Discover why Australian sunscreens are going viral.
Learn about strict TGA regulations, the AUST L number, and why SPF50+ is a must under Australia’s harsh sun.
Australian SPFs, Regulations and why they’re popular
Australian SPFs have gone TikTok viral on repeat - but why are they worth the hype?
It's hard to miss how excited everyone is about Australian sunscreen - and we’re happy to confirm it’s for really good reasons.
Aussie founded, formulated and owned, Naked Sundays recently launched in the US, creating an absolute stir across TikTok and Instagram.
You may have heard this on repeat: “Australian SPFs are the best in the world.”
In this write-up we're going to explore some of the reasons why people are obsessed with our SPFs.
What regulations do Australian sunscreens need to meet?
In Australia, sunscreens are considered a therapeutic good and are regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
In other countries, sunscreens can be considered cosmetics, or have more relaxed labels. For example, in the UK where they’re considered a personal care product, there are more relaxed regulations.
The strict regulation impacts how a sunscreen is tested, how it’s made (like what ingredients and UV filters are used) as well as how it’s labelled.
Just Some of The Testing Standards in Australia Include:
- SPF testing - Products must meet performance standards after exposure to water, sweat, and UV light.
- All Australian SPFs have to be broad spectrum when over SPF30 - Note: At Naked Sundays we’ve made the conscious decision to only create SPF50 and above. You can read more about why we think that’s important here.
- Broad-spectrum protection - Sunscreens must protect against both UVA and UVB rays.
- Stability (How long a product lasts and works for) - Products must remain effective under various environmental conditions for a specified time.
- Labeling and packaging - Sunscreen labels must provide clear information about SPF, water resistance, and proper application instructions.
What is an AUST L Number on Sunscreen and Where do I Find it?
Most sunscreens are classified as therapeutic goods and are listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) with an AUST L (Australian Listing) number. This number indicates that the product complies with Australian standards for sunscreens.
You can find the AUST L number written clearly on every sunscreen that’s been tested and approved by the ATGA.
The AUST L number is located clearly on all sunscreen packaging that’s been regulated by the ATGA.
Why are Australian sunscreen standards so strict?
So, why are our standards so intense? There’s plenty of good reasons.
Australia has the highest levels of skin cancer in the world, with more than 2 of 3 Aussies getting skin cancer.
Founder of Naked Sundays, Samantha Brett is educating the next generation about skin cancer prevention.
There are a few factors that contribute to our high skin cancer rates. Let’s walk through some of the main reasons.
Aussies, check your spots! Australia has the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. You can check your spots at home.
Aussies love the beach
With large parts of the Australian population living on the coast, Australia has a strong beach culture.
The beach can introduce a few factors that leave Australians at higher risk.
The severity of our harsh Aussie sun, extended hours in the water, mixed with sun, salt, sweat and towelling can create the perfect storm for sun damage.
It’s important to enjoy our time in the sun in a safe way, and that’s why wearing and reapplying sunscreen in accordance to packaging suggestions is essential, alongside multiple forms of sun protection.
Our Sun is Stronger
Australia has scorching hot summers, with our hottest day on record reaching 49.6 °C (that’s 121.28°F for our American readers).
The UV index is a way to rate the strength of UVB rays on any given day. Australia rarely has a UV index rating under 3.
Our UV rating reaches 14+ regularly in summer, and it’s recommended to use sunscreen and sun protection measures when the UV is 3 or above.
Australia’s UV rating barely reaches below 3 on a handful of Winter days - so we need sun protection all year round.
Why Isn’t there SPF100 in Australia?
So with our clear sunscreen needs, why isn’t there SPF100?
Australian regulation does not allow SPF ratings higher than SPF50+ to be listed on sunscreen products.
This is because:
- Higher SPF values (e.g., SPF100) can give a false sense of security, leading to not applying enough or remembering to reapply.
- SPF50+ blocks over 98% of UVB rays, and with proper reapplication provides excellent sun protection. Did you know? For a sunscreen product to be classified as SPF50+ it must provide at least SPF60 or more in testing.
- The focus for sun protection is on proper use (applying the right amount and reapplying regularly), alongside other forms of sun protection - which is more important than an excessively high SPF.
Embed post: https://www.instagram.com/labmuffinbeautyscience/p/CTmfWIXJ8Qj/.
What types of Australian SPF are best for outdoor activities?
For outdoor activities that include sun, sweat and maybe sand: opt for a water resistant SPF and use multiple forms of sun protection.
You can check out our full range of water resistant sunscreens here.
What is the best Australian Sunscreen?
Because of lots of the factors that the Australian climate provides like salt water intense on and sand as well as an outdoor culture it's great to use water as a Sinners here outside some people prefer to using based SPF on
Outdoor culture is embedded in our Australian lifestyle. As our climate consists of various elements like harsh sun, salt water and rugged bushland, it’s great to use SPF50 Body Sunscreen that covers all bases when spending time outside.
Day to day, opt for a sunscreen that you enjoy using. You can take into consideration formulation and UV filters, like Mineral vs Chemical.
Our most popular ranges are:
Disclaimer
ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. Wear protective clothing, a hat, and eyewear when exposed to the sun. Avoid prolonged sun exposure and reapply sunscreen frequently.