Some sunscreens in European countries and elsewhere have SPF ratings much higher than 30+, for example SPF 60 and even SPF 100, so why are there no such sunscreens available for sale in Australia?
Firstly, SPF testing protocols are, unfortunately, not universal. Therefore SPF ratings on UK/EU sunscreens cannot be compared directly with SPF ratings of Australian/NZ sunscreens. The SPF rating for Australian/NZ sunscreens is determined ‘post immersion’ using an Australian standard method which subjects the sunscreen to the SPF test after it is applied to the skin AND after immersion in turbulent water under controlled standard conditions. On the other hand, UK/EU SPF test protocol is ‘pre immersion’, which means that the sunscreen is SPF tested, without the skin surface that has had the sunscreen applied to it, being immersed in turbulent water BEFORE the SPF test. In other words the Australian SPF test protocol is more robust than the UK/EU procedure and more relevant to Australian conditions. Secondly, there is concern among Cancer Councils and other health promotion bodies in Australia/NZ that the raising of claimable SPF greater than the current 30+ numeral designation may give
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