Skincare · SPF · Tested & ranked
SPF is the most important product in skincare, and Australia has the highest UV on earth. Our editors' daily SPF50+ pick, worn through an Australian summer, plus three sunscreens that met their label when an independent lab tested them.
The verdict
The best SPF in Australia is the La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50+ at AU$35, the SPF your dermatologist recommends, scored 9.3/10 by GLOW editors. Three more earn their place because an independent lab confirmed the label: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Wet Skin SPF50+ (tested at SPF 72 by CHOICE), Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Lotion SPF 50 (SPF 56) and Cancer Council Kids Sunscreen SPF50+ (SPF 52). We've removed Ultra Violette Queen Screen from this ranking, here's why.
Best overall: La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400, 9.3/10 · Lab-verified: Anthelios Wet Skin, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body, Cancer Council Kids, ranked by GLOW editorial team. Updated October 2026.
The full ranking
| Rank | Product | Best for | Result | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50+La Roche-Posay · chemical filter | Best overall | 9.3GLOW Score | AU$35 | Adore Beauty |
| 02 | La Roche-Posay Anthelios Wet Skin Sunscreen SPF50+La Roche-Posay · gel for wet or dry skin | Water and sport | SPF 72CHOICE lab | AU$46.99 (200mL) | Lab result |
| 03 | Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Lotion SPF 50Neutrogena · lightweight lotion | Everyday body | SPF 56CHOICE lab | About AU$20 (85mL) | Lab result |
| 04 | Cancer Council Kids Sunscreen SPF50+Cancer Council · fragrance-free lotion | Kids and family | SPF 52CHOICE lab | AU$15.95 (110mL) | Lab result |
The podium
One we wore through an Australian summer, and three that met their label when CHOICE sent 20 sunscreens to an accredited lab. Ultra Violette stays on the page, crossed out, so you know why it is gone.
Rank 01
The SPF your dermatologist recommends. Doesn't grease, doesn't white-cast, doesn't pill under makeup. At $35, the easiest yes in skincare.
Rank 02
The highest result of the 20 sunscreens CHOICE tested. A gel that can go straight onto wet skin, four hours water resistant, made for the whole family.
Lab resultRank 03
Labelled SPF 50, measured at 56. A lightweight, oil-free lotion with a dry-touch finish that is not greasy or shiny. Four hours water resistant.
Lab resultRank 04
Labelled SPF50+, measured at 52. Fragrance-free and paraben-free for delicate skin, four hours water resistant. Not for babies under six months.
Lab resultRemoved from ranking
We pulled Ultra Violette from this ranking after CHOICE independently found the brand's Lean Screen SPF50+ tested at SPF 4, and Ultra Violette recalled Lean Screen in consultation with the TGA. Until we're confident in the brand's SPF verification, it stays off our best-of list.
Editorial note Read why
The verdicts
No. 1, Best overall · 9.3/10
AU$35 · SPF50+ · chemical filter · the dermatologist default
The UVMune 400 filter protects against UVA, UVB and long-UVA, and the Invisible Fluid texture is the reason it wins: it disappears. No grease by mid-morning, no white cast on any panellist, no pilling under makeup. It's the SPF that removes every excuse people give for skipping SPF.
No. 2, Lab-verified · tested at SPF 72
AU$46.99 for 200mL · SPF50+ · gel · four hours water resistant
Of the 20 sunscreens CHOICE sent to an accredited lab, this returned the highest number: labelled SPF50+, measured at 72. La Roche-Posay describes it as an invisible gel that can be applied directly to wet skin, which makes it the beach, pool and sport option on this list.
No. 3, Lab-verified · tested at SPF 56
About AU$20 for 85mL · SPF 50 · lightweight lotion · four hours water resistant
Labelled SPF 50 and measured at 56. Neutrogena pitches it as a lightweight, oil-free lotion with a dry-touch finish that is not greasy, shiny or sticky. The result is specific to this product: Neutrogena's Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Lotion SPF 50 measured 24 in the same test.
No. 4, Lab-verified · tested at SPF 52
AU$15.95 for 110mL · SPF50+ · fragrance-free lotion · four hours water resistant
Labelled SPF50+ and measured at 52, and the least expensive pick on this page. It is fragrance-free and paraben-free and made for delicate skin. Again, the result belongs to this product only: three other Cancer Council sunscreens fell short of their label in the same test.
Removed from ranking
Editorial removal · June 2026
Ultra Violette Queen Screen previously placed in this ranking. We removed it after CHOICE independently found the brand's Lean Screen SPF50+ tested at SPF 4, the lowest of the 20 sunscreens it tested, with a second accredited German lab returning SPF 5. In August 2025 Ultra Violette voluntarily recalled Lean Screen in consultation with the TGA, with the ARTG listing cancelled and refunds offered. Until we're confident in the brand's SPF verification, it stays off our best-of list. Read our full investigation →
Field note
The test that matters isn't day one, it's the 4pm check on day forty, when the cheap SPF has greased through your makeup and the good one is still invisible. Anthelios passed that check every single time, at $35. That's why it wins.
GLOW Editorial Team
Common questions
Yes. UV comes through cloud cover, especially UVA (the ageing wavelength). Daily SPF is non-negotiable in Australia.
Both work. Chemical tends to feel lighter under makeup; physical (zinc-based) is gentler on sensitive skin.
SPF30 minimum, SPF50+ recommended. Broad-spectrum label required. Australia's TGA regulates SPF claims strictly.
Four of the 20 sunscreens CHOICE tested in 2025 met their label: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Wet Skin SPF50+ (tested at 72), Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Lotion SPF 50 (56), Cancer Council Kids Sunscreen SPF50+ (52) and Mecca Cosmetica To Save Body SPF50+ Hydrating Sunscreen (51). See the full pass and fail list.
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