With temperatures soaring in parts of Australia today, plenty of people will be slathering on sunscreen – but what should you do if the bottle in your beach bag has been recalled?

More than 20 sunscreens have been pulled from shelves over SPF claim concerns, according to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Here’s a full list of the recalled sunscreens, what to do if you own one, and how to get a refund.

Own one of the recalled sunscreens? Here’s how to get your money back. (Graphic: Polly Hanning)

Sunscreens that have been recalled in Australia

Ultra Violette’s Lean Screen SPF 50+ sunscreen was one of the first to be pulled from shelves in August.

Since then, the following sunscreens have been recalled as they use the same base formulation:

Aspect Sun Physical Sun Protection SPF50+Aspect Sun Tinted Physical SPF50+Aesthetics Rx Ultra Protection Sunscreen SPF50+People4Ocean SPF50+ Mineral Bioactive Shield Lightly Tinted Cream (10g and 45g)BEAUTI-FLTR Lustre Mineral SPF 50+ Illuminating Facial SunscreenMCoBeauty SPF 50+ Mineral Mattifying SunscreenOutside Beauty & Skincare SPF 50+ Mineral PrimerSalus SPF 50+ Daily Facial SunscreenThe two most recent sunscreens pulled off shelves amid SPF concerns. (TGA)

Additional sunscreens using the same base formulation have voluntarily cancelled their listing on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) and are under review by the TGA.

They include the following: 

New Day Skin Good Vibes Sunscreen SPF50+New Day Skin Happy Days Sunscreen SPF50+Beauti-FLTR Lustre Mineral SPF50+GlindaWand The Fountain of Youth Environmental Defence Cream SPF50+

Some sunscreens have paused supply in Australia and are also under review by the TGA.

They include the following: 

Found My Skin SPF 50+ Tinted Face/Body CreamEthical Zinc Daily Wear Light SunscreenEthical Zinc Daily Wear Tinted Facial Sunscreen (Dark)Ethical Zinc Daily Wear Tinted Facial Sunscreen (Light)Endota Mineral Protect SPF50 SunscreenWe are Feel Good Inc Mineral Sunscreen SPF50+Naked Sundays Collagen Glow Mineral Sunscreen

Allganics Light Sunscreen SPF50+ has not been recalled, cancelled or paused but is under review by the TGA.

A number of products with the same base formulation as Ultra Violette’s Lean Screen SPF 50+ sunscreen have been recalled. (Instagram/@ultravioletteau)

Why are sunscreens being recalled in Australia?

Sunscreen products are being pulled from shelves due to concerns that their SPF may actually be lower than advertised.

That could increase the risk of sunburn when using a product and reduce the long-term effectiveness of preventing skin cancer.

Many of the recalled products use the same base formulation from manufacturer Wild Child Laboratories.

This is the same base used in Ultra Violette’s Lean Screen SPF 50+ sunscreen, which reportedly returned an SPF rating of just 4 in Choice’s independent testing.

The TGA also expressed concerns about UK-based testing company Princeton Consumer Research (PCR Corp).

A number of Australian sunscreen brands have used PCR Corp for SPF testing, including Ultra Violette.

The TGA is “considering whether to take regulatory action” with regard to SPF claim concerns.

The TGA is “considering whether to take regulatory action” with regard to some affected sunscreens. (Getty)

How does sunscreen testing work?

SPF, which stands for sun protection factor, is a measurement of how well a product protects your skin against ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.

The higher the rating, the better and more long-lasting the protection.

SPF is measured by testing a product on human skin and measuring how long it takes to burn.

The TGA is not responsible for testing sunscreen sold here in Australia; that responsibility falls to individual sunscreen brands.

They send their products to accredited laboratories, many of which are overseas, for testing.

Testing involves applying the product to a person’s skin and exposing them to a solar simulator that imitates sunlight.

The lab measures how long it takes the skin to react where the product has been applied and where it has not, then compares the data.

Per the international standard for sunscreen testing, a product must be tested on at least 10 volunteers to calculate a product’s SPF accurately.

The SPF is the mean (average) of the SPF from each valid test.

Results can vary between different labs, often due to human error.

The TGA is not responsible for testing sunscreen sold here in Australia. (Getty)

What to do if you have a recalled sunscreen

If you already own one of the sunscreens that have been recalled, you may be entitled to a refund.

The TGA advises consumers to return the product to the place you purchased it, then contact the sponsor (the brand behind the sunscreen) for a refund.

A full list of recalled sunscreens and sponsor contact details can be found on the TGA website here.

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