SunscreenFilters

Oxybenzone in Australian sunscreens

Updated

Keep using sunscreen. The TGA says its benefits far outweigh any risks, and nothing here says a product is unsafe: the limits are proposals.

Oxybenzone, also called benzophenone-3, is a UV filter many brands have already dropped. Industry told the TGA it isn’t used in sunscreens on sale now, though some entries on the register still list it. In July 2025 the TGA proposed lower limits as a precaution.

On the register today, 27 sunscreens of the 938 we list contain oxybenzone, from 1% to 6% (the middle product has 3%).

What the TGA has proposed

OptionWhat it would allowLimit
1 1% or less in any sunscreen 1%
2 2.5% or less, and only in sunscreens for the face and hands 2.5%
3 9.8% or less, and only in face and hand sunscreens for people 18 and over 9.8%

Today’s maximum in listed sunscreens: 10%. Source: the TGA’s consultation (8 July 2025 to 12 August 2025). Interim decision due by the end of 2026.

How the products compare

  • Option 1 25 above, 0 depend on use, 2 within
  • Option 2 19 above, 5 depend on use, 3 within
  • Option 3 1 above, 26 depend on use, 0 within
  • Within at or under the proposed limit
  • Depends on use under it, but the option only covers face and hand (or adult) products
  • Above over it

Every sunscreen with oxybenzone, highest first

  • SunSeal by Microskin SPF 50+ Sunscreen Blonde Holdings · SPF 50+ · lotion Homosalate 10%, Octocrylene 8%, Oxybenzone 6%, Octisalate 5%, Avobenzone 3% Homosalate 10%, above all three TGA proposed limitsOxybenzone 6%, within option 3 only if it’s an adult face and hand product
  • Bondi Sands SPF30 Aloe Vera Sunscreen Spray Bondi Sands · SPF 30 · spray Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5%, Avobenzone 4%, Oxybenzone 4%, Octocrylene 2% Homosalate 10%, above all three TGA proposed limitsOxybenzone 4%, above all three TGA proposed limits
  • Fleur De Mer Sunscreen in Foundation Cream SPF 50 Light Fleur De Mer · SPF 50 · cream Face Octinoxate 7%, Octocrylene 6%, Avobenzone 5%, Oxybenzone 4% Oxybenzone 4%, within option 3 only if it’s an adult face and hand product
  • Fleur De Mer Sunscreen in Foundation Cream SPF 50 Medium Fleur De Mer · SPF 50 · cream Face Octinoxate 7%, Octocrylene 6%, Avobenzone 5%, Oxybenzone 4% Oxybenzone 4%, within option 3 only if it’s an adult face and hand product
  • Fleur De Mer Sunscreen in Foundation Cream SPF 50 Soft Medium Fleur De Mer · SPF 50 · cream Face Octinoxate 7%, Octocrylene 6%, Avobenzone 5%, Oxybenzone 4% Oxybenzone 4%, within option 3 only if it’s an adult face and hand product
  • EAORON Sunscreen PRO SPF50+ n United Pharmaceuticals · SPF 50+ · cream Octocrylene 7%, Oxybenzone 3%, Avobenzone 2.5%, Ensulizole 2% Oxybenzone 3%, within option 3 only if it’s an adult face and hand product
  • Fleur De Mer Cosmeceuticals Very High Protection Sunscreen SPF 50+ Fleur De Mer · SPF 50+ · cream Octocrylene 7%, Oxybenzone 3%, Avobenzone 2.5%, Ensulizole 2% Oxybenzone 3%, within option 3 only if it’s an adult face and hand product
  • Manola SPF 50+ Sun Shield Manola · SPF 50+ · cream Octocrylene 7%, Oxybenzone 3%, Avobenzone 2.5%, Ensulizole 2% Oxybenzone 3%, within option 3 only if it’s an adult face and hand product
  • Premax Sports Sunscreen SPF50+ Premax · SPF 50+ · lotion Homosalate 10%, Octocrylene 5%, Octisalate 5%, Avobenzone 3.5%, Oxybenzone 3% Homosalate 10%, above all three TGA proposed limitsOxybenzone 3%, within option 3 only if it’s an adult face and hand product
  • Protection Plus Daily SPF50+ Broad Spectrum Cream International Waters · SPF 50+ · cream Octocrylene 7%, Oxybenzone 3%, Avobenzone 2.5%, Ensulizole 2% Oxybenzone 3%, within option 3 only if it’s an adult face and hand product
  • Results Skin Active Protect SPF 50+ Results Laser Clinic · SPF 50+ · cream Octocrylene 7%, Oxybenzone 3%, Avobenzone 2.5%, Ensulizole 2% Oxybenzone 3%, within option 3 only if it’s an adult face and hand product
  • Serve and Protect Dermaenergy · SPF 50+ · cream Octocrylene 7%, Oxybenzone 3%, Avobenzone 2.5%, Ensulizole 2% Oxybenzone 3%, within option 3 only if it’s an adult face and hand product
  • Skin Guardian Natural-Matte Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ Sunscreen Napoleon Perdis Cosmetics · SPF 50+ · cream Octocrylene 7%, Oxybenzone 3%, Avobenzone 2.5%, Ensulizole 2% Oxybenzone 3%, within option 3 only if it’s an adult face and hand product
  • SPF 50+ UV Protection Sun Cream Careline · SPF 50+ · cream Octocrylene 7%, Oxybenzone 3%, Avobenzone 2.5%, Ensulizole 2% Oxybenzone 3%, within option 3 only if it’s an adult face and hand product
  • Sun- Stop Broad Spectrum SPF30+ Sunscreen UAS Pharmaceuticals · SPF 30 · lotion Octinoxate ≈7.5% w/v, Oxybenzone ≈3% w/v, Zinc oxide ≈7% w/v Oxybenzone ≈3% w/v, within option 3 only if it’s an adult face and hand product
  • Sunstop SPF30 Sunscreen UAS Pharmaceuticals · SPF 30 · cream Octinoxate ≈7.5% w/v, Oxybenzone ≈3% w/v, Zinc oxide ≈7% w/v Oxybenzone ≈3% w/v, within option 3 only if it’s an adult face and hand product
  • Sunstop SPF50+ UAS Pharmaceuticals · SPF 50+ · cream DHHB 10%, Octinoxate 10%, Zinc oxide 7%, Oxybenzone 3%, Ethylhexyl triazone 2% Oxybenzone 3%, within option 3 only if it’s an adult face and hand product
  • Super Screen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ Sunspot Products · SPF 50+ · cream Octocrylene 7%, Oxybenzone 3%, Avobenzone 2.5%, Ensulizole 2% Oxybenzone 3%, within option 3 only if it’s an adult face and hand product
  • tbh. skin shady face moisturiser York St Brands · SPF 50+ · cream Face Octocrylene 7%, Oxybenzone 3%, Avobenzone 2.5%, Ensulizole 2% Oxybenzone 3%, within option 3 only if it’s an adult face and hand product
  • Chemists' Own Dry Touch Sunscreen Lotion SPF50+ Chemists’ Own · SPF 50+ · lotion Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 3%, Octocrylene 3%, Octisalate 3%, Oxybenzone 2% Homosalate 3%, above all three TGA proposed limitsOxybenzone 2%, within options 2 and 3 only if it’s an adult face and hand product
  • PROBLOC Sunscreen SPF50+ Paramount Safety Products · SPF 50+ · lotion Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 3%, Octocrylene 3%, Octisalate 3%, Oxybenzone 2% Homosalate 3%, above all three TGA proposed limitsOxybenzone 2%, within options 2 and 3 only if it’s an adult face and hand product
  • Clearskincare Sunscreen SPF 30+ CSC Products · SPF 30 · cream Octocrylene 7%, Avobenzone 2%, Ensulizole 2%, Oxybenzone 1.5% Oxybenzone 1.5%, within options 2 and 3 only if it’s an adult face and hand product
  • ClearSkinCare Sunscreen SPF 30+ CSC Products · SPF 30 · cream Octocrylene 5%, Ensulizole 2%, Oxybenzone 1.5%, Avobenzone 1% Oxybenzone 1.5%, within options 2 and 3 only if it’s an adult face and hand product
  • Clearskincare Sunscreen SPF30 CSC Products · SPF 30 · cream Octocrylene 7%, Avobenzone 2%, Ensulizole 2%, Oxybenzone 1.5% Oxybenzone 1.5%, within options 2 and 3 only if it’s an adult face and hand product
  • To Save Face SPF 30 Facial Sunscreen Mecca Cosmetica Mecca Cosmetica · SPF 30 · cream Face Octocrylene 5%, Ensulizole 2%, Oxybenzone 1.5%, Avobenzone 1% Oxybenzone 1.5%, within option 2
  • Blistex Ultra Lip Balm Blistex · SPF 50+ · stick, lip Lips Octinoxate 3%, Avobenzone 2.5%, DHHB 2.4%, Bemotrizinol 1%, Oxybenzone 1% Oxybenzone 1%, within options 1 and 2
  • SUNSENSE Lip Balm SPF 50+ SunSense · SPF 50+ · ointment Lips Octinoxate 3%, Avobenzone 2.5%, DHHB 2.4%, Bemotrizinol 1%, Oxybenzone 1%, Titanium dioxide 0.84% Oxybenzone 1%, within options 1 and 2

Worried about an ingredient, or choosing for a baby or someone with sensitive skin? Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Questions

Is oxybenzone allowed in Australian sunscreens?

Yes, up to 10% in listed sunscreens today. The TGA has proposed 1% in any sunscreen, 2.5% in face and hand products, or 9.8% in adult face and hand products, with an interim decision due by the end of 2026.

How many Australian sunscreens contain oxybenzone?

27 of the 938 sunscreens we list name it as an active ingredient.