16 Popular Sunscreens Just Got Called Out—Are You Using One of Them?

The Australian sun is famously unforgiving; protecting your skin from ultraviolet (UV) damage is not just a matter of beauty—it’s essential for long-term health. But here’s the harsh truth: sun exposure accelerates ageing far beyond what you see on the surface; and many Australians are unknowingly relying on products that fall short of their promises.

Prolonged sun exposure causes photoageing; a process where UV radiation breaks down collagen, triggers oxidative stress, and damages DNA. This doesn’t just lead to wrinkles and dark spots; it causes your cells to lose energy and function over time. At the cellular level, UV rays deplete NAD⁺ levels; essential molecules that fuel DNA repair and mitochondrial function.

The result?
Your body ages faster, inside and out.

Most Australians trust that when they apply an SPF50+ sunscreen, they’re getting maximum protection from the sun; after all, that’s what the label says. But recent testing suggests otherwise; and it’s a bigger problem than most Australians realise.

What the CHOICE Report Found

A 2023 investigation by CHOICE, Australia's leading consumer advocacy group, tested 21 popular sunscreens sold across the country. The results were eye-opening:

• 16 of the 21 sunscreens failed to meet the SPF rating stated on the label

• Some offered as little as SPF29, even though they were labelled SPF50+

• Several were endorsed by major health organisations , giving consumers a false sense of security

This isn’t just a case of marketing fluff, it’s a serious public health concern , especially in a country with one of the highest UV indexes in the world.

Why This Matters for Skin and Cellular Health

SPF, or Sun Protection Factor , measures how well a sunscreen protects your skin from UVB rays , which cause burning. But that’s only part of the picture. The sun also emits:

• UVA rays , which penetrate deeper and damage skin cells from within

• Infrared and visible light , which contribute to oxidative stress and collagen breakdown

So even if a sunscreen delivers the SPF it claims (and many don’t), it may not fully protect your skin from premature ageing, cellular damage, or long-term DNA mutations .

Now imagine using a sunscreen that doesn’t even reach its stated SPF50+—you're left exposed to up to 70% more UV damage than you think.

The False Sense of Protection

When we believe our sunscreen is doing its job, we often stay in the sun longer or skip other protective steps. But if the sunscreen is underperforming , this creates a “false shield”:

• You absorb more UV damage than expected

• Your cells work overtime to repair DNA breaks and restore ATP levels

• NAD⁺ depletion increases, accelerating signs of ageing

This kind of cumulative exposure leads to what scientists call photoageing —wrinkles, pigmentation, sagging skin, and even increased cancer risk.

Even the best sunscreen is primarily a barrier —it blocks or absorbs UV rays to prevent burning. But it doesn’t actively repair the damage that’s already occurring on a molecular level. UVA rays, which penetrate deep into the skin, continue to affect mitochondria, damage cellular DNA, and accelerate ageing—regardless of how thickly you apply SPF.

To truly slow ageing, you need internal support —nutrients that restore what UV exposure depletes.

Much like the SPF scandal, the world of anti-ageing supplements—especially NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide)—faces a credibility crisis.

A 2024 report from researchers in Singapore tested several NMN supplements sold, including products marketed as “high purity” and “clinically dosed.” Here’s what they found:

• Nearly 50% of tested NMN supplements contained less NMN than stated

• Some had no NMN at all —despite promising 300–500 mg per serving

• Only a small fraction of brands underwent third-party lab testing

This is alarming, especially since NMN is marketed as a powerful NAD⁺ booster for anti-ageing, energy, and brain health. Without accurate dosing, these products fail to support cellular repair —and could be nothing more than expensive placebos.

That’s why we created the Age Defence System, a scientifically backed approach to protecting your body on multiple fronts. This three-product bundle— The Repair, The Protect, The Cleanse —offers a strategically layered approach to slow ageing, enhance detoxification, and boost mitochondrial vitality at the cellular level.

The sun ages us every single day; silently and relentlessly. While sunscreen remains one of the most important tools for skin protection, it only forms the first line of defence. It acts as a surface-level shield, helping to block harmful UV rays from causing visible damage like sunburn and pigmentation. But what it doesn’t do is address the deeper, invisible damage happening at a cellular level; DNA breaks, ATP depletion, and the slow erosion of your skin’s regenerative power.

This is where most products fall short. From underperforming sunscreens that don’t meet their SPF claims to anti-ageing supplements that contain little or none of their advertised active ingredients, too many people are unknowingly leaving their skin and cells exposed. And it’s not just older adults; cellular ageing begins early, especially in Australia’s extreme UV environment.

That’s why the Age Defence System was created. It’s a comprehensive solution that goes beyond surface protection. Third-party ingredient tested, our cellular repair supplement helps your body repair the damage, restore NAD⁺ levels, and protect and cleanse your cells from the inside out.

In a world where product claims often go unchecked, real anti-ageing starts with real accountability.

The Age Defence System isn’t just skincare; it’s cell care.

Because protecting your future self means more than just avoiding sunburn; it means defending your skin and your cells, every single day.