Sunscreen ingredients

Sunscreens that we regulate (therapeutic sunscreens) are generally included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) via the low risk, listed medicine pathway. They also have an AUST L number on the label.

Listed therapeutic sunscreens are included in the ARTG without a pre-market evaluation. These sunscreens can only contain ingredients from our pre-approved list of permitted ingredients. We call this list the Permissible Ingredients Determination. You can search the list to see all approved sunscreen ingredients and any restrictions that apply to the use of these ingredients.

A number of the ingredients that can be included in therapeutic sunscreens were included in therapeutic goods supplied in Australia before the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 came into operation. These ingredients were assessed to have an established safety profile based on prior regulatory oversight and a long history of safe human use. Since then, all new ingredients have undergone a safety assessment by us. If a person wishes to include an ingredient that is not currently approved for use in listed medicines, the substance must be evaluated by us before such use is permitted.

We review ingredients used in sunscreens to maintain the highest standards of quality, safety and efficacy for sunscreens in the Australian market.

We monitor international developments in sunscreen safety and prioritise our ingredient reviews by considering the use of the ingredient in sunscreen products marketed in Australia. 

Our review of 7 ingredients used in sunscreens

In July 2025 we published:

• Safety review of 7 active sunscreen ingredients
• Safety review of benzophenone.

What we found

No changes to the rules for 5 ingredients are required.

We are proposing changes to the rules around 3 ingredients to reduce the quantities permitted in sunscreens:

• Homosalate and oxybenzone are active ingredients that can potentially be absorbed through the skin and may cause harmful effects if used in high concentrations, over large areas and over an extended amount of time.
• Benzophenone is not a permitted ingredient, but a substance that may potentially be formed in the manufacturing process or from incorrect storage conditions (this is called a degradant). It has possible carcinogenic risks, and its levels should be limited in products.

We consulted with the public on proposed scheduling changes to lower the permitted level of these ingredients.

The proposal to restrict the quantities of these ingredients in sunscreens is a precautionary measure based on potential signals from animal data studies, not human studies, when animals were exposed to these chemicals in high doses and for long periods of time, which is far beyond the amount that humans would be exposed to.

The interim decision on these ingredients will be published and subject to public consultation in early 2026. If these proposals go ahead, the quantities of these ingredients in  sunscreen products will need to be reduced within a certain period of time.

Our current review

We are currently reviewing the safety of the active ingredient 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC) but are yet to make a recommendation. We will publish the outcome of this review when it is finalised, as per previous reviews, in the interest of providing transparency for Australian consumers.

We are aware of several social media and other marketing campaigns that promote zinc-based sunscreens over chemical-based sunscreens. These campaigns often present incomplete and alarmist narratives about sunscreen ingredients. We have concerns regarding the potential for misinformation which can cause unwarranted fear in consumers around using chemical-based sunscreens.

All sunscreens are made from chemicals, but they work in different ways depending on their active ingredients:

• mineral sunscreens (also called physical sunscreens) use the chemicals zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as their active ingredients to protect the skin by reflecting or scattering UV rays
• chemical sunscreens include ingredients that absorb UV rays and convert them into heat energy, which is then released from the skin.

Both mineral and chemical sunscreen ingredients protect against the harmful effects of UV radiation and offer advantages and disadvantages. For example, mineral sunscreens may be gentler on the skin but can feel thicker and heavier. Chemical sunscreens are generally more lightweight and non-greasy.

We recommend that consumers choose the product that they prefer, as you are likely to use it more frequently.

Nanoparticles are tiny particles that are so small you need a specialised microscope to see them. Some sunscreens use nanoparticles of the mineral ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Some people worry that nanoparticles might be absorbed into the body and be harmful, but research shows they are safe when used as directed. In 2017, we reviewed studies on the safety of nanoparticles in sunscreens. The evidence shows they don’t go deep into your skin. Even if a small amount does get through, it’s so tiny that it’s very unlikely to cause harm.

Get tips on how to use sunscreen or how to choose a sunscreen.

• Sunscreen regulation - learn more about sunscreen regulation in Australia.
• How to use sunscreen - find tips for applying sunscreen correctly how to use sunscreen.
• Sun safety advice - for more ways to protect yourself from the sun, visit Sun Safety on the Cancer Council website. 

• Health advice - if you need health advice or to speak to a registered nurse, visit Healthdirect Australia.
• Report a problem - if you've had a problem with a sunscreen like a skin reaction, you can report it to us.
• Contact us - for general enquiries about sunscreens, contact us.