Two sunscreens are being pulled from sale after it was found they both failed to provide the protection they claimed.
Speaking on TVNZ1's Breakfast today Consumer New Zealand chief executive Sue Chetwin said they tested three natural sunscreens and were "disappointed to find" all failed to meet the level of sun protection they claimed.
Consumer New Zealand found product Snowberry Family+ said it was SPF 30 when it was actually SPF 20, Pure Blend Sunscreen claimed it was SPF 15+ but it was about four, and Pure South 100% Natural claimed its raspberry content has a SPF of 28-50, but that was found to be a SPF five.
All products have been recalled, apart from Pure Blend which will stop being sold as a sunscreen.
"The thing we found concerning is they make these claims, they haven't been tested properly, you basically have to test on humans to be able to test sunscreens," Ms Chetwin said.
New Zealand only subscribes to a voluntary sun protection standard, with Ms Chetwin saying there should be a "tightening up of everything".
"While companies are encouraged to comply with the Australian-New Zealand standard, it's clear some don't. Making the standard mandatory would help ensure consumers aren't misled about the protection a sunscreen provides."
"It's ridiculous we don't have to have a compulsory standard."
She said those who were using sunscreens that were not up to standard could be putting themselves at risk.
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