That “we’re sorted because we used SPF 50” thinking can leave you under-protected.

Consumer NZ’s sunscreen expert, Belinda Castles, says sunscreen myths and some marketing are putting New Zealanders’ health at risk, and she wants people to rethink what they think they know.

She says children do not automatically need a special “kids” sunscreen, those products often just have a milder base for sensitive skin, so if your child is fine with the family sunscreen, you do not need to pay extra.

A higher SPF does not mean you can reapply less, all sunscreens should be reapplied every 2 hours while you’re outside.

She points out SPF15 blocks 93% of UVB rays, SPF30 blocks 97%, and SPF50 blocks 98%, and no sunscreen blocks 100%.

Castles also pushes back hard on tanning myths, saying a tan means skin damage has already started, and she is worried by a TikTok trend about chasing quick, sharp tan lines during peak UV.

“There is no such thing as a safe tan.”

Castles says she looks first at how recently a sunscreen’s SPF was tested, and she also weighs price because sunscreen needs frequent reapplication.

She notes past Consumer testing has found both cheap and expensive sunscreens can meet their claims.

CHOICE testing in Australia where Ultra Violette’s Lean Screen SPF 50+ returned low SPF results of 4 and 5 despite retailing for $50+.

Consumer NZ’s sunscreen database is a free tool hosted on its website.

You can filter by the year of most recent testing, price, SPF, water resistance, and brand, which is useful for Hibiscus Coast families trying to choose with confidence.

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