Does Australian Gold sunscreen have PFAS?
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
We graded 8 Australian Gold sunscreen products, averaging Good (53/100). 4 of them grade Good or better. Against the other 29 sunscreen brands we grade, where the middle brand sits at 64/100, Australian Gold is about typical, scoring above 36% of them.
Australian Gold sunscreen worth buying Good or better, safest first
Australian Gold
SPF50 Lotion Sunscreen
Lotion base (water, glycerin, emollients); no intentional Teflon-type coating or Teflon-family coating documented
Fragrance allergens and contact sensitizers
Sunscreen lotions typically include fragrance compounds for scent and aesthetic appeal…
Chemical UV filter systemic absorption
FDA and peer-reviewed studies have confirmed that chemical absorbers like avobenzone and…
Preservative-related irritation
Lotion formulations require preservatives to prevent microbial growth; common ones…
Emollient residue and follicle occlusion
Heavy glycerin and emollient bases can leave occlusive films on skin; in acne-prone…
Lower concern; verify the ingredient list for fluorinated UV absorbers.
⚠Risky category by default
Australian Gold
Botanical SPF50 Tinted Face Lotion
lotion base (water, oils, botanical extracts)
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Product label indicates 'botanical extracts' which often include natural fragrance…
Endocrine disruptors
Australian Gold sunscreens have historically used organic UV filters; this product's…
Skin sensitization from essential oils or botanical extracts
Botanical extracts (common in this brand's positioning) can include eucalyptus, tea tree…
Lower concern but brand remains silent on PFAS practices.
⚠Risky category by default
Australian Gold
Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
Mineral sunscreen actives (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) in lotion base
Heavy metals
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are generally well-tolerated, but impure grades can…
Parabens
Lotion bases require preservatives to prevent bacterial and fungal growth; Australian…
Fragrance allergens (if present)
Many Australian Gold sunscreen formulations include fragrance blends to improve cosmetic…
Emulsion breakdown and separateness in heat storage
Lotion formulations are prone to separation, oxidation, or preservative degradation when…
Lower concern with mineral blockers, but no brand transparency on formulation.
⚠Risky category by default
Australian Gold
Instant Bronzer Spray Gel Sunscreen
sunscreen gel; water-resistant film-forming polymers (unspecified type)
Fragrance allergens and irritants
Product name and marketing suggest added fragrance (bronzer gels often contain coconut or…
Spray inhalation risk (respiratory irritation)
Spray sunscreens carry a known risk of inhaling polymer particles and propellants, which…
Lower concern without credible warning signs, though waterproof formulas sometimes contain fluorinated polymers.
⚠Risky category by default
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Australian Gold
SPF15 Spray Gel Sunscreen
spray gel sunscreen with water-resistant/waterproof formulation
Inhalation risk from spray propellant
Aerosol sunscreens deliver fine mist particles and hydrocarbon/alcohol propellants that…
PFAS
Australian Gold's waterproof claim likely relies on water-repellent chemistry; industry…
Chemical UV filter concerns (organic absorbers)
Spray sunscreens typically use organic UV absorbers (avobenzone, octinoxate) rather than…
Low SPF efficacy
SPF15 filters only 93% of UVB rays, compared to SPF30 (97%) and SPF50+ (98%+). This…
Skip until Australian Gold discloses whether waterproof formulas use PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Australian Gold
SPF30 Sunscreen Lotion
Water-resistant sunscreen lotion with standard actives
Parabens
Water-based lotions require preservative systems; Australian Gold does not disclose…
Fragrance components and undisclosed allergens
If product contains fragrance (common in Australian Gold formulations), specific…
Skin irritation and photosensitization from organic UV filters
Avobenzone (a likely active in this SPF30 lotion) is widely documented to cause…
Emulsion breakdown and rancidity over time
Water-based lotions are prone to phase separation, microbial growth, and oxidative…
Uncertain PFAS status; request ingredient details or choose transparent brands.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Australian Gold
SPF Ultimate Hydration Sunscreen Lotion
Lotion base with water-resistant UV filters
Skin sensitization and irritation from UV filter degradation
Water-resistant sunscreen lotions, if stored improperly or applied unevenly, can…
Endocrine disruptors
Oxybenzone and octinoxate, common in broad-spectrum chemical sunscreens, are documented…
Fragrance sensitization and undisclosed fragrance ingredients
Sunscreen lotions often include fragrance or fragrance components to mask filter smell.…
Microplastic or silicone buildup on skin with repeated application
Some water-resistant lotions use silica or synthetic polymer thickeners to maintain…
Medium-high PFAS concern with brand transparency absent.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Australian Gold
SPF Lotion Sunscreen
water-resistant emulsion lotion (aqueous base with potential hydrocarbon/silicone emulsifiers)
Oxybenzone or avobenzone photostability concern
If this product uses avobenzone (likely in a water-resistant formula), the UV absorber…
Emulsion preservative allergens
Water-based lotions require preservatives (parabens, methylisothiazolinone, or…
Fragrance allergen load
If this product contains added fragrance (brand formulation not publicly detailed)…
Film-former or silicone hydrolysate skin occlusion
Silicone or acrylate polymers used in water-resistant formulas can trap moisture and…
Unresolved PFAS risk in waterproof product with no brand disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Better sunscreen from other brands
Graded higher than the Australian Gold average of 53.
Goddess Garden
Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 6 oz
mineral-based UV filters, plant-derived waxes
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
Limited concern
Skin irritation or photosensitivity from plant oils
Limited concern
Lower-concern mineral sunscreen backed by credible PFAS-exclusion certification.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Raw Elements
Eco Formula SPF 30 Sunscreen
mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide)
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide in sunlight
Limited concern
Skin irritation or sensitivity to mineral film
Limited concern
Low risk. Mineral sunscreen backed by third-party verification, no fluorochemical history.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Raw Elements
Face & Body Sunscreen Tin SPF 30
mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide), tin packaging
Epoxy resin coating in tin lining
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
Nano particle inhalation from loose powder form
Limited concern
Low risk. Mineral formula plus explicit PFAS-free stance and certs lower concern.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
See every Australian Gold product we grade on the Australian Gold brand page, or the full sunscreen ranking.