Why Australian sunscreens are considered superior – and the best formulas available here
The best body sunscreen, as with facial SPF, is a very personal choice. Ultimately, the most effective one for you is the one you’ll actually wear. “A sunscreen you don't enjoy wearing is a sunscreen that will stay on your shelf unused,” notes cosmetic chemist and beauty science educator Michelle Wong. And no one needs that.
We know why sunscreen is so important: it protects against the threat of skin cancer caused by episodes of sunburn and sun exposure. Plus, it helps prevent prevent visible ageing, including the breakdown of collagen leading to sagging of the skin and wrinkling, and pigmentation issues such as dark spots and melasma (mottled darkening of the skin on the face).
We also know that sunscreen formulas are becoming increasingly advanced; it’s no longer necessary to settle for those that clog pores, leave grey-white casts, or don't pair well with make-up. Indeed, there’s innovation in the sunscreen category happening all the time. Take La Roche-Posay’s weightless Anthelios Invisible Fluid, last year reformulated with the Mexoryl 400 filter, the first of its kind to effectively protect against long UVA rays, which damage the collagen structures. Or Sisley’s souped-up All Day All Year, a luxe shield that activates the skin’s daily self-defence barriers. Then on there's The Inkey List's new Polyglutamic Acid Dewy Sunscreen, which boasts an eight per cent hydration trio of polyglutamic acid, glycerin and squalane to truly feel like a skincare treat not chore, and Celltweet's Sunshine Cushion SPF 50+, which harnesses bio-technology making for hybrid sun protection and skin renewal in one convenient compact.
But you may have also heard that it’s where an SPF hails from that can dictate its efficacy – specifically when it comes to the regulations surrounding the product's claims. Enter Australian formulations, which are often touted as superior. How so?
“Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, so the Australian government has the strictest requirements for sunscreen,” explains Wong, who hails from Sydney. “It's regulated as a therapeutic good (ergo a drug), which means the manufacturing requirements are higher. Australia also uses the same definition of ‘broad spectrum’ as the EU, which is stricter than the definition used in the US.” ‘Broad-spectrum’ means it shield from both wavelengths of UV light; UVA and UVB.
Wong also explains that: “Additionally, Australia uses the same definition of ‘water resistant’ as the US, which is stricter than the definition used in the EU” – after exposure to water for the labelled period, the sunscreen's SPF has to remain at the labelled number. “In the EU it can drop to half,” she confirms.
Happily, there are many cosmetically elegant Aussie formulas available in the UK. Ultra Violette is one, which helped smash old sunscreen standards when launching with its skincare-rich, sublimely textured offerings. For the face, we love the brand's chemical shield Super Supreme Screen Hydrating Facial Skinscreen SPF50+ which delivers a hydrated satin finish. For oilier or more sensitive skin, look to the equally excellent mineral alternative, Lean Screen Mineral Mattifying SPF 50+, and to top-up throughout the day the brand's new Preen Screen Reapplication Mist with SPF50 is inimitably good. Body-wise, the brand’s Extreme Screen Hydrating Body & Hand Skinscreen leaves limbs glossy without any greasiness.
Naked Sundays is another; its hybrid skincare formulas are loaded with active ingredients in addition to SPF (try the SPF50 Clear Glow Radiant Sun Serum, and the SPF50+ Glow Body Mist). As is Coco & Eve, an Australian Bali-inspired brand (which do a great lightweight Daily Watergel SPF 50+).
Wong rates the sunscreens by Bondi Sands which are also all approved in Australia, “meaning they've passed these high standards designed for Australia's harsh sun”. She says, “The Bondi Sands Sunny Daze SPF 50 Moisturiser is a great zinc oxide-based option for people who are allergic to chemical sunscreens or prefer a tinted product, while the SPF 50+ Fragrance Free Face Sunscreen Lotion is a light textured chemical sunscreen with no white cast that works well for a lot of people”. She also says this is a savvy option for the body. “If you're planning to do a lot of outdoor activity in the sun, you'll want to look for a water-resistant product that can last longer on your skin."
Another reason she calls out the brand is for the products' modest prices, meaning people mightn't skimp on how much they use. “The adage ‘a little goes a long way’ doesn't work with sunscreen! It's a lot like painting – if you don't have enough paint, some parts of the canvas won't get enough coverage,” she explains. “You want to apply around one quarter of a teaspoon for your face alone.” For the body, on average you need over half a teaspoon for each arm and a full teaspoon for each leg, the back and the chest.
Shop some of the best Australian sunscreens available in the UK, below:
You Might Also Like
