SunscreenGate: 16 of 20 Failed Their SPF Claim - What Passed and How to Cope
The biggest sunscreen-trust story of 2025: the number on the bottle is a claim, not a guarantee - here's what failed, what passed, and how to protect yourself anyway.
In June 2025 CHOICE had 20 SPF 50/50+ sunscreens tested at a TGA-approved lab; 16 of the 20 failed to meet their labelled SPF, and only four passed: Cancer Council Kids, La Roche-Posay Anthelios Wet Skin, Mecca Cosmetica To Save Body, and Neutrogena Ultra Sheer.
Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration responded to the findings by reaffirming that sponsors must hold valid evidence for their SPF claims, signaling regulatory scrutiny of label accuracy.
Questions we get a lot
Which four sunscreens passed the CHOICE test?
The four that met their SPF claims were Cancer Council Kids, La Roche-Posay Anthelios Wet Skin, Mecca Cosmetica To Save Body, and Neutrogena Ultra Sheer. The other 16 of the 20 tested failed. CHOICE published the complete results from a TGA-approved lab.
How did regulators respond to SunscreenGate?
Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration issued a statement on the CHOICE findings, reaffirming that sponsors must hold valid evidence supporting their SPF claims. The response signaled increased scrutiny of label accuracy. It came amid wide public attention to the results.
If labels can be wrong, how do I make sure I'm protected?
Treat label SPF as a best-case ceiling and apply a generous, even layer, then reapply every couple of hours and after swimming or sweating. CHOICE's testing showed many products fall short in the lab, and real-world application is usually thinner still. Using enough product is the single biggest factor in actual protection.
r/SkincareAddiction: 'After SunscreenGate I don't trust any label - which ones actually passed and how do I apply enough?'