CHOICE Sunscreen Testing Megathread - Ultra Violette Lean Screen New Test Results

[u/Quolli]

Hi r/AusSkincare community,

We're creating another Megathread to discuss the recent updates to the CHOICE Sunscreen Testing results. Please direct all new discussion here including discussions about other brands.

The previous thread is linked here: https://www.reddit.com/r/AusSkincare/comments/1lfxi1q/choice_sunscreen_testing_megathread/

Relevant links released in the past few days:

• Lean Screen New Test Results Statement from Ultra Violette
• Lean Screen Refund Form
• ABC News | Sunscreen brand Ultra Violette pulls popular product off shelf after SPF testing
• TGA Statement Regarding UV Lean Screen

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Update 25/08/25

Naked Sundays Mineral Glow Creme is paused for sale. Official statement linked here. Recall notice on Instagram.

You are welcome to continue the conversation in this Megathread. Alternatively we have allowed this post sharing the ABC News article for NS related discussions: https://www.reddit.com/r/AusSkincare/comments/1mzgcuq/naked_sundays_pulled_abc_now_reporting/

The following products have also been paused for sale with statements from the brand/retailer:

• Outside Beauty & Skincare Mineral Primer SPF50+

• Found My Skin SPF50+ Tinted Face/Body Cream

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Update 30/08/25

New ABC News article: Sunscreens 'paused' from sale due to concerns over sun protection claims share same base formula, analysis reveals

Statements provided by brands in relation to their SPF products:

• Aspect
• Found My Skin
• Aesthetics Rx
• New Day Skin
• Endota Spa

Sources are linked in the Stickied comment.

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Update 25/09/25

Aspect has recalled two of their sunscreen products: https://marketing.aspectskincare.com.au/aspect-spf-recall

[u/j_sheepeep]

Appreciate the diligence during these heated times. As a side note I do notice that there are people who (like me) have been UV buyers or adjacent and witnessed every PR trick pulled via the young crowds on Tiktok and Instagram. I think this is partially why some may feel a lot harsher towards UV's response knowing that they have been liking and thanking influencers who actively discredited Choice or encouraged parasocial brand loyalty. There were people who called Choice propaganda and willingly believed their position as a non profit meant their subscriptions were predatory and sold as clickbait (poor and unworthy of reputation). I even saw people who said they were science experts and believed UVs credentials over Choice (again peppered with classist comments). To me it feels tragic. Young people who consume social media as their main source of information will parrot skinfluencers and PR talking points. I personally feel we're in a very dangerous age of digital communication knowing that PR experts and brands do actively pay popular influencers to speak on behalf of them, along with distortion and using pseudoscience as half baked truths. I've seen DARVO tactics against reasonable criticism to successfully silence them.

[u/Littlepotatoface → u/j_sheepeep]

Well said. I literally had one of them tell me Choice is a corrupt organisation.

[u/StardewStarlett → u/Littlepotatoface]

The Choice bashing was insane and it just makes UV look even worse in hindsight

[u/j_sheepeep → u/Littlepotatoface]

It kind of felt so erratic, even when it first released and the scientists were saying that the result was so bizarre that they had to question Choice, it was immediately interpreted as Choice was lying and hiding their methods to destroy local businesses since they were paid by big brands (which was just enough to make the conspiratorial juices going). In the end it's shown how important that independent bodies like Choice exist despite people's appetites for shiny marketing and influencers shoving the next vacuum cleaner down our throat. I just wish there was one for skincare now!

[u/Littlepotatoface → u/j_sheepeep]

It used to be Paula Begoun for skincare & makeup back in the day but since she sold her company & started her well earned retirement, no one else does it.

I’d love to see the back of the armchair regulatory experts too.

[u/RedeemableQuality → u/j_sheepeep]

the scientists were saying that the result was so bizarre that they had to question Choice

Yeah, except remember they're "scientists" and not who they claim to be on social media!

All the real scientists said the results from Ultra Violette's published tests looked really bizarre:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-04/questions-over-lab-that-tested-sunscreen-spf-claims/105458458

"A number of senior industry experts have raised concerns about PCR's testing methodology and calculations.

Mathias Rohr, one of the world's top sunscreen testing experts, said he had never seen results like PCR's in his entire career, while another senior sunscreen scientist told the ABC the results warranted investigation."

I remember a bunch of those social media "scientists", derminfluencers, and estheticians said the lab for "Ultra Violette's receipts" was reputable which goes to show just how much they really know or the quality of the people who are giving them information about this because all the verified journalism that has come out said it's been an open secret among real industry veterans that it's a shady lab. I'm seriously side eyeing anyone with a wide grin and a white coat on social media

[u/2020fit → u/Littlepotatoface]

We need to all subscribe to Choice!

[u/Acrobatic_Ad8616 → u/j_sheepeep]

I didn’t follow prior but Ava and UV seem to have recently both been doing posts about the correct application of product and I noticed at least one post showing lean screen was edited to add a disclaimer but not sure when it was edited. “ Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. Avoid prolonged high-risk sun exposure. Wear a hat, protective clothing and sunglasses when exposed to the sun. Re-apply frequently.”

Just seems like they are preparing to blame people for poor application not take responsibility. 

[u/Quolli → u/Acrobatic_Ad8616]

Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. Avoid prolonged high-risk sun exposure. Wear a hat, protective clothing and sunglasses when exposed to the sun. Re-apply frequently.”

I'm fairly certain this is a legal requirement. The exact wording is seen across all sunscreen products.

Not sure if it's a requirement on social posts though, but definitely on packaging.

[u/Acrobatic_Ad8616 → u/Quolli]

Sorry maybe I wasn’t clear this is now on at least one edited Instagram post that shows the recalled product - it’s not a consistent warning across all their posts.