CHOICE Tested 20 Sunscreens - 16 Failed, Including a Viral Tinted Skinscreen
If beauty-adjacent SPF that doubles as makeup can miss its label this badly, treat label SPF as a ceiling, not a guarantee.
CHOICE tested 20 popular SPF50/50+ products in 2025 and found 16 of 20 did not meet their claimed SPF; only four passed, and the worst performer, the tinted Ultra Violette Lean Screen, tested at just SPF 4-5 across two laboratories.
Consumer-testing experts at CHOICE stress that a high SPF number on the label is a manufacturer's claim verified under ideal lab conditions, and that real-world protection depends heavily on applying enough product evenly.
Questions we get a lot
How many of the sunscreens CHOICE tested failed?
Of the 20 popular SPF50/50+ products CHOICE tested in 2025, 16 did not meet their claimed SPF and only four passed. The result drew wide attention because it included well-known brands. CHOICE published the full list and methodology.
Which product performed worst in the test?
The worst performer was the viral tinted 'skinscreen' Ultra Violette Lean Screen, which tested at just SPF 4-5 across two laboratories despite a much higher label claim. The gap highlights that beauty-adjacent SPF makeup is not exempt from underperformance. CHOICE detailed the specific results.
Should I stop trusting label SPF entirely?
Not entirely, but treat the printed number as a best-case ceiling rather than a guarantee. CHOICE's findings show real-world protection can fall short, so applying a generous, even layer and reapplying regularly matters. The safest approach is to assume you need more product than you think.
r/SkincareAddiction: 'My favorite tinted skinscreen flunked the CHOICE test - should I throw it out or just use way more?'