Why is your SPF rating so low?
Love your Paula's Choice Sunscreen, but wish it sported a higher SPF rating? Well, no worries! All SPF-rated products purchased from Paula's Choice Australia are the exact same formulation offered by Paula's Choice USA, Europe, and Asia. In fact, each of our Paula's Choice Distributors around the world get their product supply from our USA office.
In Australia, primary sunscreens or therapeutic sunscreens are regulated by the TGA as drugs, which are products intended primarily to prevent sunburn for skin. Paula’s Choice sunscreens are currently considered secondary/cosmetic sunscreens, which are regulated by AICIS and defined as moisturising skin-care products that contain sunscreen with an SPF of 15. This includes tinted bases that contain sunscreen with an SPF of 4 or more.
While each product is extensively tested and meets USA regulations, because Australia's regulations differ, we are unable to claim an SPF rating higher than 15 on our packaging at this time.
We understand that our clients in Australia and New Zealand want to see a selection of sunscreens with a higher SPF rating and Paula’s Choice is constantly working to meet your needs. It is our goal to offer primary sunscreen options to the Australian market in future.