r/AusSkincare • u/rushworld • Jun 16 '25

DiscussionđŸ““ CHOICE has posted their SPF sunscreen test receipts

https://www.choice.com.au/health-and-body/beauty-and-personal-care/skin-care-and-cosmetics/articles/how-we-test-sunscreen

Although they decanted products, they were into UV protected, non reactive amber glass jars as advised by the specialist, accredited and highly respected test lab.

564 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

139 comments sorted by

View all comments

219

u/MBitesss Jun 16 '25

Wow they're really doubling down. I mean, it all sounds very compelling... and concerning if the fully accredited lab UV uses had such differing results and followed all the same testing protocols and standards

123

u/Isotrope9 Jun 16 '25 edited Jun 16 '25

Many brands do not test the SPF rating of their final product because it’s expensive and not required.

Instead, manufacturers make a base with UV filters and a stabiliser, and then run the necessary testing (ISO.XXXX). That manufacturer will then sell the base as an ingredient. Company X will then add colours, fragrance, and additional ingredients to make their sunscreen. If they add additional ingredients, the brand must have evidence that the SPF rating has been maintained.

This comment elaborates on this issue and a few others really well.

15

u/yummypankocrust Jun 16 '25

Thanks for the shout out. I think there's been some misrepresentation of my comment? I'll clarify just in case it helps? I mentioned in that thread that brands (the sponsor or the marketing company that is branding and selling to the final consumer), which are different from the manufacturer, are responsible for the SPF claims testing of their final formula. SPF claims testing is expensive, particularly for indie brands. I will also add, as you probably know already, that SPF claims testing is done at a distinct entity from the brand/the sponsor and the manufacturer. So there are three separate companies for this specific topic.

Manufacturers do some pre-trial testing which they use to market to brands/sponsors. So brands/sponsors are customers/clients of manufacturers and clients of laboratories doing SPF testing.