We continue to receive calls and emails about our safe sunscreen guide. Sadly, we have not issued one for this summer because we still haven't found a non-nano sunscreen that we can recommend to the public.
To make matters worse some companies are lying and claiming to be non-nano when they aren't. And the ACCC have made it clear they don't intend to do anything about it!
Last year we tested a range of brands that claimed to be non-nano, with the hope of finding a product that we could recommend to the public. Unfortunately all the brands we tested contained a high percentage of nanoparticles. This leaves us in the difficult position of not currently being able to recommend any sunscreen brands to the public - but that is not to say we recommend people not using sunscreen! Check here for further information.
There are a number of overseas brands that claim to be non-nano - including Badger Balm, Kabana, Marie Veronique and Biosolis but we have yet to independently validate these companies' claims so aren't really in a position to recommend them.
We will continue to research potential options and are hopeful that we will have some brands that we can recommend in the near future.
In the meantime, given the uncertainty over what to slop on your skin, we strongly advise people to closely follow the SunSmart guidelines:
· Slip on sun-protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible
· Slop on SPF30+ sunscreen – make sure it is broad spectrum and water resistant.
· Slap on a hat that protects your face, head, neck and ears
· Seek shade
· Slide on sunglasses – make sure they meet Australian Standards.
Check here for our report on nano materials in sunscreens and the need for regulation.
http://nano.foe.org.au/sites/default/files/Nano-ingredients%20in%20sunsc...