Health

Popular sunscreens failing to meet UV protection claims revealed

Australians have one the highest rates of skin cancer in the world... so it is deeply concerning these products are not providing their stated level of protection.

Before you slip, slop, slap this summer, it’s worth investigating your sunscreen of choice, which has just been made much easier by Choice itself.

The consumer advocacy group tested six of the most popular sunscreens, revealing four of the six don’t meet their UV protection claims of SPF 50+.

The worst performer of the tested group was Ego Sunsense Sport 50+ which only offered protection of SPF 29.

The two best performers – which held up their end of the SPF 50+ protection deal – were Classic Zinc and Nivea Sun Kids Caring Roll-on.

Other sunscreens overpromising and under-delivering included Banana Boat Baby Finger Spray and Banana Boat Sport tube. Both only offered SPF 42 despite the SPF 50+ claims, while Ombra Kids Roll-on only offered SPF 36.

“Australians have one the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, making sunscreens an essential part of outdoor life. So it is deeply concerning these products are not providing their stated level of protection,” Choice’s Tom Godfrey told The Sydney Morning Herald.

“Given that most people don’t use enough sunscreen, applying a true SPF50+ product will better allow for some user error.”

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