Additional Sunscreen Recalls Announced: Is Your Brand Affected?

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Australians headed to the beach this week have been warned that two more sunscreens have been voluntarily recalled, just the latest development in the ongoing SPF controversy.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued a recall for two sunscreen products, prompting consumer attention.

Outside Beauty & Skincare SPF 50+ Mineral Primer
Salus SPF 50+ Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad Spectrum

For some products, the SPF rating could be as low as 4, according to a statement released on the TGA website. All were using the same base formulation.

This recall coincides with an impending heatwave expected to sweep across eastern Australia. The Bureau of Meteorology has forecasted that temperatures in regions of Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia might soar up to 16 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average in the upcoming days.

In June, an investigation by Choice revealed that several sunscreen brands failed to deliver the sun protection factor (SPF) they advertised, raising concerns about their effectiveness.

The current recall specifically targets certain batches of sunscreens. Notably, the recall includes particular batches of Outside Beauty’s Mineral Primer.

Since an investigation by consumer advocacy group Choice in June, eight sunscreens have been recalled. A further 13 sunscreens are either under review by the TGA, or have voluntarily paused supply.

Companies Salus and Outside Beauty have reassured consumers via statements on their websites that no other products are impacted by this recall.

Batch A1902, expiring October 2026
Batch 2586, expiring February 2028

The batch of Salus SPF 50+ affected is A1770, expiring July 2026.

People who have bought these batches have been asked to stop using the products, according to statements released by both companies on their websites. Customers are eligible for a refund.

Both Salus and Outside Beauty said in statements on their websites that no other products have been affected by the recall.

What is the base formulation?

All sunscreens identified by the TGA were using the same base formulation as Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF 50+. It was removed from shelves in August after the Choice investigation found the SPF rating could be as low as four.

Brands bought the base formulation from manufacturer Wild Child Laboratories. As with many sunscreens, companies then add different excipients, or non-active ingredients, such as fragrances or colour tints.

The TGA also expressed concerns about UK-based testing company Princeton Consumer Research (PCR Corp), which it says a number of brands used.

The TGA said it had written to PCR and has not received a response.

Near-record temperatures

The latest SPF scandal comes as Australia is experiencing an unseasonably warm October, with hot north-westerly winds bringing heat towards the east coast.

On Monday, the BoM’s severe weather update said temperatures in central Australia looked more like summer than your typical October, and it could lead to record-breaking heat in Western and Southern Queensland, north-eastern South Australia, and northern and north-western NSW through the week.

By Wednesday, temperatures in Sydney could hit 38C, while the western suburbs could reach as high as 40C. The BoM warned that this will bring an “extreme” fire danger for Sydney, the Hunter and the Illawarra.