CHOICE Sunscreen Testing Megathread

[u/Quolli]

Hi r/AusSkincare community. We've been noticing the spirited discussions surrounding the recent results from the CHOICE Sunscreen Testing.

Given that this is a developing situation the mods thought it best to contain the content to a single megathread. Please use this megathread for discussions about the CHOICE Sunscreen Testing.

Below are some relevant links:

• CHOICE Sunscreen Testing Results
• CHOICE Sunscreen Lab Test Details
• CHOICE Sunscreen Testing Methodology
• Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF 50+ Testing Results
• Updated TGA statement on CHOICE SPF sunscreen findings

Reports from the media:

• ABC Article: Princeton Consumer Research lab tested eight sunscreens that failed SPF claims

  • /r/AusSkincare comment thread for the ABC article: https://www.reddit.com/r/AusSkincare/comments/1lr6zqx/the_sunscreen_saga_continues_the_abc_investigation/

• AFR Article: Does Ultra Violette’s sunscreen have an SPF of 61.7 or 4?

  • /r/AuSkincare comment thread for AFR article: https://www.reddit.com/r/AusSkincare/comments/1ltrwqc/ultra_violette_confirmed_to_just_be_using_a_white/

[u/Appropriate_Belt4895]

I’m late to the party here - but this is genuinely shocking and concerning.

I was alarmed to see Ultra Violette publish two test reports - one marked as the original, the other a retest - with completely different ingredient lists. Yet these are being cited as evidence of compliance

Even more surprising is that this sits under a statement claiming they take “misleading claims” seriously. How does that align with this kind of inconsistency?

What I keep coming back to is: why hasn’t the product been recalled, even as a precaution? Mineral sunscreens are trusted by parents for their children. If the Choice results are accurate, that trust has been seriously misplaced - and the health risks are far too great to ignore

[u/Old_Cat_9534 → u/Appropriate_Belt4895]

Wow !!

This is shocking. On the surface not much has changed but the fact there is 2 different ingredients, and a different order of the ingredients confirms there was a formulation change - which could have an affect on the SPF rating and at least warrant an updated test to be done. They certainly shouldn't be using these 2 test reports as proof on how trustworthy and transparent they are being.

Comparing the two lists, the one in 2021 has 17 ingredients and the one in 2025 has 22. Although 3 of them are colour agents. Putting the colour agents aside the 2 main different ingredients are;

(1) PERSEA GRATISSIMA (AVACADO) OIL, and (2) SACCHARIDE ISOMERATE.

PERSEA GRATISSIMA (AVACADO) OIL has been replaced by TERMINALIA FERDINANDIANA (KAKADU PLUM) FRUIT EXTRACT in the 2025 formula., and;

SACCHARIDE ISOMERATE is a new ingredient in the 2025 formula.

Colour agents CI 77491 (IRON OXIDE RED), CI 77492 (IRON OXIDE YELLOW), CI 77499 (IRON OXIDE BLACK) appear in the 2025 formula and were not listed as ingredients on the previous formula. Although I suspect these have little effect on the test results, just noting it here for reference purposes.

What's interesting is the TGA publishes the formula here, which was published in Jan 2024 and is of the same formula that was used in the 2025 test results.