Peak Industry Body for Australian Sunscreen

New evidence links chemical UV filters in sunscreens to breast cancer risks. The ASC urges Australians to prioritise physical protection and mineral sunscreens.

Freedom of Information requests have revealed that 21 sunscreen active ingredients on Australia’s permissible list were never properly safety assessed by the TGA. Internal documents confirm only Zinc Oxide is considered safe, with Titanium Dioxide flagged for possible concerns. For decades, Australians have been applying sunscreens containing chemicals the regulator itself has never cleared for safety.

For decades, Australians have been told that “the benefits of sunscreen outweigh the risks.” But this slogan hides important truths: not all sunscreens are equal, some UV filters have unresolved safety concerns, and real-world evidence shows sunscreen use alone has not reliably reduced melanoma. This blog explains what the science actually tells us, and why physical protection and mineral sunscreens are the clearest net-benefit strategies.