Peak Industry Body for Australian Sunscreen

For decades, Australians have been told to avoid the sun at all costs — but new global research suggests that message may no longer fit the science. Epidemiological studies from the UK and Sweden show that people who get more sunlight live longer, with reduced all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality.

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

Australia has the highest rates of skin cancer in the world — yet skin cancer rates continue to rise despite decades of sunscreen promotion. Recent research, including a major McGill University study, found that sunscreen users were nearly twice as likely to report a history of skin cancer. This “sunscreen paradox” arises because most sunscreens are UVB-biased, block burning but not deeper-penetrating UVA, and even contain anti-inflammatory agents that mask redness.

The Australian Sunscreen Council (ASC) notes today’s ABC News report that Ultra Violette has withdrawn its Lean Screen product after additional testing returned SPF results ranging from 4 to 64, well below the label claim in several tests.

On 8 July 2025 the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) published a 19‑page pre‑meeting notice proposing new Schedule 5 (CAUTION) listings for three petro‑chemical sunscreen ingredients: homosalate, oxybenzone (benzophenone‑3) and benzophenone.