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last mo.

Australia Probes Sunscreen Ratings as Brands Pull Products and Retesting Expands

Regulators are reviewing SPF testing standards following Choice’s findings that many SPF50+ products underperformed.

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Two women wipe sunscreen on the backs of two men on a beach. The men are wearing swimming shorts while the women are in shorts ad in one case a bikini top and the other a sleeveless white top
Did you know that you can develop skin cancer on the palms of your hands, the soles of your feet, or in your nail beds?

Overview

  • Choice reported in June that 16 of 20 popular SPF50/SPF50+ sunscreens failed to meet their labeled protection in accredited lab tests.
  • Ultra Violette withdrew its Lean Screen SPF50+ after eight retests returned highly variable results, including an SPF reading of 4.
  • Six products have been taken off shelves or had sales paused as companies conduct multi‑lab checks and reassess formulations.
  • The TGA says its investigation is ongoing and the ACCC confirms it is working with the regulator on potential consumer‑law issues.
  • An ABC investigation found a US lab certified many products that later underperformed in Choice tests and highlighted shared base formulas linked to a Western Australia manufacturer.