News — sun safety

Protection only works if it goes back on When families skip reapplying sunscreen, it’s rarely out of carelessness. Usually, the sunscreen itself is just so unpleasant to use that the morning application quietly becomes the only one. It’s almost never a conscious decision, it just becomes easier to let it slide. The rule is simple: reapply every 2 hours and after swimming or towelling. A single layer was never meant to last a whole day in the sun, because protection naturally fades with time, sweat, and water. But when a product makes reapplying feel like a sticky, messy ordeal, it’s...

After recent headlines questioning whether sunscreens deliver their promised protection, here is how to look past the label, what independent testing really means, and what to check before you buy.

Can you take sunscreen on a plane? Yes, and the rules depend on which type of flight you are taking. On Australian domestic flights, there are no liquid restrictions for carry-on baggage, unless your flight departs from an international terminal. Your sunscreen, in any size, travels in the cabin with you. On international flights, liquids, aerosols and creams must be in containers of 100ml or less and carried in a single resealable clear bag of no more than one litre. That applies at the security screening point regardless of destination. Pack the 30g travel size in your carry-on. At 30g...

Navigating sun protection for your little one? Discover the latest Australian public health guidance on the shade-first approach for babies under 6 months and how to safely introduce gentle sunscreen into their outdoor routine.