Ultra Violette is deeply committed to the health and safety of our customers and only work with reputable, TGA licensed manufacturers who perform substantial quality release testing in accordance with the strictest SPF standards in the world. Given our commitment to producing the highest quality sunscreens for consumers, we do not accept these results as even remotely accurate. It is also essential to note here that the recognised authority governing sunscreens in Australia is the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA), not Choice Magazine.
Ultra Violette first completed testing for Lean Screen in 2021 (with results of SPF of 64.32 to allow for an SPF 50+ rating) as required to support our listing on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), and again in 2024 in accordance with the FDA standard revealing consistent results for UVB. Additionally, we performed a separate UVA test and received a PA ++++ rating (the highest possible score for UVA protection).
However, to ensure complete transparency and peace of mind for our customers, when we were first alerted to Choice testing, we immediately initiated another 10 person test on the batch in question at an independent lab. We proactively initiated another urgent SPF test of the batch in question in April this year (2025). We retested our product in a full 10-person panel and the results have come back at 61.7, which is above the threshold required by the TGA to make a 50+ claim. Choice’s recent retest only included 5 participants, where 2 results were considered non validated, resulting in a sample size of only 3.
Over the past 4 years, we have conducted 3 different tests at independent labs vs. Choice’s 1.3 tests.
Lean Screen contains 22.75% zinc oxide, a level at which, when applied sufficiently, would render a testing result of SPF 4 scientifically impossible. We have a Certificate of Analysis to prove the zinc in this batch was in specification, so this was not a manufacturing issue.
Lean Screen was not identified in any supporting documentation from both Choice tests, therefore there is no guarantee that these test results are indeed reflective of this product. Due to the blind nature of this test, human error and the mix up of samples is a highly probable scenario. There is also the question as to whether the product was appropriately decanted and labelled correctly for this blind testing – as stated in the ARTG guidelines - and done so in a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) facility.
Reproducibility of results is a key element to scientific truth. Two blind tests with a very small sample size are not substantial in comparison to the extensive rounds of testing with supporting documentation Ultra Violette have conducted in accordance with the TGA testing guidelines.
We rigorously retest our entire SPF range every two years. Lean Screen has been on the market for 5 years in 29 countries and we have not received a single substantiated claim of sunburn during use – reinforcing our confidence in the testing we have. If the Choice results represented the actual level of protection offered, we would have had hundreds of cases of reported sunburn and skin damage while using this product in real life situations.
At Ultra Violette we take misleading claims made about our products very seriously. As a suncare brand founded in Australia, the country with the highest skin cancer rates in the world, we are too familiar with the fear mongering that exists in this category. It is disappointing that Choice has chosen to release what we view as misleading information in the interest of generating headlines – and not in the wellbeing of the general public. We believe consumers deserve the correct and most credible information to stay safe and informed when it comes to sun protection and our priority, as always, remains the health and trust of our customers.
