Australia Recalls Sunscreens Not Meeting SPF 50+ Claims

Over 20 popular sunscreen brands in Australia have been recalled or had registrations paused because they might not offer the SPF protection advertised. This is a big change for many people who rely on these products.
By Newsroom | Health, Australia |

CANBERRA – A significant number of sunscreen products sold in Australia are facing urgent recalls or having their registrations paused due to concerns that they do not meet their labelled SPF ratings. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has indicated that consumers may wish to discontinue using these products and seek alternatives while investigations proceed.

Urgent recall issued for expensive sunscreen sold in Australia: Stop using now - 1

The TGA’s action stems from independent testing that revealed several sunscreens, including high-priced premium brands, were likely to provide lower SPF protection than advertised. This situation has led to a cascade of voluntary recalls and cancellations of product listings, impacting consumers seeking reliable sun protection.

Urgent recall issued for expensive sunscreen sold in Australia: Stop using now - 2

Specific Products Affected and Recall Details

The recall specifically targets Medik8 Physical Sunscreen SPF50+ across three variants. Affected batches include Physical Sunscreen SPF50+ Professional 60mL (Batch A1798B, expiry August 2026 and Batch A2651A, expiry April 2028), Physical Sunscreen SPF50+ 60mL (Batch A1798B and Batch A2651B, both with August 2026 or April 2028 expiry dates), and Physical Sunscreen SPF50+ Try Me 15mL (batches included in certain kits). These Medik8 products were sold in Australia and New Zealand between August 2023 and March 2026. Medik8 has stated that while the formula itself is safe, these specific batches may offer reduced SPF protection, though no adverse effects have been reported.

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Urgent recall issued for expensive sunscreen sold in Australia: Stop using now - 3

Beyond Medik8, a broader list of sunscreens has been voluntarily recalled or had their registrations cancelled. These include:

Urgent recall issued for expensive sunscreen sold in Australia: Stop using now - 4

  • Aspect Sun SPF50+ Physical Sun Protection

  • Aspect Sun SPF50+ Tinted Physical Sun Protection

  • Aesthetics Rx Ultra Protection Sunscreen Cream

  • Beauti-FLTR Lustre Mineral SPF50+

  • Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF50+

  • People4Ocean SPF 50+ Mineral Bioactive Shield Lightly Tinted Cream

  • McoBeauty SPF50+ Mineral Mattifying Sunscreen

  • Outside Beauty & Skincare SPF 50+ Mineral Primer

  • GlindaWand The Fountain of Youth Environmental Defence Cream SPF50+

  • New Day Skin Good Vibes Sunscreen SPF50+

  • New Day Skin Happy Days Sunscreen SPF50+

  • Found My Skin SPF 50+ Tinted Face/Body Cream

  • Ethical Zinc Daily Wear Light Sunscreen

  • Ethical Zinc Daily Wear Tinted Facial Sunscreen (Dark)

  • Ethical Zinc Daily Wear Tinted Facial Sunscreen (Light)

  • Endota Mineral Protect SPF50 Sunscreen

  • We are Feel Good Inc. Mineral Sunscreen SPF50+

  • Naked Sundays Collagen Glow Mineral Sunscreen

  • Salus SPF50+ Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad Spectrum

  • Allganics Light Sunscreen SPF50+

The TGA advises consumers to look for sunscreens with clear SPF50+ or SPF50 labelling, broad-spectrum protection, and a visible ARTG number.

Broader Concerns Over SPF Claims and Testing

The current wave of recalls appears to have been initiated by independent testing conducted by consumer advocacy group CHOICE. This testing, which examined 20 popular sunscreens, found that 16 failed to meet their labelled SPF claims. Notably, Ultra Violette's Lean Screen SPF 50+ reportedly returned an SPF rating of just 4 in one test. This situation has cast doubt on the reliability of SPF claims on product labels.

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While the TGA oversees sunscreen regulations, the responsibility for initial testing to verify SPF claims rests with individual sunscreen brands. This testing, according to international standards, requires evaluation on at least 10 volunteers to accurately calculate SPF.

Experts note that sunscreens with SPF 30 or 50 still offer substantial protection, filtering approximately 97% and 98% of UVB rays, respectively. The TGA categorises anything above SPF 30 as "effective protection." However, the effectiveness in real-world conditions is contingent on proper application, frequent reapplication, and the use of complementary sun protection measures like shade, hats, and clothing.

Background on Sunscreen Regulation in Australia

Australia has long maintained a strong focus on skin cancer prevention, with public health campaigns like 'Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide' reinforcing comprehensive sun safety strategies. The recall of these products highlights ongoing scrutiny of sunscreen efficacy in a country with high rates of skin cancer. While makeup products may offer some SPF, they are generally not considered a substitute for dedicated sunscreen. Recalls are typically batch-specific, indicating issues with particular production runs rather than an entire product line, unless the same formulation is used across multiple products.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are some sunscreens being recalled in Australia?
Many sunscreen brands are recalled or have paused registrations because tests show they do not provide the SPF protection claimed on their labels. The TGA is investigating these products.
Q: Which specific sunscreen brands are affected by the recall in Australia?
The recall includes Medik8 Physical Sunscreen SPF50+ in specific batches, and voluntary recalls or cancellations for brands like Aspect Sun, Ultra Violette, and many others. Consumers should check the full list.
Q: What does the TGA recommend for consumers regarding these recalled sunscreens?
The TGA advises consumers to stop using the affected sunscreen products and look for alternatives that clearly state SPF50+ or SPF50 and have an ARTG number. They also remind people that sunscreen is just one part of sun safety.
Q: What is the main concern about the sunscreens that failed testing?
The main concern is that these sunscreens may offer much lower SPF protection than advertised, potentially leaving users more exposed to harmful UV rays. Some tests showed significantly lower SPF ratings than claimed.
Q: Who found out about the sunscreen problems in Australia?
An independent consumer group called CHOICE conducted tests on 20 popular sunscreens and found that 16 of them did not meet their labelled SPF claims. This testing led to the broader actions.