Warning over popular Aussie sunscreen after 'defect' identified

A popular Aussie sunscreen brand has flagged an error in its direction for use instructions, forcing the Australian government to send an urgent update to users.

Bondi Sands Everyday Protection SPF 50 plus sunscreen mist incorrectly indicated users could spray the product directly on their face, however, it is advised no aerosol sunscreens should be sprayed directly onto the face due to the associated health risks.

Accidental inhalation can cause irritation of the nose, mouth and throat as well as coughing and sneezing. Instead, the Department of Health and Age Care strongly recommends users to spray the sunscreen onto their hands first before applying to their face.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration issued a Product Defect Correction on Monday about the sunscreen, urging customers not to directly spray the sunscreen on their faces.

Cancer Council urges Aussie against aerosol sunscreens

There has been an increase in the number of aerosol sunscreens in the market and Aussies are opting for this more convenient and time-efficient form of sun protection. However, authority organisations such as Cancer Council, as well as Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), are urging people to be wary.

Research conducted in 2021 suggested application efficiency of aerosol sunscreens is lower, when compared to sunscreen lotions, due to environment factors such as wind resulting in much of the product not making it onto the users skin post-spray.

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It is believed up to 93 per cent of the sunscreen was lost post-spray in winds of 20 km/h — a typical wind condition experienced on Aussie beaches.

This means many Aussies are not protecting themselves against UV radiation despite believing they are — and they may be spraying away their money in the process.

“We strongly urge Australians to use sunscreen lotions and creams instead of aerosols, as they provide easier application, more coverage, and longer-lasting protection," Dr Rick Tinker, Director of Assessment and Advice for ARPANSA said in a statement. "They are applied straight to the skin and are often rubbed into the skin upon application."

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