The Skinny (with a Side of Dry Aussie Wit)
CHOICE did a bit of science on 20 top-tier Aussie SPF 50/50+ sunscreens in accredited labs—and brace yourselves—only 4 of them actually passed with flying SPF shields choice.com.aucouriermail.com.au. That’s only 20% accuracy from brands we thought we could trust.
The SPF scoreboard:
| Brand / Product | Labelled SPF | Actual Tested SPF | Pass/Fail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra Violette Lean Screen Zinc Skinscreen | 50+ | 4 (Sydney), 5 (Germany retest) | Fail |
| La Roche‑Posay Anthelios Wet Skin SPF 50+ | 50+ | 72 | Pass |
| Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Lotion SPF 50 | 50 | 56 | Pass |
| Cancer Council Kid Sunscreen 50+ | 50+ | 52 | Pass |
| Mecca Cosmetica To Save Body SPF 50+ Hydrating Sunscreen | 50+ | 51 | Pass |
| Cancer Council Kids Clear Zinc 50+ | 50+ | 33 | Fail |
| Cancer Council Everyday Value Sunscreen 50 | 50 | 27 | Fail |
| Cancer Council Ultra Sunscreen 50+ | 50+ | 24 | Fail |
| Bondi Sands SPF 50+ Zinc Mineral Body Lotion | 50+ | Claim: 72.8 (internal) vs 26 (CHOICE) | Contest |
| Bondi Sands SPF 50+ Fragrance-Free Lotion | 50+ | Claim: 73.6 (internal) vs 32 (CHOICE) | Contest |
Cue the Drama:
- Ultra Violette’s Lean Screen is the big star in this drama—initial tests showed a paltry SPF of 4; same in Germany: 5. They say their lab tests hit 64–62 on 10-person protocols, accuse CHOICE of using too few testers and fiddling with packaging.
- CHOICE, for its part, stood by its science. They tested on standard 10-person panels using amber glass jars (UV-protective), blinded procedures, hopped to Germany for confirmation, and still got SPF 5—crickets tolerated.
- They’ve even called in the TGA to investigate because, as they put it, “We’re not regulators, but we know sunscreen labels better than someone in board shorts“.
- Other brands weren’t spared: Cancer Council’s kids, value and ultra lines flopped; Bondi Sands defends its own tests showing far higher SPF than CHOICE—classic case of “he-said/she-said”.
Context: Why This Matters
Australia has one of the globe’s highest skin cancer rates—over 2,000 deaths annually, and two in three Aussies diagnosed in their lifetime couriermail.com.au. Even a sneaky SPF shortfall could be the difference between a tan and a tango with melanoma. TGA notes that SPF 30–59 is still “high protection,” though SPF 50+ is officially “very high”.
CHOICE vs TGA – The Official Play:
- CHOICE: “We followed AS/NZS 2604:2021 standards. Ten people, amber jars, blind testing—science done right.” choice.com.ausmartcompany.com.au
- TGA: Acknowledges human variability in SPF tests, and that 30–59 range is still useful protection. They’re considering more consistent in‑vitro methods nypost.comtga.gov.au.
Aussie Takeaway (In Plain English)
- If your sunscreen says 50+, check third-party results. Only 4 out of 20 delivered.
- SPF 30+ is still decent—but don’t slack on reapplying. Even “failed” sunscreens beat no sunscreen.
- Ultra Violette’s now in a scientific squabble; TGA might step in for regulatory clarity.
- PSA: don’t chuck your amber jars.
What to Do Next:
- Check independent test results on the brands you use.
- Keep reapplying every 2 hours or after a dip in the pool.
- TGA compliance review may give us real accountability soon.
