BREAKING: Five more sunscreens have been urgently recalled from the Australian market due to serious concerns that their SPF ratings may not meet claims. Outside Beauty and Skincare, Found My Skin, and Endota have all announced the suspension of their SPF 50+ products as they investigate alarming discrepancies in testing results.
The companies have taken swift action to protect consumers. Outside Beauty and Skincare has removed its SPF 50+ Mineral Primer, citing safety concerns. In a statement, the company revealed, “In light of recent events, it has come to our attention that this formula has similar active ingredient concentrations as another brand that has had variable SPF testing results.”
Meanwhile, Found My Skin has pulled its Tinted Mineral SPF 50+ with Kakadu Plum and other Mineral SPF 50+ products, awaiting further testing. Endota followed suit, recalling its Mineral Protect SPF 50 and Natural Clear Zinc SPF 50+ for retesting.
This latest recall comes just days after Naked Sundays and Ultra Violette also withdrew products that claimed high sun protection. The action follows a shocking investigation by consumer group Choice, released in June, which found that 16 tested sunscreens in Australia did not meet their SPF claims. The report highlighted that the worst offender, Ultra Violette’s Lean Screen SPF 50+, was tested at a mere SPF of 4.
Choice CEO Ashley de Silva expressed disbelief at the findings, stating, “We were so shocked by the results for Ultra Violette’s Lean Screen SPF 50+ that we retested a different batch in Germany, confirming the same results — an SPF of 5.” This revelation raises critical questions about the reliability of sunscreen products on the market.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is now investigating the Choice report, acknowledging the significant public interest in the matter. A TGA spokesman confirmed that the investigation will involve a comprehensive review of data collected from sponsors. “Given the complexity and scale of the material involved, this process will take time,” he said.
The TGA is also examining existing SPF testing requirements and exploring alternative methods that may yield more reliable results, including in vitro test methods. “Variability in SPF testing results is a known issue,” the spokesman added, emphasizing the importance of using sunscreen to prevent skin cancer and the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation.
Authorities stress that sunscreen should be combined with other protective measures, such as seeking shade, wearing wide-brimmed hats, protective clothing, and sunglasses.
As this story develops, consumers are urged to check their sunscreen products and stay informed about future recalls to ensure their safety. Stay tuned for more updates as the investigation unfolds and more information becomes available.
