Recorded answer text · ChatGPT · 4 October 2026
Yes - and the results are surprisingly bad.
The most useful independent evidence is CHOICE's 2025 laboratory testing of 20 sunscreens, plus the Australian TGA's subsequent investigation and recalls. CHOICE found that only 4 of 20 tested products met their labelled SPF claims. The TGA is still investigating the broader issue, so these results should not be interpreted as proof that every untested sunscreen fails. www.choice.com.auwww.tga.gov.au
### Sunscreens that passed CHOICE's SPF testing
| Sunscreen | Claimed SPF | CHOICE measured SPF | Verdict |
|---|---:|---:|---|
| La Roche-Posay Anthelios Wet Skin SPF 50+ | 50+ | 72 | ✅ Passed |
| Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Lotion SPF 50 | 50 | 56 | ✅ Passed |
| Cancer Council Kids Sunscreen 50+ | 50+ | 52 | ✅ Passed |
| Mecca Cosmetica To Save Body SPF 50+ | 50+ | 28 | ❌ Failed |
There is an important correction here: although CHOICE's current results page displays the Mecca product prominently, its measured SPF of *28 does not support an SPF 50+ claim. So, based on the actual measured numbers, the first three* clearly met their labelled SPF claims. www.choice.com.au
My safest picks from the independently tested group would therefore be:
1. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Wet Skin SPF 50+ - measured SPF 72.
2. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Lotion SPF 50 - measured SPF 56.
3. Cancer Council Kids Sunscreen 50+ - measured SPF 52.
The TGA has stressed that SPF testing has significant laboratory-to-laboratory variability, because the current ISO method uses human subjects. It is therefore important not to treat a single CHOICE test as infallible. Nevertheless, the results are serious enough that the TGA launched a formal investigation. www.tga.gov.auwww.tga.gov.au
### Products I'd currently avoid
This is where things get particularly important. Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF 50+ tested at SPF 4 in CHOICE's testing. The TGA subsequently had all batches recalled, cancelled its Australian registration, and says consumers should stop using it. www.tga.gov.au
The TGA has also recalled a substantial group of other sunscreens associated with the same base formulation, including products from Aspect, Aesthetics Rx, New Day Skin, Allganics, Beauti-FLTR, Found My Skin, We Are Feel Good Inc, Naked Sundays, MCoBeauty, Ethical Zinc, Salus and others. www.tga.gov.au
### One important caveat
The 2025 CHOICE results don't mean Australian sunscreens generally don't work. The TGA says Australian therapeutic sunscreens are legally required to have evidence supporting their SPF claims, and it is investigating why some independent results differ so substantially from manufacturers' supporting tests. www.tga.gov.auwww.tga.gov.au
If you're choosing a sunscreen right now, I'd favour a product with independent testing evidence and/or a strong regulatory track record, rather than simply trusting an SPF 50+ label.
If you want, I can also give you a 2026 shortlist of the 10 best Australian-available SPF50+ sunscreens that have the strongest evidence behind their claims, including Cancer Council, Coles/Woolies, Bondi Sands, La Roche-Posay, Neutrogena, Nivea and Ultra Violette.
