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In October 2011 Friends of the Earth
Australias Nanotechnology Project sent
companies questionnaires regarding
the use of manufactured nanoparticles,
chemicals and fragrances in their products.
This guide is based on information received
as of 14th November 2011.
Updates to this guide
are available via
www.nano.foe.org.au
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YOUR GUIDE TO NANO-FREE SUNSCREENS
Sunscreens are an essential part of sun safety.
But some sunscreens sold in Australia have the
potential to cause skin damage. They contain
tiny particles (nanoparticles) which have not
undergone safety testing and are not labelled.
www.nano.foe.org.au
SAFE
SUNSCREEN
GUIDE
SUMMER 2011/2012
INHALATION OR INGESTION OF SUNSCREENS
ANDCOSMETICS IS ALSO A CONCERN
Nanoparticles used in sunscreens, moisturisers and
mineral foundations could also be dangerous if
accidentally inhaled or ingested. Studies have found
that nanoparticles of titanium dioxide caused
inammation of mice lungs. Studies have also
shown that once in the blood stream of pregnant
mice, titanium dioxide nanoparticles can cross the
placenta of pregnant mice and cause behavioural
changes in baby mice.
INTERNATIONAL ACTION TO MANAGE NANO RISKS
New European Union laws will require most
nanoparticles in sunscreens and cosmetics to go
through nano-specic safety testing before being sold.
These products will also face mandatory labelling.
WHAT IS THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT DOING
TO KEEP SUNSCREENS SAFE?
The Australian government does not require
sunscreen or cosmetics companies to test the safety
of nano-ingredients nor to label them. The TGA has
refused to release publicly the names of sunscreen
brands that contain manufactured nanoparticles.
CHEMICAL UV ABSORBERS IN YOUR SUNSCREEN,
MOISTURISER OR MINERAL FOUNDATION
Some UV-absorbing chemicals used in sunscreens
introduce their own risks. Some chemicals cause
skin sensitivity. Others produce free radicals when
exposed to UV light, promote the skin absorption
ofother chemicals, or act as endocrine disruptors.
Many people with sensitive skin prefer to avoid
these chemicals; this guide helps you make an
informed choice.
YOUR PART TO PLAY
Tear of the attached postcard asking for regulatory
reform and send it to the Minister for Health Nicola
Roxon. Or, send your own email or letter.
Email: [email protected]
and cc [email protected]
Postal: PO Box 6022, House of Representatives,
Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600
STAY SUN SAFE!
Use a nano-free zinc-based SPF 30+ broad
spectrum sunscreen in conjunction with
protective clothing, abroad-brimmed hat,
sunglasses and shade to stay sun safe.
NANOPARTICLES IN YOUR SUNSCREEN,
MOISTURISER OR MINERAL FOUNDATION
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are common sunscreen
ingredients that reect UV light. Most larger particles
of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are white and
opaque, meaning that products they are used in can
leave a white lm on the skin (although some
companies have developed a method to make these
larger particles transparent). Particles can also be
ground down to an extremely small nano size,
where they become clear or transparent. In 2006
theTherapeutic Goods Administration said that
70%oftitanium dioxide sunscreens and 30% of zinc
sunscreens sold in Australia contained manufactured
nanoparticles1.
NANO-PRODUCTS POSE NEW HEALTH RISKS
If nanoparticles are accidentally inhaled, eaten or
absorbed through our skin they could pose health
problems. Scientic studies2 have shown that
nanoparticles can produce free radicals and damage
DNA, especially when exposed to UV light. These
studies suggest that rather than ofering us sun
protection, if nano-sunscreens are absorbed into
our skin, they could result in serious damage.
EARLY RESEARCH SUGGESTS SUNSCREEN
INGREDIENTS MAY BE ABSORBED INTO OUR SKIN
Research by Macquarie Universitys Professor Brian
Gulson, CSIRO and others indicates that zinc from
sunscreens can penetrate intact adult skin. Further
research is needed to nd out whether zinc is
absorbed as nanoparticles. We still dont understand
whether children are at a higher risk of skin absorption
than adults because they have thinner skin. People
who sufer from skin conditions such as eczema
mayalso be at a higher risk.
1Australian TGA. 2006. Safety of sunscreens containing nanoparticles of zinc oxide or
titanium dioxide.
2A detailed background paper with references to the scientic studies mentioned here can be
found at: www.nano.foe.org.au
NANO AND CHEMICAL-FREE

( Brands who claim they actively avoid using nanoparticles for SPF protection. Additionally, all of brands products are free of the UV-absorbing chemicals
and fragrances listed below)
Graham's Sunclear

Invisible Zinc

Natural Instinct

WotNot

haf mineral makeup Natralia Nourish Soleo Organics

NANO-FREE (Brands who claim they actively avoid using nanoparticles for SPF protection)
Amcal House brand Guardian Milk Skincare Sun Zapper

Ask Huey Island Tribe Sunscreen Natio Sunsational

Auscreen

Jurlique Pharmacy Choice

Superfade
Cancer Council Key Sun Zinke Priceline Own Brand Terry White Chemists

ChemMart

KINeSYS Performance Sunscreen Pro Bloc Woolworths Select

Coco Island

Le Tan Protecta Sunblock

Coles own brands

Marine Blue SolrX

MAY USE NANO (Brands who failed to respond to our questionnaire)
Amway Dermalogica Neutrogena Skinceuticals
Aquasun Dr LeWinn Nivea Skinstitut
Avado Organics Ecotanicals Nutrimetics Sunblock Australia
Avon Elizabeth Arden Origins Sunsense
Banana Boat Ella Bach Palmers Target
Blistex minence Organic Skin Care Paula's Choice Tropicare
BronZinc Hamilton Reef True Solutions Suncare
Chanel Johnson & Johnson Sea & Ski UV Natural Sunscreen
Clinique kit cosmetics Sheer Cover UV Triple Guard
David Jones Beauty Brand Nature's Care Simplicit Zinke Stick
USE NANO (Brands who use nanoparticles for SPF protection)
Ambre Solaire
#
Avne Garnier
#
Helena Rubinstein
#
Company provided documentation to substantiate nano-free claims # LOreal, parent company of Ambre Solaire, Helena Rubinstein, Garnier, Lancome, LOreal
Paris, Maybelline New York, shu uemera and Yves Saint Laurent, has told us they use
titanium dioxide in some of their sunscreen products. LOreal says that this ingredient
is mainly present as aggregates/agglomerates of size larger than 100nm. According to
the European Unions Cosmetics Directive those agglomerates and aggregates would
beclassied as nano.
PRIMARY SUNSCREENS PRODUCTS DESIGNED
PRIMARILY TO GIVE SUN PROTECTION
Nanotechnology is already being used in Australian
sunscreens without labelling or efective regulation,
despite evidence that some nanoparticles can be toxic.
Rather than ofering us sun protection, if nanoparticles
areabsorbed into our skin, they could actually result in
serious skin damage.
SUNSCREENS
STAY SUN SAFE!
We recommend you use a nano-free SPF 30+ broad
spectrum sunscreen in conjuntion with protective clothing,
abroad brimmed hat, sunglasses and shade to stay sun safe.
SAFE SUNSCREEN GUIDE
SUMMER 2011/2012
All brands products are nano-free. Additionally, all of the brands products are free of
the following chemicals: PABA (4-aminobenzoic acid), oxybenzone or dioxybenzone,
benzophenone, benzophenone-2 or benzophenone-3, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor
(4-MBC), octyl-methoxycinnamate (also called OMC or octinoxate), butyl methoxy
dibenzoylmethane (avobenzone), padimate-O (octyl dimethyl PABA), homosalate,
cinoxate,octyl salicylate (octisalate), parabens and fragrance.
COSMETICS
THAT CONTAIN SUNSCREENS
NANO AND CHEMICAL-FREE

( Brands who claim they actively avoid using nanoparticles for SPF protection. Additionally, all of brands products are free of the UV-absorbing chemicals
and fragrances listed below)
Aliz Invisible Zinc

Mukti Botanicals

Natural Instinct

ECO Minerals Livinia Natural Skincare Musq

haf mineral makeup MiEssence Organics

MV Organics
NANO-FREE (Brands who claim they actively avoid using nanoparticles for SPF protection)
Ask Huey Coles own brands

John Plunkett Essentials Natio

Bushman Eventone Jurlique Rid
Cancer Council Face of Australia

Le Tan Thalgo
Coco Island

Innoxa

Milk Skincare Vani-T Minerals

MAY USE NANO (Brands who failed to respond to our questionnaire)
Aesop Dior Johnson & Johnson Nutrimetics
Almay Dove La Mer Olay
ASAP Dream Skin La Prairie QV
Aveda ELES Mineral Makeup Lanolips Revlon
Blistex Givenchy L'Occitane RoC Skincare
Bobbi Brown Guerlain M.A.C. Cosmetics Sheer Cover
Chanel HissyFit Mary Kay Shiseido
Chapstick InClinic Cosmetics Max Factor Sisley
Clarins Issada Cosmetics Mei Mei SK-II
Cover Girl Jan Marini Skin Research Mineral Makeup Ultraceuticals
Da Vinci Cosmetics Jane Iredale Napoleon Perdis
USE NANO (Brands who use nanoparticles for SPF protection)
Ambre Solaire
#
Helena Rubinstein
#
L'Oral Paris
#
The Body Shop
Avne Kosmea Maybelline New York
#
Yves Saint Laurent
#
Garnier
#
Lancme
#
Shu Uemera
#
MANY COMPANIES NOW AVOID USING NANOPARTICLES IN THEIR SUNSCREENS AND COSMETICS.
BY CHOOSING THESE BRANDS YOU ARE CHOOSING TO AVOID THE NANO EXPERIMENT.
SECONDARY SUNSCREENS MOISTURISERS,
ANTI-AGEING CREAMS, MINERAL FOUNDATIONS
ORLIPBALMS THAT ALSO OFFER SUN PROTECTION
ANDHAVE SPF RATINGS
If you are concerned that your sunscreen may contain
nano, let the company know. Send your purchase back
and ask for a refund or ask them to go nano-free. Stop
industry making choices for us demand the right to
say no to nano.