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ICON DECODER

COMPANY RATINGS
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Note: Ratings are based on company record, including parent companies. They are not a comment on the product itself.
> more about ratings

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Sunscreen

The Guide > Personal Care > Toiletries > Sunscreen 

    Industry Alert: Nanotechnology

Nanoparticles in sunscreen

Physical sunscreens use titanium dioxide to reflect UV rays. This is manufactured using a chlorine process that releases harmful dioxins into the atmosphere. These don't breakdown but accumulate up the food chain and have been linked to cancer. Scientific studies have shown that the use of 'nanoparticle' ingredients can produce free radicals and damage DNA, especially when exposed to UV light, and can result in serious skin damage. Other sunscreens are chemically based, absorbing rays. These have been criticised as leading to pollution of aquatic zones as they come off in water.  [EWG]
  • Avoid ingredients linked to skin damage - padimate O & avobenzone; and chemicals that can mess with hormones - benzophenone, oxybenzone, homosalate & octyl methoxycinnamate.
  • Learn more about the use of nanoparticles in Australian sunscreens at Friends of the Earth's Emerging Tech Project.  [FOE]
  • A 2016 report by the Therapeutic Goods Administration stated "neither titanium dioxide nor zinc oxide nanoparticles are likely to cause harm when used as ingredients in sunscreens. The report showed that nano particles in sunscreens were unlikely to penetrate the the skin.  [Therapeutic Goods Administration]
BRAND COMPANY OWNED RATING
Cancer Council  Vitality Brands   Australian Owned  Praises, no criticism1
Bondi Sands  Bondi Sands   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Le Tan  Heritage Brands   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Hamilton  Key Pharmaceuticals   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Clear Zinke  Key Sun   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Auscreen  Ross Cosmetics   Australian Owned  No rating3
Sun Zapper  Sun Zapper   Australian Owned  No rating3
Sun Sense  Ego Pharmaceuticals   Australian Owned  Praises, some criticism4
Ombra  Aldi Australia   (Aldi South) GER  Praises, some criticism4
Nivea  Beiersdorf Australia   (maxingvest) GER  Praises, some criticism4
Banana Boat  Edgewell Australia   (Edgewell) USA  Praises, some criticism4
Invisible Zinc  iNova   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Reef  iNova   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Aquasun  PharmaCare   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Natural Instinct  Mentholatum Australasia   (Rohto Pharmaceutical) JPN  Criticism, some praise5
Neutrogena  Johnson & Johnson Pacific   (Johnson & Johnson) USA  Criticisms6



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