As summer edges closer (hooray for that!), there’s been unsettling news surrounding popular sunscreens on the market. Consumer group CHOICE tested 20 sunscreens and found that 16 of them didn’t meet their advertised SPF 50 protection. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is now investigating how SPF testing is carried out, and several products have already been recalled or pulled from shelves (something that should have been done a lonnnnng time ago perhaps 🤔).
It’s a little alarming to think that something so many of us rely on and trust daily might not actually be giving us the protection promised. It’s also a timely reminder that while sunscreen is important, it shouldn’t be our only line of defence. Hats, shade, timing of exposure, and covering up when possible are still some of the most reliable ways to protect our skin.
Another layer to this conversation is the type of sunscreen we use. Mineral-based sunscreens, like those made with non-nano zinc oxide, sit on the skin’s surface and physically reflect harmful UV rays. Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, work by absorbing UV light into the skin and converting it into heat which is released from the skin.
Some chemical UV filters in sunscreens, such as oxybenzone and avobenzone, have been shown in studies to reach plasma concentrations above recognised safety thresholds, and in laboratory research have been linked with DNA damage in human skin cells through the generation of reactive by-products under UV exposure. (sources: 1, 2)
These same chemicals are also well documented to harm marine ecosystems when washed into the ocean, contributing to coral bleaching, DNA damage in corals, developmental deformities in young marine life, and reduced fertility in fish. (sources: 1, 2, 3, 4)
It’s concerning when the very products designed to protect us can have unintended side effects for both our health and the environment.
This is why I feel drawn to simpler, more natural options. When I make my own balm and zinc cream, I know exactly what’s in it – gentle butters and oils and mineral zinc oxide – and I use it alongside other sensible sun-smart habits. While homemade products don’t come with lab-tested SPF guarantees, for me it’s about balance, mindfulness and transparency.
The recent news highlights that even with regulations, commercial sunscreens can let us down. Choosing mineral over chemical, being mindful of how we use products, and remembering that sun safety is multi-layered might just be the wisest way forward this summer.
