In 2025, Australian consumer organisation CHOICE published independent SPF testing of 20 popular SPF 50 / 50+ sunscreens sold in Australia. The findings raised a fair question:
If some products test well below their label claim, how many other sunscreens might also be under-performing?
This page explains what CHOICE found, what the TGA did next, and a practical way to choose sunscreen based on your personal sun-damage risk.
If you want the broader sunscreen guide first: (Sunscreen advice)
Book a 20 minute appointment with Dr Chris (Skin cancer prevention plan)
Why the CHOICE results matter
CHOICE’s testing found that only 4 of 20 sunscreens met or exceeded their SPF 50/50+ label claim, while 16 tested below. (1,2)
Most products that “failed” didn’t drop to zero protection — many still tested in the 20–40 range — but the report clearly calls into question label accuracy and shows that under-performance is not rare. (1,2)
What CHOICE found (in plain English)
CHOICE’s media release listed the four products that met their SPF claim (with tested SPF values): (2)
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios Wet Skin Sunscreen SPF 50+ (tested at 72)
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Lotion SPF 50 (tested at 56)
- Cancer Council Kid Sunscreen SPF 50+ (tested at 52)
- Mecca Cosmetica To Save Body SPF 50+ Hydrating Sunscreen (tested at 51)
CHOICE also reported that Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF 50+ tested very low (around SPF 4 in the initial test, and similar in confirmatory testing). (2)
CHOICE later updated their main article with additional developments, including other market actions and at least one additional recall. (1)
What the TGA did next
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) took the CHOICE report seriously and published a sequence of public updates, including:
- Recall of Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF 50+ (all batches) due to inconsistency in SPF level (3)
- Further market actions involving multiple sunscreens with lower-than-claimed SPF levels (4)
- Consumer guidance on SPF testing and known variability in the current in-vivo SPF test standard (5,6)
- A dedicated update about sunscreens using the same base formulation as Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF 50+ (7)
Bottom line: the issue wasn’t treated as a one-off.
My practical advice: choose based on your sun-damage risk
1) If your skin check shows no sun damage and no actinic keratoses
If you have had a comprehensive skin examination and your doctor finds no evidence of solar elastosis (sun damage) and no actinic keratoses (precancerous change), it’s reasonable to continue using the sunscreens you like — as long as you use them properly.
In this lower-risk group, your biggest wins are:
- applying enough
- reapplying on time
- adding hats, clothing, and shade
How to apply properly: (How to apply sunscreen properly: the teaspoon rule)
Book: (Full Skin Checks)
2) If your doctor notes solar elastosis or actinic keratoses
If your doctor has commented on solar elastosis or actinic keratoses (precancerous sun damage), it makes sense to be stricter.
My view is that in this higher-risk group, you should strongly consider choosing a sunscreen that has been independently shown to meet SPF 50+, such as the top performers in the CHOICE testing (listed above). (2)
In my own skin checks, I routinely comment on early sun damage and actinic keratoses — and the ears, hands, and nose are common places where these changes show up early.
Related: (Actinic Keratosis) and (Actinic Keratosis Treatment)
Important nuance: this is about label certainty, not panic
Even with the CHOICE and TGA findings, I don’t want patients to take the wrong message and stop protecting themselves.
Use this hierarchy:
1.Any sunscreen is usually better than none, especially if you apply it well.
2.High-risk patients should prioritise products with the best available independent evidence for meeting SPF 50+ (e.g., CHOICE top performers), alongside clothing and shade. (2)
3.Everyone should treat sunscreen as one pillar of protection, not the only pillar.
Beyond sunscreen: (UPF clothing, hats, sunglasses and shade)
If you’re high risk, don’t rely on sunscreen alone
If you have lots of actinic keratoses, extensive sun damage, or previous skin cancers, prevention often needs a broader plan, such as:
- Regular checks: (Full Skin Checks)
- Field treatment for sun damage: (Actinic Keratosis Treatment)
- At-home options for selected lesions: (Efudix (5-fluorouracil))
- In-clinic alternatives for selected cases: (Laser-assisted photodynamic therapy (LA-PDT) for non-melanoma skin cancer)
Book a 20 minute appointment with Dr Chris (Prevention plan + personalised options) (automed 20 minute appointment dr chris)
Book a full skin check (automed full skin check bookings)
Frequently asked questions
Does this mean lots of sunscreens might be below their label SPF?
Potentially, yes. CHOICE found most tested products were below label, and the TGA subsequently published broader market actions and updates, including concerns involving multiple products. (1,4,7)
Should everyone switch to the CHOICE top performers?
Not necessarily. If you’re low risk (no solar elastosis or actinic keratoses on a proper skin check) and you use sunscreen well, continuing what you tolerate and will reapply is reasonable. If you’re higher risk, choosing an independently high-performing product makes more sense. (2)
What matters more: product choice or application?
For most people, correct application and reapplication is the biggest determinant of real-world protection. (5,6)
How to apply: (How to apply sunscreen properly: the teaspoon rule)
What if my sunscreen was recalled or I’m worried it might be?
Stop using it and switch to a different product you tolerate. If you’re not sure what to use for your skin type (acne, rosacea, eczema, pigmentation), start here: (Sunscreen for rosacea, acne, eczema and pigment)
Book a sunscreen and skin cancer prevention review
If you’re unsure what sunscreen is appropriate for your risk level — or you have sun damage, actinic keratoses, or a history of skin cancer — we can tailor a simple plan you’ll actually follow.
Book a 20 minute appointment with Dr Chris (Sunscreen and skin cancer prevention plan)
If you’re worried about a few specific spots: (Targeted Skin Spot Check (Up to 3 lesions))
References
1.CHOICE. We tested the SPF claims of 20 sunscreens. 16 failed. Article and ongoing updates (last updated 4 Dec 2025). (CHOICE update notes include additional market actions/recalls.)
2.CHOICE. Media release: 16 of 20 sunscreens didn’t meet SPF claims in CHOICE test (16 June 2025). Includes the four products meeting claims and tested SPF values, and the lowest performer noted.
3.Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF 50+ sunscreen — recall of all batches due to inconsistency in SPF level (22 Aug 2025).
4.Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Multiple sunscreens recall: lower than claimed SPF levels (26 Sept 2025).
5.Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Follow-up TGA statement on CHOICE SPF sunscreen report (21 Aug 2025): notes known variability of ISO 24444 in-vivo SPF testing and review of requirements.
6.Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Sunscreen SPF testing — information for consumers (16 Sept 2025).
7.Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Sunscreens using the same base formulation as Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF 50+ sunscreen (17 Dec 2025).