Sunscreen Recall – What's Happening & Why?

Recent tests conducted and published by CHOICE raised serious concerns about the legitimacy of SPF +50 claims in a range of sunscreens.

The sunscreens in question used the same base formulation as Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF 50+ (formerly AUST L 332788). Lean Screen was voluntarily withdrawn due to a range of SPF testing results that were well below the claimed SPF of 50+, including test results showing an SPF as low as 4.

Ultra Violette also voluntarily cancelled the listing of Lean Screen from the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods. The TGA has found that several other sunscreens use the same base formulation.

The TGA Findings to Date

Wild Child Laboratories Pty Ltd. manufactured the base formulation.

Preliminary SPF testing results revealed the base formulation has an SPF factor no greater than 21, and some products are as low as SPF 4.

An inspection of the manufacturing facility and process did not identify any issues that could have contributed to the low SPF results.

It is the responsibility of every company to conduct its own tests to substantiate the SPF claim for that sunscreen. These are typically conducted by 3^rd party laboratories. Further investigation suggests some may be more reliable than others.

In particular, the TGA has significant concerns about the reliability of SPF testing undertaken by Princeton Consumer Research Corp (PCR Corp), a testing laboratory based in the United Kingdom.

The TGA is aware that each company adds different types and amounts of excipients (like fragrances and colour tints) to the base formulation. It is possible that the addition of excipients could increase or decrease the SPF of a sunscreen.

The Key Concerns are:

• False SPF Claims:

  The core problem is that the sunscreens in question do not provide the level of sun protection advertised on their labels. 

• Shared Base Formula:

  The TGA identified over 20 products using the same base formulation as Ultra Violette Lean Screen, which was found to have a very low SPF. 

• Testing Concerns:

  The TGA has expressed significant concerns about the integrity of the SPF testing conducted by the PCR Corp Lab, which was relied upon by many companies. 

The Sunscreens Recalled & Status (as at 03/10/2025)

Name & brand of sunscreen	AUST L	Company Responsible	Market Status
Aspect Sun SPF50+ Physical Sun Protection	365276	Advanced Skin Technology	Goods voluntarily cancelled from the Register on 25 September 2025.
Aspect Sun SPF50+ Tinted Physical Sun Protection	389983	Advanced Skin Technology	Goods voluntarily cancelled from the Register on 25 September 2025.
Aesthetics Rx Ultra Protection Sunscreen Cream	339406	Aesthetics Skincare Pty Ltd	Goods voluntarily cancelled from the Register on 25 September 2025.
New Day Skin Good Vibes Sunscreen SPF50+	339406	Anjo Partners	Goods voluntarily cancelled from the Register on 1 October 2025.
New Day Skin Happy Days Sunscreen SPF50+	339819	Anjo Partners	Goods voluntarily cancelled from the Register on 1 October 2025.
Allganics Light Sunscreen SPF50+	346159	Australian Cosmeceutical Group Pty Ltd	Goods under review by the TGA
Beauti-FLTR Lustre Mineral SPF50+	383583	Daily SPF Pty Ltd	Goods voluntarily cancelled from the Register on 29 September 2025.
Found My Skin SPF 50+ Tinted Face/Body Cream	408261	DNA Health and Wellness Pty Ltd	Voluntarily paused supply. Goods under review by the TGA.
Ethical Zinc Daily Wear Light Sunscreen	333136	Ethical Zinc Pty Ltd	Voluntarily paused supply. Goods under review by the TGA
Ethical Zinc Daily Wear Tinted Facial Sunscreen (Dark)	384897	Ethical Zinc Pty Ltd	Voluntarily paused supply. Goods under review by the TGA
Ethical Zinc Daily Wear Tinted Facial Sunscreen (Light)	384897	Ethical Zinc Pty Ltd	Voluntarily paused supply. Goods under review by the TGA
Endota Mineral Protect SPF50 Sunscreen	333138	Ethical Zinc Pty Ltd	Voluntarily paused supply. Goods under review by the TGA
We are Feel Good Inc Mineral Sunscreen SPF50+	409094	Feel Good and Co Pty Ltd	Voluntarily paused supply. Goods under review by the TGA.
GlindaWand The Fountain of Youth Environmental Defence Cream SPF50+	392832	GlindaWand Pty Ltd	Voluntarily paused supply Goods under review by the TGA.
Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF50+	332788	Grace & Fire Pty Ltd	Goods voluntarily cancelled from the Register on 5 September 2025.
Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF50	475518	Grace & Fire Pty Ltd	Goods voluntarily cancelled from the Register on 5 September 2025.
People4Ocean SPF 50+ Mineral Bioactive Shield Lightly Tinted Cream	412979	LaGaia Pty Ltd	Goods under review by the TGA. Goods voluntarily recalled.
McoBeauty SPF50+ Mineral Mattifying Sunscreen	420373	McoBeauty	TGA notified of voluntary recall on 1 October 2025. Goods voluntarily cancelled from the Register on 24 September 2025.
Naked Sundays Collagen Glow Mineral Sunscreen	356754	Naked Sundays	Voluntarily paused supply Goods under review by the TGA.
Outside Beauty & Skincare SPF 50+ Mineral Primer	411860	Outside Beauty & Skincare Pty Ltd	Goods voluntarily cancelled from the Register on 26 September 2025. Goods under review by the TGA.
Salus SPF50+ Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad Spectrum	401588	Salus Body & Spa Pty Ltd	Voluntarily paused supply. Goods under review by the TGA.

For the latest information, please consult the TGA website:

https://www.tga.gov.au/safety-and-shortages/market-actions/multiple-sunscreens-recall-lower-claimed-spf-levels