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Date Published: 25/03/2024

Three best-selling sunscreens withdrawn in Spain for not offering protection

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Rituals, Vichy and Biotherm all claimed their suncreams provide higher SPF protection than they do

Three best-selling sunscreens withdrawn in Spain for not offering protection

In a very worrying development, three popular sunscreen brands, Rituals, Vichy and Biotherm, have been forced to stop selling their products in Spain as they fail to provide the level of sun protection claimed on the label. The Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) made this decision after conducting tests and finding that the products did not match their claimed SPF and UVA protection levels.

The affected products are Rituals' ‘Invisible Sun Protection Face Cream SPF 50+’, Vichy's ‘Capital Soleil Smooth Protective Cream SPF 50+’ and Biotherm's ‘Waterlover Face Sunscreen SPF 50+’.

However, consumers needn’t panic unduly. AEMPS found that these products claimed to offer "very high" sun protection, but the tests showed that they actually offered a lower level of protection, classifying them as "high" rather than "very high".

The agency also noted that the companies failed to provide evidence that the formulas used in their tests were identical to the actual products sold on the market. Therefore, these top selling brands have been asked to take their products off the shelves and cease advertising them.

This move came after the Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU) filed a complaint against these products, citing non-compliance with labelling regulations. The OCU conducted its own testing and found inconsistencies in the products' SPF and UVA protection claims.

While the three products mentioned above have been asked to stop sales, another product, ISDIN's ‘Fusion Water Magic SPF 50’, was found to be fully compliant with regulations and remains available on the market.

AEMPS emphasises that it is essential for consumers to choose sunscreens that offer adequate protection against the sun's rays, and encourages manufacturers to ensure that their products meet the required standards for labelling and ingredients.

In other news: Holy Week washout in most of Spain: weather forecast March 25-28

Image: Freepik

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