'That doesn't exist': GP highlights common sunscreen mistake in light of SPF scandal

Coming into the summer months with a sunscreen scandal has left many of us wondering what to look for in a sunscreen – and how else to protect our skin.

A Choice magazine investigation into SPF claims from a long list of popular Australian brands sparked a Choice magazine investigation into SPF claims, resulting in a number of sunscreens being taken off the market.

The news may leave customers wondering 'is it even worth using it?' or 'should I even bother?'

According to GP Dr Ginni Mansberg, the old 'Slip, Slop, Slap' is more poignant than ever.

Mansberg, who used to co-host Channel 9's Embarrassing Bodies Down Under, says just relying on SPF is an all too common mistake Aussies can make.

"There is no sunscreen that's not going to let anything through, that doesn't exist," Mansberg told nine.com.au.

The GP, who is also the founder of brand Evidence Skincare (ESK), adds there's "no sunscreen that's as good as staying out of the sun between 11am and 3pm".

"You need a hat, you need shade."

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"I know people are saying, 'Oh, we should have a little bit of vitamin D', and we definitely should, and it is on the UVB spectrum, it's not on the UVA spectrum.

"But if you have fair skin, if you burn easily, if you have blue eyes, if you have freckles, if you have red hair, if you have a family history of melanoma, if you yourself have had a skin cancer cut out, don't risk it.

"Just get out of the sun between 11am and 3pm and wear a hat. Don't rely on a sunscreen to do it all – it's just too big a job."

However, the GP notes even some SPF protection is better than none, so "not using sunscreen" in light of the TGA investigation isn't the answer.

Some brands who had advertised SPF levels of 50+ returned results in the Choice test of SPF 4 but experts say, even SPF 2 blocks approximately 50 per cent of UVB rays.

At SPF 4, that increases to 75 per cent of UVB rays blocked and up to 90 per cent at SPF 10. This means some coverage is far superior to no coverage.

Mansberg is hopeful the current situation will result in big changes across the industry and more accountability.

"I think everybody's learned a lot," Mansberg said.

"I think that this whole episode, with the TGA being involved, will tighten up regulation and maybe this needed to happen.

"Who I feel sorry for are people who, in good faith, applied sunscreen and got burnt and put themselves at risk of skin cancer down the track.

"I don't know what to say to those people because they were doing what they were told to do.

"They were obeying and buying the whole idea that it's very important to have on sunscreen."

You can get full and updated details around the TGA's sunscreen testing here.

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