Sunscreen Wars: Latest Trends and Innovations
- In Australia, we are exposed to some of the harshest and most risky levels of ultraviolet radiation (UV) in the world, so many of us know how...
- Excessive UV exposure can cause sunburn,eye damage,irreversible skin damage,accelerate skin aging, and lead to skin cancer in the long term.
- But you may have seen that in 2025, several sunscreens were recalled or canceled.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain
In Australia, we are exposed to some of the harshest and most risky levels of ultraviolet radiation (UV) in the world, so many of us know how significant high SPF sunscreen is.
Excessive UV exposure can cause sunburn,eye damage,irreversible skin damage,accelerate skin aging, and lead to skin cancer in the long term.
But you may have seen that in 2025, several sunscreens were recalled or canceled. So why did this happen and where does this leave us now?
The study showed that some sunscreens that claimed to be SPF 50 were tested as SPF 4 to 5 by several autonomous labs.
Even subsequent requested testing revealed that SPF indexes in these products were wildly inconsistent, ranging from an incredibly low 4 up to SPF 64.
After the findings were published, the TGA began investigating and is raising concerns about 20 other Australian sunscreens using the same base formulation.
As of Yes, you should continue applying sunscreen
Table of Contents Before we go on, let’s make one thing clear-yes, you absolutely should still be wearing SPF50 sunscreen, and scientific evidence is clear and undeniable-any sunscreen is better than no sunscreen. There is still a huge range on our supermarket shelves,and the prudent removal from the TGA of some should not become an excuse to stop wearing any. There are two main types of sunscreens: mineral and chemical. Both protect as effectively from UV. chemical sunscreens are light, transparent, and easy to blend, while mineral sunscreens can be thicker and leave a white cast. ultimately, the choice of sunscreen will depend on your personal preferences, level of physical activity and cosmetic need. But the best sunscreen is the one you will wear daily, properly, and reapply. Here are a few things to remember as we move beyond the “sunscreen wars” and into the hottest part of the year. The SPF is not a time factor. SPF quantifies only UVB radiation (think B for burn). While an SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays and an SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays, this modest difference in protection index is meaningful during extended sun exposure. The higher SPF rating, the better. Broad-spectrum sunscreen contains other filters that protect against UVB and UVA (think A for aging). SunSmart and Cancer Council Australia A new drug, donanemab, considerably slowed cognitive and functional decline in individuals with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease in a large clinical trial, according to research published on January 9, 2026, in the Journal of the American Medical Association.The trial,conducted by researchers at the University of Melbourne and other institutions,offers a potential new treatment option for the debilitating disease. The Phase 3 TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2 trial involved 1,736 participants with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease and confirmed amyloid and tau pathology. Participants received either donanemab or a placebo intravenously every four weeks for 18 months. The trial also revealed potential safety risks associated with donanemab. Approximately 24.2% of participants receiving donanemab experienced amyloid-related imaging abnormalities-edema (ARIA-E),a brain swelling condition. A smaller percentage, 7.3%, experienced amyloid-related imaging abnormalities-hemorrhage (ARIA-H), or brain bleeding. Source: JAMA These ARIA events were generally mild to moderate in severity,but required monitoring and,in some cases,temporary discontinuation of treatment. Two deaths were attributed to ARIA-E during the trial. Eli Lilly, the pharmaceutical company developing donanemab, has submitted a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for accelerated approval. A decision is expected in the coming months. The FDA granted donanemab Breakthrough Therapy designation in June 2021. Source: FDA Researchers emphasize that donanemab is not a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but it represents a significant step forward in the advancement of treatments that can slow the progression of the disease in it’s early stages. Early diagnosis and intervention will be crucial for maximizing the potential benefits of this and other emerging therapies.your sun safe checklist
Trial Results
Safety Concerns
Next Steps