DOES SUNSCREEN ACTUALLY WORK?

Experts find several sunscreens share the same 'base formula', with many not delivering the sun protection you'd expect

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It's been a tough time for sunscreens recently. Earlier this year, testing conducted by experts found several sunscreens were not delivering the sun protection you'd expect. One product claimed a sun protection factor (SPF) of 50+, but when tested had an SPF as low as 4.

This triggered a series of events. Some sunscreen manufacturers paused or recalled their products. Other recalls have followed.

Media investigations have alleged issues related to how sunscreens are tested and formulated.

Experts state several sunscreens share a “base formula” made by a single manufacturer. It said preliminary testing had shown some sunscreens made with this base formula may be as low as SPF 4.

It’s no wonder consumers are confused about whether their sunscreens actually work.

Here’s what we know about these tests and what could be behind them.

Why the concern about sunscreen SPF?

Since SPFs were introduced, they have been a clear sign for consumers about how much sun protection to expect.

But testing a product's SPF is tricky. The usual test uses sunscreen on real people's skin, exposes them to ultraviolet (UV) light, and checks how much redness develops over time.

Because people's skin reacts differently, and because labs and testers vary, results can be inconsistent. For instance, products tested at one lab might show a high SPF but might really offer much less protection when tested by another.

A sunscreen with a lower-than-claimed SPF may still offer some protection. But there would be a higher chance of sunburn, DNA damage and developing skin cancer.

What’s a base formula?