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Samantha Brett, founder of SPF sunscreen brand Naked Sundays, wrote to the TGA and the new Health Minister Mark Butler to allow influencers to endorse sunscreen.

“Summer is just around the corner which means Australians are at greater risk of skin cancer and melanomas.” Brett told Emerald City.

In Australia, TGA approval is required for sunscreens, supplements and vitamins, medicated shampoos, and some acne and skin-lightening products.

“I do believe sunscreens should be exempt from the TGA advertising laws when it comes to testimonials. I do like the fact the TGA is making it mandatory to put warnings and instructions on all advertising, but I think influencers should be allowed to give their opinions about the sunscreens they’re using, whether paid, gifted or unpaid by a brand,” she said.

“How else will a consumer get honest feedback? How else will those who are influenced by social media, particularly Millennials who are most at risk of melanoma, be encouraged to use sunscreen every day? And use it correctly?”

Naked Sundays recently raised more than $10,000 for melanoma research through influencers posting and sharing the “wear sunscreen every day” message.

TGA assistant secretary regulatory compliance branch Nicole McLay responded to Brett late on Friday, hours after Emerald City made enquires, saying the Australian government agreed that the promotion of sunscreen on social media has a positive impact by increasing sunscreen usage.

She said the code only prohibits the promotion or endorsement of sunscreens for some sort of payment.

“The measure is designed to ensure, as much as possible, that testimonials ... are genuine and not influenced by commercial interests.”

A spokesperson for the health minister said he recognised the independence of the TGA as a regulator of therapeutic goods.

Very teasing