Sunscreen Recalls in Australia: What Happened and How to Choose an SPF You Can Trust
Sydney's UV Index is already pushing into the high range on most days, and summer is only weeks away. Yet for a lot of people, reaching for sunscreen now comes with a flicker of doubt. After more than a year of headlines about products that didn't live up to their labels, it's fair to wonder whether the bottle in your bathroom cabinet is doing what it promises.
Here's the short answer before we get into the detail: keep wearing sunscreen while you check. Going without SPF while you sort this out leaves your skin with less protection, not more. The rest of this guide explains what happened, what the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is doing about it, and how to choose a face sunscreen that genuinely suits your skin.
What Happened: The CHOICE Test and the Recalls
In June 2025, consumer group CHOICE commissioned independent laboratory testing of 20 popular sunscreens labelled SPF 50 or SPF 50+. Sixteen of them returned results below the SPF printed on their label, and one tested as low as SPF 4.
Those results set off a TGA investigation. One thread of that work found that several sunscreens sold under different brand names shared the same base formulation as the lowest-scoring product. Over the months that followed, more than 20 sunscreens were recalled, cancelled from the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) or paused from supply. A handful of separate recalls have happened for unrelated reasons, such as a formula separating in the tube, which makes it harder to spread evenly.
It helps to keep all of this in proportion. The testing raised real questions about how SPF is measured and checked in Australia, and those questions deserve answers. What it didn't show is that sunscreen as a whole doesn't work. Cancer Council Australia still recommends a broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF50 or SPF50+ whenever the UV Index reaches 3 or above.
What the TGA Is Doing About It
In Australia, sunscreens whose main job is sun protection are regulated as therapeutic goods, which is why they carry an AUST L number on the pack. On 26 March 2026, the TGA opened an eight-week public consultation on improving how sunscreens are regulated, with submissions closing on 23 May 2026.
The consultation covered how reliable and transparent SPF testing is, how closely the laboratories doing that testing are overseen, how products are checked once they're on the shelf, and how SPF is shown on labels. The proposal that drew the most attention was replacing numerical SPF ratings with four simpler categories: low, medium, high and very high protection, possibly paired with a graphic. CHOICE has said it doesn't support dropping the numbers, while backing stronger testing and closer oversight of laboratories.
In May 2026, the TGA also updated its consumer guidance, reinforcing that sunscreen remains an essential part of sun protection and explaining what SPF numbers actually mean. If labels do change, expect it to happen gradually, since brands would need to redesign and reprint their packaging.
How to Check If Your Sunscreen Is Affected
Start with the label. Every sunscreen regulated as a therapeutic good in Australia should show an AUST L number (occasionally AUST R) on the packaging, which confirms it's listed on the ARTG. If you can't find one, the product is probably a cosmetic with added SPF, such as a moisturiser or foundation, rather than a primary sunscreen.
Next, visit the TGA's sunscreen information pages, which list the products that have been recalled or cancelled and what to do about each one. The list has changed several times, so the current version is far more reliable than a screenshot or social media post from months ago.
If your sunscreen does appear, follow the TGA's advice for that product. In most cases that means stopping use and switching to an alternative with an AUST number, then contacting the retailer or brand about a refund. While you sort out a replacement, lean on the other forms of sun protection: clothing that covers your skin, a broad-brimmed hat, shade and sunglasses.
SPF 30 vs SPF 50+: Does the Number Matter?
According to the TGA, SPF 30 filters about 97% of UVB rays, while SPF 50 filters around 98%. On paper that looks like a tiny gap. In real life, the extra margin earns its place because almost nobody applies sunscreen the way it's applied in a laboratory.
SPF testing uses a generous, even layer. Most of us use far less, miss the hairline, ears and sides of the nose, and then rub or sweat some of it away within a couple of hours. Choosing SPF50+ builds in a buffer for those everyday shortfalls. It's also worth remembering that no sunscreen blocks all UV, whatever number is on the front.
How much you apply matters more than most people realise. Cancer Council guidance is roughly a teaspoon for your face, neck and ears, applied about 20 minutes before you head outside and reapplied every two hours. A light smear of moisturiser-with-SPF simply doesn't come close.
Choosing a Face Sunscreen That Works for Your Skin
The best sunscreen is the one you'll happily wear every single day, so texture, finish and comfort matter just as much as the number. Your skin type is the best guide.
If your skin is sensitive or reactive, mineral filters such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are often better tolerated, and a fragrance-free formula is a sensible starting point. If redness is your main concern, our guide to rosacea and facial redness goes into more depth.
If your skin is oily or acne-prone, look for lightweight fluids or gels labelled non-comedogenic. Formulas built on chemical filters often feel lighter and sink in more easily, which makes daily use far less of a chore. Our article on blemish-prone skin has more on building a routine that won't clog pores.
If your skin is prone to pigmentation, a tinted sunscreen is worth considering. The iron oxides that give it colour help screen visible light, which can encourage pigment alongside UV. That matters most for melasma, which we explain in Sun Spots, Freckles or Melasma? How to Tell the Difference. It's also why summer is the season to protect your skin rather than correct it, as we cover in Pigmentation Treatment in Summer: Protect Now, Correct Later.
As for mineral versus chemical filters, neither is automatically better. Mineral formulas can feel heavier or leave a white cast on deeper skin tones, while chemical formulas tend to be more invisible. Plenty of newer products blend the two, so it comes down to what your skin tolerates and what you'll actually reapply.
Reapplying over makeup is where most routines fall apart. An SPF mist, powder or stick pressed lightly over foundation in the middle of the day is a practical top-up. Think of it as a refresher, though, not a replacement for a proper layer of sunscreen in the morning.
Why a Skin Professional Can Help
Picking a sunscreen off the shelf can feel like guesswork, especially when your skin is sensitive, breakout-prone or already showing pigmentation. A skin consultation takes the guessing out of it. At AESTHETICA HQ, our cosmetic nurses look at your skin type, sensitivity, any pigmentation and your current routine, then talk you through treatments that could suit you.
It's also a good moment to raise concerns that sun exposure tends to make more noticeable, like uneven skin tone or sun spots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I keep using my current sunscreen while I check it?
Yes, unless it appears on the TGA's recall list or has passed its expiry date. Wearing sunscreen is still far better than going without, and you can back it up with a hat, shade and protective clothing until you've confirmed it's not affected. Keep it below 30°C too, which means not leaving it in a hot car over summer.
Is the SPF in my makeup enough?
Usually not on its own. To get the SPF shown on a foundation or tinted moisturiser, you'd need to apply far more than anyone realistically wears. Treat makeup SPF as a bonus layer on top of a dedicated sunscreen, not a substitute for one.
How often should I reapply sunscreen?
Every two hours when you're outdoors, and straight after swimming, heavy sweating or towelling off. On a desk day spent mostly indoors, a thorough morning application may be enough, but top up before a lunchtime walk, school pick-up or anything that keeps you in the sun.
Not Sure Which Sunscreen Suits Your Skin?
Book a skin consultation with our Sydney team. Our nurses at our Gregory Hills clinic will look at your skin, talk through your options.
