The sunscreen scandal in Australia is intensifying. Authorities have already pulled 18 products from store shelves over safety concerns.
Leading sunscreens fail protection tests
In June, a consumer advocacy group revealed that several popular sunscreens failed to deliver the protection they claimed. Ultra Violette’s Lean Screen Skinscreen advertised SPF 50+ but tested at only SPF 4. The company recalled it voluntarily in August.
The medicines regulator has since flagged 20 more sunscreens from other brands. All used the same base formula, which testing showed to be unreliable.
SPF levels far below advertised claims
Preliminary tests revealed the formula rarely exceeded SPF 21. Some products provided as little as SPF 4. Of the 21 products named, eight were recalled or halted. Ten remain suspended, while two are still under review. One product is made in Australia but not sold domestically.
High skin cancer rates fuel public outrage
Australia has the world’s highest skin cancer rate. Two in three Australians will need at least one cancerous skin removal in their lifetime. Strict sunscreen regulations reflect this risk. The scandal has sparked national anger and drawn international attention. Experts now question both sunscreen manufacturing and SPF testing reliability.
Manufacturer halts base formula production
Wild Child Laboratories Pty Ltd, the maker of the base formula, has stopped producing it. Chief executive Tom Curnow said regulators found no problems at its facility. He argued the discrepancies highlight a broader industry issue.
US testing laboratory under investigation
Regulators have long questioned the reliability of SPF testing. In their latest update, they raised serious concerns about Princeton Consumer Research Corp, a US-based lab. Many sunscreen brands relied on this lab to verify 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 firms linked to the disputed formula or the lab. They also wrote to Princeton Consumer Research Corp but have not received a response.
