On the eve of her sunscreen launch, Zoë Foster Blake penned an informative blog post to Go-To’s website sharing her thoughts on the new TGA regulations. Instead of her customary clever introduction to the brand’s latest product release, (this time being Nifty Fifty ($45 at Go-To), Zoë swapped out the product benefits and ingredients list in place of her strong concern over the latest regulations surrounding SPF in Australia.
In direct response to the latest Therapeutic Goods Administration Advertising Code (which took effect on July 1st), Zoë expressed her concern for the impact the new restrictions will have on driving Australians to use and purchase sunscreen.
In accordance with the new code, paid or gifted testimonials and reviews of sunscreen have been banned.
So, why is this an issue for Australians?
“Personal reviews inspire purchase and use,” Zoë wrote. “More than ads, more than cancer scare tactics. From the back fence to club bathroom chat, to Whatsapp, TikTok and online reviews: this is how people discover skin care products and what compels them to try them.”
Basically, “restricting this long standing tradition could impede so much potential sunscreen uptake.”
She continued, “I understand the code exists to protect the consumer; to stop frivolous, dangerous, and disingenuous reviews of medical products. We back anything that helps consumers make safe, informed decisions about their products; at Go-To we put safety above all, and never more so than with sunscreen.”
However, the above understanding comes with a very important ‘but‘. “Constraining personal opinions and testimonials – whether unpaid, paid or gifted – will create unnecessary friction for consumers who come to sunscreen reluctantly, even negatively, to begin with.” As Zoë says, “Many consumers still believe sunscreen is gross, thick, greasy. It is not.”
“I understand the code exists to protect the consumer; to stop frivolous, dangerous, and disingenuous reviews of medical products. We back anything that helps consumers make safe, informed decisions about their products; at Go-To we put safety above all, and never more so than with sunscreen,” Zoë wrote.
You can read her full statement here.
What’s the solution?
By no means is the Go-To founder running a campaign to shut down the TGA. In fact, quite the opposite as she reassures readers, “I’m grateful the TGA takes sunscreen so seriously; Australia is a world leader in sun protection because of this. We have the toughest sun, and the toughest regulatory board. This is good for the consumer.”
Though she hopes they reconsider the “severe and breathtaking regulations” which have resulted from grouping sunscreen under this new law.
Main image credit: @zotheysay
What do you think about the new sunscreen TGA regulations?
I think people have to be educated to use sunscreen, it has to be promoted more. Not a specific brand , just sunscreen.
Exactly. Sunscreen in general.
Agree with this so much!
I can see both sides of the issue. I appreciate personal reviews but am fed up with celeb reviews (on anything)
I feel the same way and I can’t believe how much some influencers are getting paid to talk about products
I agree too.
Oh I didn’t know!
Same here I agree with you.
Seems like we all agree.
Totally agree
You have summed up how I feel exactly on this issue.
I’m going to take the word of the TGA over any celeb, influencer, footballer’s wife etc any day.
yes paid to write a positive review whether its good ir not
Anything that encourages proper use of sunscreen is good. However that is just my opinion.
Totally agree with you Perthchick
It just seems to make it more confusing and I had just thought I’d worked out what sunscreens are all about. So TGA really needs to do sone explicit explaining.
tga has proven to be a joke last couple of years.
Guess it’s not a popular opinion but I agree with TGA stance. Obviously would like more sunscreen uptake but consumers generally are uneducated about products that are categorised as medicated in most jurisdictions. Sorry to be a buzzkill but it is for your own good. It takes a ton of personal research to even understand what comprises sunscreen, the types of sunscreen, common ingredients in sunscreens, and the level of SPF appropriate for your skin. There is already a prevalent misunderstanding about certain common ingredients in sunscreens and whether they are actually harmful to you and also the environment, and this is really glossed over by flippant reviews I see on social media by frankly average people who are unqualified to plug sunscreens they know barely anything about it. I scroll past these so fast when I see them.
Actually I think a lot of us agree with you although I like to see reviews as they are just a personal opinion and often you can identify with the review
I agree with you Ethelinde. Zoe herself admits that what the TGA is doing is for the benefit of consumers. Her gripe comes from her position as a seller, not a consumer.
I do like Zoe and saw this post on her social media but what is not mentioned is the fact many people wrote to her to point out her post wasn’t even proofread and she even admitted it in the comments section.
I can understand where the TGA is coming from
Yes there is a strong point to be made
I think it is nice to see reviews when people particularly like or hate a sunscreen but false claims can be a problem so there are rights on both sides
I can definitely see both sides of the issue. I’m always interested to see what people use as sunscreens and would rather see reviews from those who have been using a particular sunscreen for a long time rather than having one gifted or sponsored.
Either way, hopefully, all this attention prompts more people to start using sunscreen (especially the younger generation) as using one sunscreen is obviously better than none. That’s something I wish I could tell my younger self.
I’m going to take the word of the TGA over any celeb, influencer, footballer’s wife etc any day.
Bit confused by it actually.
The education about Sunscreens should start at school in my opinion. It should involve dermatologists and skin cancer organizations spreading awareness.
I get my sunscreen education from Dr drey she is the queen of sunscreens. She tries so many sunscreens, making it easy to choose as a consumer.
Nice little advert for her product here. I never use sunscreen, I prefer to make sure I stay out of the hot sun and other times get my Vitamin D. Covering up is the best approach. Many years ago people never used sunscreen and incidents of skin cancer were lower. If you use it make sure you use a natural ingredient one that is safe. Putting chemicals on your skin could cause other problems.
Ummm, wot? Please stop peddling misinformation about sunscreen – “chemical” or otherwise! This is exactly what the TGA is trying to stop.
i like real reviews like on here
Zoë Foster Blake she is amazing person Sunscreen is so important especially a 50+ for Face and Body, living in Australia it is so important to use this all year round. For me I always put Face Sunscreen 50+ on my face and neck before I add any Primer.
Zoe is so cool! I really want one of her products. X
I dont see a problem in this, id prefer more trustworthy resources.
Totally agree! She’s just miffed as she can’t get free positive reviews anymore from “influencers”.
I understand it is going to make it harder for companies to advertise their sunscreen, but if it means we only get real reviews by people who have just been wowed by the sunscreen they’ve been using, I’d be happy. Then I know they aren’t just reading from a script.
I find personal reviews useful if I’m considering trying a new brand or product
Interesting, there must have been lots of things that happened to lead to this decision.
I like reading product reviews as long as there’s a disclaimer saying if the product is gifted or if it’s paid etc
I do like being able to read honest reviews on sunscreen
Sick of influencers. They’ll say anything for a cheque or for pr packages to keep rolling in.
I don’t take notice of them.
I think it is crazy that SPF ratings have different values across the world. It should be standardised worldwide.
Doesn’t make sense does it? Should be standardised.
I don’t see the problem with paid or gifted reviews as long as this is clearly stated in the review.
Reviews by brand ambassadors, celebrities etc do not influence my purchasing decisions.
I like to read sunscreen reviews because I want to know if it feels greasy or leaves a white cast.
She’s just cranky because she can’t get free positive reviews anymore from so-called influencers.
I don’t take much (any?) notice of celebrity reviews of products, I prefer to trust the science.