Australia’s sunscreen “safety” and “reef friendly” claims are entering a higher-risk era. With Federal Court proceedings involving Cancer Council Australia, AICIS recommending Poisons scheduling for homosalate, and regulators unable to set a safe dose for 4-MBC, brands using 4-MBC, homosalate or oxybenzone—and any brand making broad safety or environmental claims—should urgently review both formulation choices and marketing language.

Industry leaders and union representatives attend the Australian Sunscreen Council’s discussion on SPF testing and sunscreen ingredient safety, led by Dr Yousuf Mohammed and Dr Rocky Chowdhury.

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.