Sunscreen Scandal Grows in Australia as Dozens of Products Pulled Over Misleading SPF Claims
A growing sunscreen scandal in Australia has seen 21 products pulled from shelves after regulators found that several popular brands massively overstated their sun protection. Some products marketed as SPF50+ were found to provide as little as SPF4 — leaving users dangerously exposed in a country with the world’s highest skin cancer rates.
The issue centres on a shared base formula made by Wild Child Laboratories, used in sunscreens sold by 17 different companies, which preliminary tests by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) say is unlikely to deliver more than SPF21. Eight products have already been recalled, ten more have paused sales, and two are still under review. The affected products include sunscreens from Aspect Sun, Aesthetics Rx, Naked Sundays, We Are Feel Good Inc, Ethical Zinc, People4Ocean, and McoBeauty.
The scandal first erupted in June when consumer watchdog Choice tested 20 top-selling sunscreens. Sixteen underperformed, including big names like Bondi Sands, Banana Boat, and the Cancer Council, with the worst result coming from Ultra Violette’s Lean Screen SPF50+, which tested at SPF4. Ultra Violette initially disputed the findings but withdrew the product after further testing confirmed the low rating.
The TGA is also investigating Princeton Consumer Research Corp (PCR Corp) — a UK-based lab used by many of the brands involved. The agency has raised “significant concerns” about PCR’s reliability, sayng that several of the faulty SPF claims were based on their test results. PCR has defended its methods, saying sunscreen performance can vary due to manufacturing, storage, and sample handling. Wild Child Laboratories has since stopped using PCR and said that the TGA found no faults at its manufacturing site.
While the TGA continues its investigation, it's advising consumers to switch to other sunscreens. Experts warn the scandal may have global implications, as some of the affected products are sold internationally. With two in three Australians expected to face skin cancer in their lifetime, confidence in sunscreen is critical. The TGA has signaled it may overhaul SPF testing standards to prevent future failures.
