Australians urged to know the difference between therapeutic and cosmetic sunscreens

It makes sense to use sunscreen during the summer, and in many parts of the country year-round.

But experts urge Australians to be wary of relying on “sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen” and other cosmetic products to protect themselves from ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can cause skin cancer. I'm warning you.

Australia has strict sunscreen regulations enforced by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), but some companies may be finding loopholes to sell 'sunscreen' products through clever packaging and social media marketing. There are concerns that this may occur.

Jessica Stokes-Parrish, a registered nurse from Queensland and a researcher at Bond University, said the problem was especially prevalent in the summer.

“What I've seen is companies selling their products as sunscreens but not going through the TGA testing process to register their products as sunscreens,” she said.

Dr Stokesparish said social media marketing was fueling consumer confusion, especially among young women.

“They're using products that don't provide any sun protection, which can increase their risk of UV-induced aging and skin cancer,” she says.

A TGA spokesperson said it had received reports relating to “alleged non-compliance with sunscreen products” but could not comment on whether any would be the subject of any investigation or compliance or enforcement action.

Is your sunscreen really sunscreen?

There's an easy way to tell if your sunscreen is a TGA-regulated sunscreen.

That is, check the package for the letters “AUST L” (or in some cases “AUST R”) followed by a number.

This means the product is registered on the Australian Therapeutic Goods Register (ARTG) and has passed all the necessary pre-market testing as a regulated therapeutic sunscreen.

You can also search for products from. ARTG online database.

Therapeutic sunscreens regulated by the TGA include:

• Primary sunscreens (products with an SPF or sun protection factor of 4 or higher, used primarily to protect against UV rays)
• Some secondary sunscreens (such as moisturizers with SPF greater than 15)

SPF is a measure of how well a sunscreen protects your skin from sun damage. For example, SPF30 blocks 96.7 percent of UV rays, and SPF50 blocks 98 percent (as long as you apply it correctly and in sufficient amounts regularly)..

Michelle Wong, a cosmetic chemist and science educator, says that therapeutic sunscreens: Must meet specific manufacturing quality standards and contain only approved ingredients (Assessed for safety and quality by TGA).

It is also essential that therapeutic sunscreens be broad-spectrum. This means it protects against UVB and UVA rays, both of which contribute to an increased risk of skin cancer.

“these [sunscreens] In general, that's what people should rely on as sunscreen,” Dr. Wong said.

Therapeutic sunscreens and cosmetic sunscreens

There is another group of sunscreens in Australia that are not regulated by the TGA. These are known as cosmetic sunscreens. They include:

• Lip products with SPF4 or higher
• Colored bases and foundations with SPF4 or higher
• Moisturizer with SPF 4-15 (less than 300g or 300ml)
• Sun skin care products with SPF 4-15 (less than 300g or 300ml)

Cosmetic sunscreens are not considered therapeutic products and are instead regulated under cosmetic and consumer product standards.

They contain sunscreen, but their primary purpose is something else, says Sally Blaine, deputy chair of the Cancer Council's national skin cancer committee.

“Therapeutic or primary sunscreen is just sunscreen, and it is very strictly regulated by the TGA,” she said.

“Cosmetic sunscreens don't have as many regulations to meet these minimum standards.”

In some cases, cosmetic products such as foundation and BB creams can have an SPF of 30 or even 50.

A TGA spokesperson said if a product claims SPF, whether it's therapeutic or cosmetic, it must comply with Australian/New Zealand sunscreen standards.

However, to provide the actual level of SPF that the product claims, you will most likely need to apply generously and reapply throughout the day. And when it comes to wearing makeup, Dr. Storksplish said that probably means wearing more makeup than usual.

Whenever the UV Index is 3 or higher, the Cancer Council We recommend applying at least 1 teaspoon of SPF 50 sunscreen to your face (including neck and ears), reapply every 2 hours.

Blaine said you should always use a therapeutic sunscreen under your makeup, even if it says SPF.

“However, [cosmetic] The product itself may meet minimum standards for SPF, but it's how you use it [that matters]” she said.

“I still recommend applying sunscreen as directed first, then applying makeup over it.”

'Offensive' social media messaging

The Cancer Council's famous 'Slip, Slop, Slap' campaign, first launched in 1981, is as relevant today as it was 30 years ago.

In 2007, it was updated to include “seek” and “slide.” But young people now have to contend with another “s” word: social media.

a Recent Tik Tok trends Experts who saw people getting tan lines on their chests were upset about glorifying tans.

Another claimed that “natural” homemade ingredients were more effective as a sunscreen for sensitive skin.

T.G.A. Use of homemade sunscreen is highly recommendedhas been shown to provide minimal protection.

A regulator spokesperson also said consumers should be aware that there are no guarantees as to the safety of products purchased from overseas that are not approved for supply in Australia.

“Products imported into Australia for commercial supply must be included in the ARTG in order to be legally supplied in Australia,” a TGA spokesperson said.

Teens Ella McGillivray, Summer Missenden and Emily Levi said they saw a video online promoting a sunscreen product.

“I've certainly seen influencers exist on social media and a lot of people are using them,” Ella said.

Research results published last year revealed Deaths from non-melanoma skin cancer in Australia have nearly doubled in the past 20 yearsThe number of deaths per year was 400 in 2001, but will rise to nearly 800 in 2021.

The study, led by skin cancer researcher Andrew Detrick, found that the “rapidly rising” mortality rate from non-melanoma was only partially due to Australia's growing and aging population. It turns out there isn't.

“We know that people under 35 think it's safe to tan because they're young,” Dr. Detrick says.

“That's simply not true.

“Exposure to UV light is similar to smoking. Every cigarette causes damage, and every time you're in the sun, UV light causes damage.”