THE Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has laboratory tested 31 commonly used sunscreen products, including lotions, creams and aerosol sprays, sourced from pharmacies and supermarkets, and given the all-clear for every product evaluated.
Following a large number of reported concerns during the past Australian summer that sunscreens were failing to provide adequate sun protection, the TGA undertook the comprehensive assessment of products for their label-stated ingredients.
They were also tested for compliance with the Australian regulatory guidelines for sunscreens in terms of content of sun protection ingredients (90-120% of the labelled claim), finding all products compliant.
Also, following concerns raised through the use of aerosol spray products, the TGA said it undertook preliminary testing to investigate their delivery rates revealing the amount of sunscreen delivered per second differed between brands.
Given this, it is important consumers follow the labelling instructions to 'apply liberally' to ensure proper coverage of the sunscreen, the TGA said.
With more than 24 million people in Australia there are many millions of applications of sunscreen each year and, given the widespread use, the rate of reported problems is relatively low.
Between 01 Jan and 31 Dec 2016 the TGA received a total of 27 reports of adverse reactions to sunscreens of which 15 were reports of allergic reactions, namely a rash, and 12 reports of a product not being effective.
The Cancer Council and medical colleges have emphasised the importance of applying sunscreens liberally and regularly, as these products are commonly under-applied, and frequently removed by sweating, washing or towelling off.
See items tested at tga.gov.au.
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