SLIP, SLOP, SLAPDASH: Choice tested 20 SPF 50 sunscreens – and 80% failed

Consumer group CHOICE has tested 20 popular SPF 50 or 50+ sunscreens and found 16 of 20 products didn’t meet their SPF claims. 

The shocking results including prominent and trusted brands, including sunscreens from the Cancer Council, Coles, Woolworths and Aldi.

One SPF 50+ brand’s result was so unbelievably poor that it was retested in Germany.

Ultra Violette’s Lean Screen SPF 50+ Mattifying Zinc Skinscreen, had an SPF of 4. The German result was 5.

That means that if, for example, your skin burns from UVB exposure in 10 minutes, it would only give you protection for 40-50 minutes.

The minimum strength recommended is SPF 30.

CHOICE CEO, Ashley de Silva said they informed the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA, the federal government’s medicine and therapeutic regulatory agency, as well as consumer watchdog the ACCC about the results.

“CHOICE is calling on the TGA to urgently carry out its own sunscreen compliance testing and on the ACCC to investigate if any SPF claims are misleading,” he said.

Currently, the TGA relies on reports provided by manufacturers to ensure the safety, quality and efficacy of sunscreen products. Unfortunately, these reports may not be providing the accurate information consumers need when choosing sunscreens for themselves and their families.

The sunscreens were chosen from a range of brands, retailers, and price points, and tested in a specialised, accredited sunscreen lab.

“Of the 20 sunscreens we tested, only four products actually met their SPF 50 or 50+ claims,” de Silva said. 

“Consumers expect sunscreen to protect them in line with the SPF rating on the product, but as our testing has shown, the SPF label doesn’t always match what’s in the bottle.”

The sunscreen brands tested by Choice

The only four sunscreens which met their SPF claims were: 

• La Roche-Posay Anthelios Wet Skin Sunscreen SPF 50+ – tested at 72 
• Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Lotion SPF 50 – tested at 56 
• Cancer Council Kid Sunscreen 50+ – tested at 52
• Mecca Cosmetica To Save Body SPF 50+ Hydrating Sunscreen – tested at 51

Here are the results for the other 16 claiming to be SPF 50, which is meant to screen out 98% of UVB, which causes skin cancer.

SPF results in the 40s

• Coles SPF 50+ Sunscreen Ultra Tube – tested at 43
• Nivea Sun Kids Ultra Protect and Play Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ – tested at 41
• Nivea Sun Protect and Moisture Lock SPF 50+ Sunscreen – tested at 40
• Sun Bum Premium Moisturising Sunscreen Lotion 50+ – tested at 40

SPF results in the 30s

• Banana Boat Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ – tested at 35
• Bondi Sands SPF 50+ Fragrance Free Sunscreen – tested at 32
• Cancer Council Kids Clear Zinc 50+ – tested at 33
• Invisible Zinc Face + Body Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 – tested at 38

SPF results in the 20s

• Aldi Ombra Everyday Sunscreen Lotion 50+ – tested at 26
• Banana Boat Baby Zinc Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ – tested at 28
• Bondi Sands SPF 50+ Zinc Mineral Body Lotion – tested at 26
• Cancer Council Everyday Value Sunscreen 50 – tested at 27
• Cancer Council Ultra Sunscreen 50+ – tested at 24
• Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Lotion SPF 50 – tested at 24
• Woolworths Sunscreen Everyday Tube SPF 50+ – tested at 27

The CHOICE CEO said it was important to highlight that this testing does not mean sunscreen doesn’t work.

“While some specific sunscreens did not meet their claimed SPF, a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or even 20 still offers a significant amount of sunscreen protection, and any sunscreen is better than none at all,” de Silva said.