Are Australia's Top-Rated Sunscreens Really the Best in the World?

Australian sunscreens are regarded as some of the best in the world, and for good reason: 'Australia has extremely high skin cancer rates and a very aggressive public health message around sun protection. People assume that means their sunscreen must be better or stronger,' says Dr. Danilo C. Del Campo, board-certified dermatologist at Chicago Skin Clinic. 'Social media has amplified that idea, and once a few influencers started talking about it, it took off.'

But is it actually better than popular SPFs you'd find in, say, the U.S. or Korea, for example? I asked board-certified dermatologists whether there's truth behind the 'best in the world' reputation, and what exactly makes them different. I also rounded up Australian sunscreens my experts recommend and ones our NBC Select editors have tested and loved.

Selected. Our top picks

• Best overall: Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face SPF 50+ Superscreen - $46.00 at Mecca
• Best for sensitive skin: Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen - $15.94 at Amazon
• Best tinted: Naked Sundays BeautyScreen SPF 50 Peptide Foundation Tint - $38.00 at Naked Sundays
• Best for dry skin: Ultra Violette Supreme Screen SPF 50 Facial Sunscreen - $36.00 at Sephora
• Best for kids: Blue Lizard Kids Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Stick - $8.77 at Amazon
• Best SPF serum: Kora Organics Silky Sun Drops 100% Mineral Sunscreen Serum - $58.00 at Sephora
• Best travel-friendly: Standard Procedure Clip-On SPF 50+ Sunscreen Lotion - $14.99 at Standard Procedure
• Best with no white cast: Naked Sundays SPF50 CabanaClear Invisible Water Gel Serum - $24.00 at Amazon
• Best for oily skin: Cancer Council Invisible Fluid SPF50+ - $19.95 at Cancer Council
• Best SPF oil: Bali Body Watermelon Sunscreen Oil SPF 50 - $27.00 at Bali Body
• Best for tanning: Australian Gold SPF 30 Spray Gel Bronzer - $7.79 at Target
• Most lightweight: Ultra Violette Future Screen SPF 50 - $40.00 at Sephora
• Best scalp SPF: Australian Gold SPF 50 Face & Scalp Mist - $16.99 at Australian Gold

What to know

When shopping for Australian sunscreens (meaning sunscreens made and developed in Australia), the dermatologists I spoke to recommend keeping in mind the following factors:

• Reputable seller: When buying sunscreen from other countries, always make sure it's coming from a reputable seller. If you're getting something imported, storage and authenticity matter.
• Broad-spectrum protection: Check that the sunscreen has broad-spectrum protection, which means it protects against both UVA rays (responsible for signs of aging) and UVB rays (cause burns), says Del Campo. All of the dermatologists I spoke to recommend at least SPF 30 (preferably higher if you are outdoors a lot).
• Skin type: As with any skin care product, your skin type plays a major role in determining which product is best for you. 'Some Australian sunscreens are designed to survive a day at the beach, which can mean heavier textures,' says Del Campo. That may not be as effective for someone with oily or acne-prone skin, who require more lightweight formulas. Look for sunscreens that are oil-free and noncomedogenic, which means they won't clog pores.

What sets Australian sunscreens apart?

Australian sunscreen is generally considered 'better' than most sunscreens on the market, and it usually comes down to the ingredients and regulations. 'In Australia, sunscreen is regulated as a therapeutic product, which means there are strict requirements around SPF and water-resistance testing,' says Del Campo. The TGA, a government authority that evaluates and regulates therapeutic goods in Australia, oversees strict independent testing of sunscreens in the country. 'Many of their formulas are built for intense outdoor exposure like beach culture, sports and long hours in the sun, so they often emphasize high SPF and durability.'

What makes Australian sunscreen different from that in the U.S.?

The main differences are the ingredients and regulations behind the sunscreen. Australia has certain newer UV filters that we do not currently have access to in the U.S. 'FDA approval is very slow in the U.S., so much so that the last UV filter approved by the FDA was in 1999,' says Green. 'For example, bemotrizinol, a new chemical filter that the U.S. may approve for sunscreens by late 2026, has been used in Australia since 2004.'

Do Australian sunscreens have a different formula when sold in the U.S.?

Yes, if you're buying the same Australian sunscreen in the U.S., you'll likely get a formula with different ingredients due to FDA regulations. 'The Australian brands sold in the U.S. often reformulate using the U.S. FDA-approved filters,' says Green. Any of the modern filters that aren't approved yet in the U.S. won't be on the ingredients list (even if you purchase them directly from the brand's website). However, similar to Korean sunscreens, you can order directly from trusted online Australian retailers for the true Australian formula, including Chemist Warehouse and Chemist Direct.

Who is Australian sunscreen best for?

People who spend serious time outdoors, like swimmers, athletes and people who go on beach vacations, would benefit most from using an Australian sunscreen. They're also great for all skin types and tones because many are gentle and fragrance-free, says Green. 'They also blend easily into the skin, so people with darker skin tones don't have to worry about a white cast,' she says.

Do Australian sunscreens fall short on SPF claims?

In June 2025, Australian consumer activist group Choice released a report revealing that 16 sunscreens of the 20 they tested did not meet their claimed SPF 50+ ratings. This led to the recall or paused sales of more than 18 sunscreens from popular Australian brands like Cancer Council, Ultra Violette and Naked Sundays for failing to meet their labeled SPF ratings.