Sunscreens Sold in NZ Fail to Meet SPF Claims — What’s Really Going On?
- Natalie Jones
- Nov 11, 2025
- 3 min read
Every year, headlines pop up claiming that sunscreens sold in New Zealand (and most recently, Australia) fail to meet SPF claims. It’s worrying, confusing, and enough to make anyone question what (and who) to trust when it comes to sun protection.
I’ve been following this story closely and wanted to share a clear, honest take on what’s really happening behind the scenes—and how we do things differently at Smidge.
What the SPF***!?
Consumer NZ and international testers regularly find that some sunscreens don’t meet their labelled SPF. Recently, more sunscreens were pulled from shelves after failing to meet SPF standards - this time in Australia (RNZ, 1 Oct 2025). 11 of these sunscreens are sold in NZ (Consumer NZ, 2 Oct 2025)
So, why does this keep happening? Well, the truth is... it’s complicated.
The Shady Side of Sunscreen Testing
Unfortunately, not every sunscreen brand plays fair. Here’s what’s been uncovered over the years:
Shady labs – Some falsify test results to make products look better than they are.
Questionable manufacturers – Certain brands buy untested formulations and slap their label on, without proper verification.
Pretty dodgy, right? But here’s the twist—even reputable brands using accredited labs can end up with SPF results that don’t hold up later. That’s because:
SPF can degrade over time, especially in chemical-based sunscreens.
Small changes in the manufacturing process (like mixing speeds or ingredient batches) can affect final SPF results.
What Smidge is Doing
Our SPF is tested at Eurofins Dermatest Labs in Australia—a highly reputable lab, and the same one Consumer NZ has used when re-testing sunscreens in New Zealand. We have supplied all of our paperwork to Consumer NZ and the details are listed publicly in their online Sunscreen Database.
I formulated Smidge myself AND organised the testing personally so I know exactly what's in it and that it was tested. In fact, below is a screenshot of our SPF test results 👇
Most importantly, we are honest about the need to reapply sunscreen often!! Some brands say 4 hours plus but we follow what Dermatologists in NZ advise which is to re-apply every 2 hours, even if it claims to give you longer protection. This is where you come in - you need to reapply all sunscreen often, and before sun exposure to be adequately protected.
21 sunscreens that used the same base formulation have been recalled by the TGA
The TGA advises consumers who have purchased one of the affected sunscreens "may wish to consider using an alternative product until the TGA completes its review".
Aspect SunSPF50+ Physical Sun Protection
Aspect SunSPF50+ Tinted Physical Sun Protection
Aesthetics RxUltra Protection Sunscreen Cream
New Day SkinGood Vibes Sunscreen SPF50+
New Day SkinHappy Days Sunscreen SPF50+
AllganicsLight Sunscreen SPF50+
Beauti-FLTRLustre Mineral SPF50+
Found My SkinSPF 50+ Tinted Face/Body Cream
Ethical ZincDaily Wear Light Sunscreen
Ethical ZincDaily Wear Tinted Facial Sunscreen (Dark)
Ethical ZincDaily Wear Tinted Facial Sunscreen (Light)
EndotaMineral Protect SPF50 Sunscreen
We are Feel Good IncMineral Sunscreen SPF50+
GlindaWandThe Fountain of Youth Environmental Defence Cream SPF50+
Ultra VioletteLean Screen SPF50+
Ultra VioletteVelvet Screen SPF50
People4OceanSPF 50+
Mineral Bioactive Shield Lightly Tinted Cream
McoBeautySPF50+ Mineral Mattifying Sunscreen
Naked SundaysCollagen Glow Mineral Sunscreen
Outside Beauty & SkincareSPF 50+ Mineral Primer
SalusSPF50+ Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad Spectrum
TL;DR
Keep wearing sunscreen. Seriously. Even if some sunscreens fail to meet SPF claims, most still offer some protection—and that’s far better than none.
✅ Use sunscreen daily
✅ Reapply every 2 hours
✅ Check Consumer NZ’s Sunscreen Database before you buy
If you want a NZ-made, trusted, and proven SPF, Smidge is right here for you.
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