Consumer NZ test raises concerns about sunscreens available in Australia: CHOICE
CHOICE has responded to a new Consumer NZ lab test of 10 sunscreen products, highlighting 6 out of the 7 products which are also available in Australia failed to meet their SPF claims. Consumer NZ used the same testing methods CHOICE applied in our 2025 testing.
One product, the Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Sun Moist Serum is not registered as a primary sunscreen and should not be sold in Australia, despite being available through online marketplaces, including through Kmart’s website.
Quotes attributable to Andy Kelly, Director of Consumer Impact, CHOICE:
“Testing by Consumer NZ has found that 6 of 7 sunscreens also available in Australia failed to meet their SPF claims. While they all still achieve a high level of protection, consumers should be able to trust that they’re getting the highest level of protection – as advertised on the bottle.”
“We’re particularly concerned to find an unregistered ‘sun serum’ by Beauty of Joseon for sale from Australian-based retailers including Kmart Marketplace, where it is advertised as a sunscreen in the product listing. We have referred this and the other results to the TGA to investigate.”
“These new test results from Consumer NZ continue to highlight issues with the regulation of sunscreen in Australia and are a timely reminder that the proposed improvements to testing requirements released by the TGA this week should be expedited. The TGA should also be conducting routine evaluation and testing of sunscreen products.”
Consumer NZ sent the results to the companies whose products did not meet their SPF label claims and asked for evidence supporting those claims. Their responses varied: some supplied earlier test reports or arranged further testing, while others declined to provide reports or did not respond.
