Ultra Violette Sunscreen Recall in New Zealand: Lean Screen SPF

If you’ve been slathering on Ultra Violette’s popular Lean Screen sunscreen, New Zealand consumer safety authorities want you to stop—and reach for your refund. The SPF 50+ product, which flew off Sephora shelves and sold direct through the brand’s website, is now the subject of a full recall after independent testing revealed its actual protection could be far lower than advertised. The revelation has rippled across the sunscreen industry and raised questions about what other products might be affected.

Recalled Product: Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF 50+ · Reason for Recall: SPF level as low as 4 · Recall Date: 22 August 2025 · Sold At: Sephora and Ultra Violette website · Broader Issue: Multiple sunscreens with lower than claimed SPF

The table below summarises the key facts driving this recall and what consumers need to know.

Which Ultra Violette sunscreens have been recalled?

Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF 50+

Ultra Violette has recalled Lean Screen SPF 50+ (AUST L 332788) for all batches after independent testing revealed wildly inconsistent sun protection. The product, registered on Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration, was pulled from shelves on 22 August 2025 following a formal statement from the regulator confirming the recall. Product Safety New Zealand issued its own recall notice on the same date, making it official for New Zealand consumers.

The Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods listing for Lean Screen was voluntarily cancelled on 5 September 2025, removing the product from legal sale. Grace & Fire Pty Ltd was the sponsor responsible for the product’s registration.

What sunscreen brands have been recalled?

Six sunscreens recalled over SPF labelling

The Lean Screen recall is not an isolated incident. CHOICE testing released in June 2025 found that 16 out of 20 sunscreens failed to meet their labelled SPF claims—a stunning failure rate that prompted regulatory action across Australia and New Zealand. The broader investigation has expanded to include sunscreens using the same base formulation as Lean Screen.

Wild Child Laboratories Pty Ltd is the manufacturer behind the base formulation that has raised regulatory concerns. Preliminary TGA testing indicates SPF unlikely exceeds 21 for this base, with some goods testing as low as 4. Multiple sponsors using this formulation have faced cancellations or mandatory recalls. New Day Skin Sunscreen SPF50+ was cancelled by the TGA effective 1 October 2025, while Allganics Light Sunscreen SPF50+ faces cancellation effective 9 October 2025.

Third sunscreen pulled from NZ shelves

The Ultra Violette Lean Screen recall marks the third sunscreen pulled from New Zealand shelves as the investigation unfolds. As of 30 September 2025, the TGA had raised concerns over 20 sunscreens total, with further recalls issued on 26 September 2025 for Aspect Sun and Aesthetic RX products. Additional brands including Naked Sundays, Outside Beauty, Found My Skin, and Endota paused sales following the CHOICE revelations on 27 August 2025.

Is Ultra Violette sunscreen safe to use?

Safety of non-recalled products like Supreme Screen

The recall specifically targets Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF 50+—the brand’s other products have not been included in the recall. Ultra Violette has stated it is confident in the rest of its product line after conducting additional testing on non-recalled items. The company has switched testing labs—it’s no longer using the original laboratory that produced inconsistent results for Lean Screen—and has committed to stricter protocols for all future product launches.

New products will now be SPF tested at a minimum of two independent BIPEA-audited labs prior to launch, with retesting frequency increased to every 18 months using off-the-shelf samples purchased directly from retailers rather than from company stock.

For consumers concerned about using other Ultra Violette products, the brand has emphasised that Lean Screen was the only sunscreen manufactured by the third-party facility in question, and the company will no longer work with that manufacturer. Those with specific concerns about any Ultra Violette product should consult a healthcare professional.

What are the 6 sunscreens recalled?

List from NZ and Australia recalls

As of the recall dates, the official count of sunscreens affected by the formulation issue stands at approximately 18 products across Australia and New Zealand. The list includes Lean Screen, New Day Skin SPF50+, and Allganics Light Sunscreen SPF50+, among others. The TGA maintains an updated list of sunscreens using the same base formulation as Lean Screen on its official page.

The TGA can require mandatory recalls under Section 30EA of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 if sponsors do not voluntarily comply. Grace & Fire Pty Ltd, as Lean Screen’s sponsor, coordinated the voluntary cancellation with the TGA. Other sponsors facing similar regulatory pressure include those behind New Day Skin and Allganics products.

Sunscreens using same base as Lean Screen

Wild Child Laboratories Pty Ltd manufactured the base formulation that connects multiple recalled sunscreens. The TGA’s investigation has identified a pattern: sunscreens using this specific base have consistently underperformed in independent testing, with preliminary results suggesting SPF levels far below their labelled ratings. The base formulation’s issues appear inherent to the formula itself rather than isolated to individual batches.

This has implications beyond the immediate recall—consumers who have used any sunscreen on the affected list may have received significantly less sun protection than expected. The risk is heightened for those using these products expecting SPF 50+ protection while actually receiving SPF levels comparable to light daily moisturisers.

How to get refunds for Ultra Violette recall in New Zealand?

Refund process via Sephora or brand site

New Zealand consumers holding Ultra Violette Lean Screen can seek a refund through two channels: directly from the Ultra Violette website or from the retailer where they made the purchase. Product Safety New Zealand’s official advice is to discontinue use immediately and seek a refund from the original place of purchase or the brand’s website.

Ultra Violette has committed to issuing both refunds and product vouchers to all customers regardless of where they purchased the product. The company has set up a dedicated page at ultraviolette.com.au/pages/lean-screen-update with instructions for claiming a refund. For purchases made at Sephora New Zealand, consumers should contact the store directly or use Sephora’s customer service channels to process the return.

Those with health concerns related to using the product should consult a healthcare professional. While Product Safety NZ notes the risk of increased sunburn and reduced skin cancer prevention, there have been no reported adverse health incidents as part of the recall documentation.