Product Safety NZ orders urgent recall of Aspect Sun SPF50+ sunscreens

Mutliple batches of Aspect Sun's Physical Sun Protection SPF50+ and Tinted Physical SPF50+ sunscreens have been recalled. Photo / Product Safety NZ

Two sunscreens are being pulled from shelves in New Zealand after testing revealed they may not offer the level of sun protection advertised.

Product Safety NZ issued an urgent recall of several batches of Aspect Sun’s Physical Sun Protection SPF50+ and Tinted Physical SPF50+ products.

“Preliminary results received from an independent laboratory show that the SPF level in these two products is unlikely to meet the labelled SPF rating,” the regulatory body said in a statement.

“A low SPF rating may increase the risk of sunburn during use and reduce the long-term effectiveness of preventing skin cancer.”

The recall encompasses Aspect Sun’s Tinted Physical SPF50+ with batch numbers A2451, A2191, A1976 and A1629 and Aspect Sun’s Physical Sun Protection SPF50+ from batches A2450, A2190, A1958 and A1492.

Consumers should stop using these products. “Customers may return their product, along with proof of purchase, to the place of purchase to request a refund or online.”

The products were known to be sold at 283 retailers between November 2022 and November 2025.

Other clinics and retail partners with stock of these batches are being advised to “cease the sale of the impacted products”.

Aspect Sun said it was taking the matter seriously.

“As a brand committed to sun safety and skin health, we are not satisfied with these outcomes and wish to act immediately. We have been working closely with the TGA and are now implementing an urgent recall.”

Sunscreen products sold in New Zealand must meet the AS/NZ 2604:2012 Sunscreen products standard which requires sunscreen products to be tested for safety and efficiency, specifically around their SPF protection.

Under the standard, sunscreen products must provide the protection advertised on the label and must label products clearly with:

• the SPF in durable and legible characters,
• clear instructions for product use, such as how to apply the product,
• other additional information depending on the product type as required in the AS/NZ 2604:2012 standard.

In August, beauty retailer Mecca pulled a Naked Sundays sunscreen off shelves in its New Zealand stores after controversial test results released in Australia.

Ultra Violette also urgently recalled its mineral sunscreen after it failed f tests.

Both came after consumer advocacy group Choice reported in June it had tested 20 of Australia’s most popular SPF50 and SPF50+ sunscreens and found 16 failed to deliver the level of the protection they advertised. Eleven were available to purchase in Aotearoa.