower than claimed in its tests, that does not mean that products do not work.
A sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or 20 can still give significant sun protection and is much better than using no sunscreen at all.
Choice have told the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) about the results of the tests and asked the TGA to conduct their own tests.
'Choice is calling on the TGA to urgently carry out its own sunscreen compliance testing and on the ACCC to investigate if any SPF claims are misleading,' Mr de Silva said.
'Currently, the TGA relies on reports provided by manufacturers to ensure the safety, quality and efficacy of sunscreen products.
'Unfortunately, these reports may not be providing the accurate information consumers need when choosing sunscreens for themselves and their families.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
‘Why I've never had a boyfriend at 31'
My life has always been marked by a strange duality. I was Dux of my high school, but I had no best friend to trade secrets and friendship bracelets with. I graduated with a double-degree, but I couldn't make eye contact with the cute guys in my classes. I work professionally and was headhunted for a PhD scholarship, but at age 31 I've still never had a boyfriend. The shame of my difference was all-consuming until I was diagnosed as autistic at age 28. Finally, my life made sense: my sensory quirks, mental health struggles, and especially my 'social awkwardness'. For many women like me, an autism diagnosis comes later in life – if we're ever diagnosed at all. According to recent research, nearly 80% of autistic females remain undiagnosed at age 18. For a long time, autism was considered a 'male' condition, with four times as many boys diagnosed as girls. Now, though, experts are realising that autism is much more common in girls and women than previously thought. Still, the diagnostic criteria for autism remains male-centric, meaning girls and women often remain undiagnosed and unsupported. Yet even with a diagnosis, autistic women often face barriers receiving appropriate support. Take, for example, my experience with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). According to the NDIS, the scheme prioritises participant 'choice and control' and supports that are 'reasonable and necessary' to improve disabled people's quality of life, independence, and social skills. Applying to the NDIS, I was hopeful I'd finally get some help – support I need particularly because of my social isolation. I have no partner, and both of my parents have died. After a year of waiting on my application, I got a life-changing call from a sunshine-voiced woman. 'Just calling to let you know that you are now a participant of the NDIS,' she said. Relief flooded through me, but it was short-lived. In my first planning meeting, an NDIS worker asked me what supports I would like. 'Psychosexual therapy and pelvic floor physiotherapy,' I responded. 'And maybe a hearing aid for my left ear.' 'How are those related to your autism?' she asked. Awkwardly, I explained how my social anxiety and trauma are stored in my pelvic muscles, a condition called vaginismus. These therapies, I clarified, will mean one day I'll have the confidence and physical ability to have a normal romantic, sexual relationship, just like everyone else. 'Not everyone who has autism experiences trauma,' she said. 'There's no direct link from autism to psychosexual therapy or pelvic floor physiotherapy for your vaginis… whatever'. Shame swept over me. 'These are considered medical treatments,' she continued, 'So they're not covered by the NDIS but by Medicare.' It took all my courage to point out that neither of these therapies are covered by Medicare. Later, I found out that both psychosexual therapy and physiotherapy can be covered by the NDIS. At the end of the call, the NDIS planner offered me access to a speech therapist and support worker, despite the fact I have no speech impediment and am comfortable going out alone. As a disability scholar, I know why I've fallen through the cracks. Like many services that aim to help autistic people, the NDIS is biased by years of male-centric diagnostic and treatment rhetoric. This underlying current of medical misogyny fuels ignorance about how autism presents in girls and adult women, and therefore what 'reasonable and necessary' supports might be. In other words, because I'm autistic, I was offered speech therapy and a support worker, which I understand is common for autistic men. But I'm an autistic woman, and I don't need speech therapy. I need physical and mental therapy so I can build my confidence and heal my traumatised body, so that relationships aren't terrifying and so that sex isn't painful. And I'm not alone in struggling with romance and sex. Research shows that autistic women often have poorer levels of overall sexual functioning, feel less well in sexual relationships than autistic men, and are also at greater risk of becoming a victim of sexual assault or abuse. According to a recent study, 9 out of 10 autistic women have experienced sexual violence. I am among them. Despite statistics like these, support for autistic women is scarce and hard to access, even for so-called 'high-functioning' autistic people like me. Reflecting on my NDIS experience, I think 'it shouldn't be this hard'. But it is. And it has real-life implications. In a pub where the noise worsens my hearing impairment, I can't properly hear the guy who approaches me to talk. He eventually gives up and politely excuses himself, walking away. I have a panic attack and leave. On Facebook, I see old school peers post about their partners and children. On Instagram, I see one of my oldest friends announce her engagement. 'Congrats!!!' I comment, crying tears of envy. At the gynaecologist, I fail a cervical exam in searing pain. Alone, I remember lying in a man's bed, paralysed with fear and the shame of my inexperience. I wonder what a speech therapist would say. Elena Filipczyk is an autistic writer and PhD candidate.
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
Brisbane Broncos rocked by Suncorp Stadium death
The Brisbane Broncos have been left devastated by the death of a club member moments before the team's win over the Titans on Saturday night. As first reported by Code Sports, a male spectator, who has been identified as a long-time club member, suffered a heart attack inside Suncorp Stadium in the minutes leading up to kick-off. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. According to the report, paramedics stationed at the venue were unable to revive the man after the tragic medical episode. Broncos chief executive Dave Donaghy told Code: 'It was horribly sad. Our thoughts are with the family right now and of course we will do whatever we can to support them at this difficult time. 'The first responders on the night were remarkable, I couldn't imagine the job they had to do in difficult circumstances.' The football club has honoured the family's request by donating a jersey. According to the report, the jersey will be placed on top of the man's coffin at his funeral. Queensland Emergency services have confirmed paramedics attended a 'serious medical event' at the Castlemaine Street stadium around 7.30pm. It is a tragic development for a club that had been doing plenty of celebrating on Saturday night. The club pulled out of a form slump with a 44-14 win over the Gold Coast on the same night the club honoured veteran halfback Adam Reynolds in his 300th NRL game. Players were also sporting a rare all-black jersey, which was well received across the rugby league world. The black jerseys along with black shorts and black socks are being worn to make a powerful statement for the club's dedicated Mental Health Round. The jersey was designed in collaboration with Broncos Charity Partner, Black Dog Institute, with the club to make a major donation from the proceeds of the jersey to the organisation. Additionally the club announced that proceeds from the 50-50 Charity Raffle at Saturday's game will go towards Black Dog Institute.
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
EZZ and these ASX stocks ride China's growing kids supplement boom
Kids' vitamins boomed after Covid Aussie supplement brands win big in China's wellness craze EZZ surges with China sales, and expands into Southeast Asia When Covid hit, parents across the globe scrambled for ways to keep their families healthy. But while adults were downing zinc and elderberry by the handful, something else happened – children's supplements quietly exploded. Early in the pandemic, the general view was that kids weren't at serious risk from Covid, so supplements for them weren't top of mind. But when new variants started popping up like whack-a-moles and vaccines lagged for younger age groups, parental panic set in. Suddenly, boosting kids' immunity became a front-line priority. By mid-2022, the global children's supplements market was already 35% bigger than it was pre-pandemic. Gummy vitamins led the charge (no surprise there), but liquids, chewables and powders also spiked; anything that could get past fussy taste buds. And the momentum hasn't slowed. Analysts reckon the children's supplement market could be nearly 50% bigger by 2025 than it was before Covid hit. Riding the wellness wave Meanwhile, Aussie brands didn't just catch this wave, they were paddling out before the swell even formed, especially in China. Post-Covid, 'Brand Australia' has become gold-standard stuff across Chinese households. Clean, safe, and trusted. In a market where quality and safety matter more than ever, Aussie products walk in with halo lighting. From baby formula to supplements, Aussie goods feel like peace of mind in a bottle for the Chinese consumer. For instance, Blackmores, now delisted after its Kirin takeover in 2023, remains a major player in China, backed by its 'authentic Aussie wellness' reputation. Another big Aussie brand, Swisse, continues to blend local ingredients with savvy storytelling, tapping into China's love of natural health. Swisse's use of familiar ingredients like eucalyptus and tea tree, which are staples in traditional Chinese medicine, has helped the brand resonate with health-conscious parents. EZZ builds momentum in China and Southeast Asia But it's not just the big legacy names making traction in China. A newer and smaller player, EZZ Life Science (ASX:EZZ), has also carved out a fast-growing niche. Over 85% of EZZ's revenue now comes from China, where its children's supplements are tapping into a growing cultural pressure that's as much about wellbeing as it is about academic performance. In recent years, healthy bone development has become part of the competitive parenting equation in China, and bone growth supplements are taking off. EZZ's L-Lysine Growth Capsules and Bone Growth Chews 3.0, which feature ingredients like lysine, calcium, zinc, and vitamin D3, are formulated to support healthy bone development, according to their labels. These two products have quietly become bestsellers on Chinese platforms like Tmall and driven by parents looking for that extra edge in their child's growth journey. In the first half of FY25, EZZ notched up a 40% lift in revenue and a threefold rise in pre-tax profit. And while children's growth supplements have led the charge, EZZ's broader lineup – covering eye health, immune support, DHA chews, and minerals – continues to expand. All of it is backed by TGA registrations, GMP standards, and growing reach into pharmacies and e-commerce alike. Other ASX-listed players in the game There are a couple more listed names riding the children-and-wellness trend: Nutritional Growth Solutions (ASX:NGS), for instance, specialises in paediatric nutrition. Its clinically tested Healthy Heights milkshake is in US grocery chains and moving into APAC, including China. Vita Life Sciences (ASX:VLS) formulates and sells vitamins, minerals, and superfood supplements across Asia-Pacific, including China, and caters to all age groups with brands like VitaHealth and Herbs of Gold. These names, alongside EZZ, are part of a growing local cohort tapping into global demand for quality supplements.
