12 Feb Where are we at with the ‘sunscreen wars’?
More than 20 sunscreens were pulled from the shelves in 2025 after testing showed they were below their advertised SPF rating – so where does this leave us for summer 2026? Asks Sophie Paquet-Fifield
In Australia, we are exposed to some of the harshest and most dangerous levels of ultraviolet radiation (UV) in the world, so many of us know how important high SPF sunscreen is.
Excessive UV exposure can cause sunburn, eye damage, irreversible skin damage, accelerate skin aging, and lead to skin cancer in the long term.
But you may have seen that in 2025, several sunscreens were recalled or cancelled. So why did this happen and where does this leave us now?
The study showed that some sunscreens that claimed to be SPF 50 were tested as SPF 4 to 5 by several independent labs.
Even subsequent requested testing revealed that SPF indexes in these products were wildly inconsistent, ranging from an incredibly low 4 up to SPF 64.
After the findings were published, the TGA began investigating and is raising concerns about 20 other Australian sunscreens using the same base formulation.
As of December 2025, out of precaution, the TGA recalled the 21 products from Australian shelves.
Subtraction by addition
Since August 2025, the TGA has conducted inspections within the cosmetic and skincare manufacturer that produces this base formulation.
The inconsistency in the SPF could be explained by several factors.
Often, the addition of inactive ingredients (excipients) in sunscreen can provide a more satisfying texture, tint or perfume, or add a more aesthetically acceptable finish. But these additives may alter the efficacy and the stability of the UV filters.
The reliability of the SPF testing could also be another issue.
Experts question the reproducibility of the experimental procedure used in the testing, due to variability in sample transportation, storage, or decantation.
An investigation published by the ABC in July 2025 reported further concerns about testing methods, data distribution, and calculations carried out at the Princeton Consumer Research facility, which communicated unreliable results for at least eight Australian sunscreens.
The TGA has now provided new recommendations about reliable testing labs and updated acceptable manufacturing protocols.
Yes, you should continue applying sunscreen
Before we go on, let’s make one thing clear – yes, you absolutely should still be wearing SPF50 sunscreen, and scientific evidence is clear and undeniable – any sunscreen is better than no sunscreen.
There is still a huge range on our supermarket shelves, and the prudent removal from the TGA of some should not become an excuse to stop wearing any.
There are two main types of sunscreens: mineral and chemical. Both protect as effectively from UV.
Chemical sunscreens are light, transparent, and easy to blend, while mineral sunscreens can be thicker and leave a white cast. Ultimately, the choice of sunscreen will depend on your personal preferences, level of physical activity and cosmetic need.
But the best sunscreen is the one you will wear daily, properly, and reapply.
Your sun safe checklist
Here are a few things to remember as we move beyond the ‘sunscreen wars’ and into the hottest part of the year.
The SPF is not a time factor.
SPF quantifies only UVB radiation (think B for burn). While an SPF 50 blocks 98 per cent of UVB rays and an SPF 30 blocks 97 per cent, this modest difference in protection index is meaningful during extended sun exposure. The higher SPF rating, the better.
Broad-spectrum sunscreen contains other filters that protect against UVB and UVA (think A for aging). SunSmart and Cancer Council Australia strongly recommend products with SPF50+ broad-spectrum and water-resistant whenever the UV index is 3 or above.
To guarantee the effectiveness of your sunscreen, check the expiry date – beyond this date, the active ingredients can undergo chemical alterations, preservatives can degrade and the texture could separate which decreases performance.
The amount of sunscreen you apply and the way you apply it will definitely affect the efficiency of the protection. There’s no such thing as too much – that is to say, you should reapply more often, not apply thicker layers – but for those of you who prefer exact measures, here’s a good guide.
You can estimate about ¼ teaspoon of sunscreen for your face, ¼ for the neck/decolletage and 7 teaspoons for full-body coverage.
And it’s always good to check the UV index using the SunSmart Global UV app and the free UV widget and reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours.
The ongoing battle
The ‘sunscreen wars’ clearly demonstrate disturbing failures in the regulation and testing of sunscreens in Australia.
It calls for immediate action to improve quality control in sunscreen manufacturing, implement more stringent regulations, and establish better testing protocols to ensure product efficacy.
While we await further insights, one thing is clear – failures in regulation and testing do not discount the hard evidence that sunscreen is clinically proven to protect us from the harms of UVB and UVA.
So take stock of what you have on hand, always check the label, and don’t forget to combine this with “slip, slop, slap, seek and slide”. That still remains the only way to protect you safely from the Australian sun.
The sunscreens below were recalled because their SPF was found not to match the claimed number.
The AUST L number on a sunscreen indicates it meets TGA safety and quality standards.
Dr Sophie Paquet-Fifield, Senior Lecturer, Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences,University of Melbourne
