'Beyond anxious': The sunscreen you rely on could be leaving you exposed to cancer

Australians have been left reeling after a major sunscreen scandal revealed that some popular products may offer far less protection than advertised.

What started as an isolated failure has now expanded, affecting dozens of products trusted by consumers across the country.

For many, including older Australians who rely on daily sunscreen use, the revelations have been deeply unsettling.

The crisis began with Ultra Violette's Lean Screen, a premium SPF50+ sunscreen, which tested at a shocking SPF4.

From there, the investigation widened to include 21 sunscreen products, all sharing a base formulation linked to Wild Child Laboratories in Perth.

Affected brands include household names such as Aspect, Aesthetics Rx, MCoBeauty, Naked Sundays, Ethical Zinc, and Endota.

Initial testing by the TGA suggests the base formulation may not exceed SPF21—and for some products, it could be as low as SPF4.

For many Australians, particularly those over 60, the news raises urgent questions about years of presumed sun protection.

Rachel Gleeson, 34, used Lean Screen daily for two years before being diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma.

Angie Knaggs, who has lupus, said the recalls left her and her community 'beyond anxious' about whether their sun protection had been adequate.

After using Lean Screen and Naked Sundays Collagen Glow Mineral, medical experts now advise her to get a skin check every three months due to increased skin cancer risk.

The scandal has also exposed serious flaws in sunscreen testing procedures.

The TGA has expressed 'significant concerns about the reliability of SPF testing undertaken by Princeton Consumer Research Corp (PCR Corp),' a UK-based lab.

SPF testing typically involves applying sunscreen to volunteers, exposing them to UV light, and checking for redness after 24 hours.

A former PCR employee revealed that eight of the sunscreens failing Choice tests had originally been certified at Princeton Consumer Research.

The TGA has written to the company about its concerns but received no response to date.

Consumers are urged to check the TGA’s official list of affected products, particularly if they use physical (zinc-based) sunscreens.

If a product is on the list, the TGA recommends switching to an alternative until reviews are complete.

Wild Child Laboratories has halted production of the problematic base formula.

Affected brands are recalling products and offering refunds to customers.

Ultra Violette co-founders issued a public apology, stating: 'As a sunscreen brand, our responsibility has always been to prioritise your safety, protection and skin health above all else.'

They have re-tested their range and expressed 'complete confidence' in their other products.

Despite the scandal, experts stress the importance of continuing to use sunscreen.

Cancer Council Victoria’s Craig Sinclair said sunscreen is highly effective at reducing sunburn, which can be a predictor of skin cancer later in life.

For older Australians, the 'slip, slop, slap' message remains critical—the risk from no sun protection far outweighs concerns about the current testing scandal.

The TGA and Choice investigations have highlighted systemic weaknesses in sunscreen testing, potentially paving the way for stronger protocols.

Ultra Violette has expressed support for 'newer, more ethical testing methods,' suggesting industry-wide reform may be forthcoming.

For now, the advice is clear: check your sunscreen against the TGA list, switch if necessary, and continue protecting your skin—Australia’s sun remains unforgiving.

If this sunscreen scandal has you double-checking your products at home, there’s more to the story about other recalled items.

Several sunscreens have recently been pulled from shelves after failing SPF tests, showing that these issues are not isolated.

Reading about these additional cases can help you understand the wider implications and what to watch for when choosing your sun protection.

Read more: More sunscreens pulled from shelves over SPF concerns

Have you been using any of the recalled sunscreens, or do you have concerns about your sun protection this summer?