In short:

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) says 21 sunscreens that share the same base formulation have been recalled, paused or are under its review.

The TGA says it has "significant concerns" about the reliability of SPF testing undertaken by Princeton Consumer Research (PCR), an overseas laboratory many sunscreen brands used to support their SPF claims.

The agency says it has written to PCR about its concerns, but has not received a response.

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[–] Nath@aussie.zone 7 points 6 hours ago

If your favourite brand comes in at 20+ instead of 50+, it's fine to keep using it. I won't say this is a beat-up, but they're making out like you should throw your sunscreen out, when 20 odd years ago all sunscreens were 24+ and that was normal. Just be sure to re-apply it every two hours if you are in the sun a long time.

For most of the affected brands, this is more a potential issue with false advertising than public safety. Also noteworthy that most of the brands produced results from independent testing when approached for comment. The Cancer Council said they're going to submit their affected products for another round of tests with another lab. So the brands are taking this seriously and most of them appear to be acting in good faith.

Most of Choice's tests were performed on ten volunteers in line with Australian and international standards. Three tests were performed on five volunteers.

This is important to remember. We aren't talking big sample sizes, here. It's really important to shine a light on Sunscreens and be certain they are up to the task. But at the same time, don't overreact.

Ultra Violette's Lean Screen SPF50+ Mattifying Zinc Sunscreen, which costs $52 for 75 millilitres, and returned an SPF rating of four.

Ok, so this one is difficult to defend - I wouldn't use it. 😂