Aussie -Experts put 20 popular sunscreen on the test -16 could not meet the SPF claims on their labels. Read the full list here

Millions of Aussies can unconsciously risk serious damage to the sun, with a shocking new study that reveals that many of our most trusted sunscreen can offer much less protection than they promise.

Although they have been drilled with the ‘Slop, Slop, Klap and Wrap’ Mantra from childhood, new laboratory tests shows that even diligent sunscreen carriers may not be as sun-safe as they think.

In an explosive investigation by the consumer lawyer group CHOICE20 of the most popular sunscreen on Aussie boards were put to the test – and only four found their elevated SPF 50+ claims.

The rest? A worrying number delivered SPF rating as low as four, far away from the 50+ sunbrak where they advertise courageously. In some cases that is hardly better than wearing nothing at all.

Choice also emphasized a fact that many Aussies will surprise: the SPF factor is not tested independently, whereby the regulator relies on reports from manufacturers.

“Consumers expect that sunscreen to protect them in accordance with the SPF assessment on the product, but as our tests have shown, the SPF label does not always match what’s in the bottle,” said Ashley the Silva of Choice.

Their newest sunscreen, executed in a certified laboratory, showed that 16 of the 20 sunscreen did not achieve the level of protection on their packaging. Some were eliminated with more than 40 SPF points.

Big names were the Cancer Council, Neutrogena, Bondi Sands, Ultra Violette, Coles and Woolworths.

In an explosive study of your choice, 20 of the most popular sunscreens on Aussie boards were put to the test – and only four found their elevated SPF 50+ claims

The most alarming was one of the most expensive sunscreen tested – Ultra Violette’s Lean Screen SPF50+ that sells for $ 52 (left). While the sunscreen SPF 50+ from Cancer Council turned out to have a real SPF of 52 (right)

Some of these much -sold products tested in the SPF 20S and 30S, even though they are labeled as SPF 50+, a potentially dangerous discrepancy in a country with one of the highest speed of the skin cancer in the world.

The most alarming, however, was one of the most expensive sunscreen – Ultra Violette’s Lean Screen SPF50+ that sells for $ 52.

‘Despite the fact that we are rigorous testing of this sunscreen for the first time, we were so disturbed by the results that we decided to postpone the publication and test another party of the Ultra -Violette sunscreen in a completely different laboratory in Germany to confirm the results, the choice in the report said.

“Those results came back with a reported SPF of five, almost identical to our first test.”

Ultra Violette, however, has disputed the test method and results of Choice and stated that it did not randomly label its sunscreen, but rather the guidelines set by the therapeutic freight administration.

“We do not accept these results as even remotely,” said a spokesperson for the Ultra Violette.

“Lean screen contains 22.75 percent zinc oxide, a level at which, when sufficiently applied, a test result of SPF 4 would make scientifically impossible.”

Of the 20 sunscreen tested, only four pass the SPF test – including the sunscreen of the Cancer Council Children SPF 50+, which turned out to have a real SPF of 52.

Australia is known for having some of the strictest sunscreen for the world, whereby safety, quality and efficacy is guaranteed – with all the formulas that must be approved by the TGA.

The majority is mentioned medicines with an ‘aust l’ identification number, while all sunscreen must comply with the AS/NZS 2604: 2021 Standard.

According to the choice, the TGA purely relies on reports supplied by manufacturers of accredited laboratories, instead of performing its own compliance tests on sunscreen.

After the alarming research, Choice informed both TGA and the ACCC of the results.

“Because of the inconsistencies we found between the SPF claims of a sample of Australian sunscreen and their actual SPFs, the TGA calls on to perform their own compliance tests, with the help of current standards, instead of purely trusting reports from manufacturers,” said the experts.

Choice is the leading independent watchdog of Australia, known for its no-frills, laboratory test reviews of everyday products to keep brands responsible.

They only work in the interest of Aussie consumers, which exposes unsafe, Dodgy or misleading products on the market.