Several sunscreens have been recalled or paused from sale in Australia in 2025 due to concerns that they do not meet their advertised sun protection factor (SPF) claims. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) identified 21 sunscreens sharing the same base formulation, which preliminary testing indicated might have an SPF as low as 4, far below the claimed SPF 50+. Among the recalled or paused sunscreens are:
- Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF 50+ Mattifying Zinc Skinscreen (voluntarily recalled in August)
- Aspect Sun SPF 50+ Physical Sun Protection and Tinted Physical Sun Protection
- Aesthetics Rx Ultra Protection Sunscreen Cream
- New Day Skin Good Vibes Sunscreen SPF 50+ and Happy Days Sunscreen SPF 50+
- Allganics Light Sunscreen SPF 50+
- Beauti-FLTR Lustre Mineral SPF 50+
- Found My Skin SPF 50+ Tinted Face/Body Cream
- Ethical Zinc Daily Wear and its Tinted Facial Sunscreens (Dark and Light)
- Endota Mineral Protect SPF 50 Sunscreen
- We are Feel Good Inc Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+
- GlindaWand The Fountain of Youth Environmental Defence Cream SPF 50+
- People4Ocean SPF 50+ Mineral Bioactive Shield Lightly Tinted Cream
- MCoBeauty SPF 50+ Mineral Mattifying Sunscreen
- Naked Sundays Collagen Glow Mineral Sunscreen
- Outside Beauty & Skincare SPF 50+ Mineral Primer
- Salus SPF 50+ Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad Spectrum
Out of these 21 products, 8 have been fully recalled or manufacturing stopped, 10 have been paused from sale, and 2 are still under review. The problem has been traced to the base formulation manufactured by Wild Child Laboratories, which has ceased production of this formulation. There are also concerns regarding the reliability of SPF testing conducted by one specific testing lab used by these products' manufacturers. Consumers are advised to find alternatives to these sunscreens due to their potentially lower-than- advertised SPF protection, posing a risk of inadequate sun protection in Australia's high skin cancer risk environment.
