ABC News has allegedly found that a zinc sunscreen base formula, which failed multiple preliminary tests, is being used across 31 different brands in Australia. This base formula allegedly showed an SPF protection in the low to mid 20s rather than the advertised 50+.

A whistle blower found a zinc base formula tested lower than its claimed SPF

Whistle blower and founder of MooGoo Craig Jones tested his own sunscreen – which used a base from Advance ZincTek – when he noticed problem with a zinc oxide shipment. He discovered that batch was testing at SPF 27 rather than the promised SPF 40. As a result, he had to discard over $400,000 of stock.

After he moved suppliers and contacted the TGA to report his findings, the incident prompted him to look further than just his brand. Jones tested another sunscreen he alleges uses the same Advance ZincTek base formula that failed his first test. Here it received a result of 21 for a product labelled SPF50. Jones then contacted the ABC.

The two companies under scrutiny are base formula supplier Advance ZincTek and sunscreen manufacturer VeganicSKN

Advance ZincTek is deeply connected to sunscreen manufacturer VeganicSKN. They share some directors and ownership interests through immediate family connections. The ABC article alleges VeganicSKN sunscreens use the base formulas from Advance ZincTek – meaning there are 31 potentially affected products.

Additionally, investigators found that all 31 sunscreens share the same regulatory listing number (AUST-L 407959) – a practice that may be illegal.

VeganicSKN has strongly disputed the preliminary test results, arguing the legitimacy of the testing target and that Jones’ test only include five subjects rather than the minimum 10 required by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. While VeganicSKN has provided documents showing SPF results above 50, one of the labs that conducted the tests is owned by the same zinc supplier. This naturally raises conflict-of-interest concerns.

The TGA says it is concerned about the preliminary data and is now considering formal investigation and possible regulatory action.

Why are so many sunscreens allegedly failing post-consumer testing?

The ABC’s investigation follows a Choice investigation from earlier in 2025 which resulted in more than 20 sunscreens being pulled from shelves, owing to widely used base formula that failed SPF testing.

It’s raised question around how sunscreens are tested in Australia. Sunscreens must comply with testing and labelling requirements in the Australia/New Zealand standard for sunscreens, which incorporates internationally recognised ISO standards. But there doesn’t appear to be a requirement as to who can test sunscreens and which labs can test them.

When RUSSH asked the TGA in June of 2025 if sunscreen brands were legally required to use a lab to test their sunscreens, and if so, do those labs have any accreditation they need to accede to, a spokesperson responded with: “In general, sunscreen sponsors (product owners) do not conduct SPF testing in-house. There are limited SPF testing facilities globally, sunscreen sponsors are likely to rely on 3rd party laboratories to conduct these tests.”

It is still unclear whether brands are legally required to use a lab to test their sunscreens, and whether that lab needs to hold accreditation.

Do we have a list of the potentially affected sunscreens?

We currently don’t have a list of the affected products but the ABC has included a picture of some of them in the article around their investigation.

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Originally scouted as a model on the streets of Harajuku, Komatsu has gone on to become one of Japan’s most decorated stars. Her breakout came in 2014, when she starred in the gripping film, The World of Kanako. The performance earned her the Newcomer of the Year award at the 38th Japan Academy Film Prize; a testament to her talent early on.

From that point, her cinematic career has been dynamic but fearless: Takafumi Nanatsuki’s My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday, Michihito Fujii’s The Last 10 Years and Martin Scorsese’s Silence (the latter a historical drama co-starring Adam Driver, Andrew Garfield and Liam Neeson). Komatsu was also acclaimed Best Actress at the 2019 Yokohama Film Festival for Akihiko Shiota’s Sayonara Kuchibiru, as well as making her debut at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year for Exit 8(8 Ban Deguchi), directed by Genki Kawamura.

Parallel to her film career, Komatsu has been quietly shaping her presence within fashion. She’s been a CHANEL ambassador since 2016, regularly attending runway shows, events and appearing in campaigns (we especially love this one for Coco Neige). This new chapter within the beauty metier only deepens her relationship with the house. 

“I am truly honored to be named Ambassador for CHANEL Beauty,” Komatsu shares. “I believe beauty lies not only in each person’s unique individuality, but also in cultivating inner beauty. To me, CHANEL is a major source of inspiration. It’s been ten years since I became a Fashion Ambassador, and the time I’ve shared with CHANEL is, without a doubt, one of the greatest treasures of my life – it feels like family to me. I am deeply grateful, and I look forward to continuing this journey together.”

The reverence is echoed by CHANEL, who are known for cultivating long-term relationships with those in artistic fields. “Nana embodies a rare and magnetic beauty,” shares Thomas du Pré de Saint Maur, Head of Global Creative Resources, Fragrance & Beauty. “Collaborating with her was a dream I had cherished for many years. Patience, which lies at the heart of our creative convictions, has been rewarded: today, Nana brings to the House an energy and vitality that is perfectly in tune with the spirit of CHANEL.”

Images: supplied, @konichan7

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Japanese fashion houses have a long history of distilling design codes into something sensory, but Onitsuka Tiger’s debut fragrance collection feels like a particularly compelling extension of the brand’s world. 

Based on the theme, ‘Wearing Quiet Radiance’, the launch translates its athletic heritage, clean-lined modernity and reverence for Japanese craft into olfactive form. The result is a tightly edited offering; four considered compositions that speak to mood, movement and quiet confidence.

Crafted by leading perfumer Mark Buxton, the scents are all produced entirely in Grasse, France, from raw material selection to extraction, blending and bottling. They draw inspiration from heritage while remaining modern and innovative – clean, essential and dynamic, but still a meaningful signature. 

Founded in 1949, Onitsuka Tiger began with a simple premise: to create shoes that supported the wellbeing of young people in post-war Japan. Over the decades, its sneakers became icons of design, melding sport, style and a thoughtful attention to detail. Today, the brand occupies a unique space between performance and fashion, with an aesthetic that’s instantly recognisable. These new fragrances feel like a natural progression: an exploration of identity that goes beyond what we wear and into how we self express. 

Explore the collection and discover a favourite below: 

Onitsuka Tiger One

Described as ‘multi-dimensional radiance; grace that lingers from within’, One is pure and tranquil – a grounding mix of mint, lemon, jasmine, patchouli and guaiac wood. It’s refreshing but comforting – the kind of scent you want to keep close.

Onitsuka Tiger Two

Two is bright but comforting – a weightless opening of bergamot and lemon that diffuses to reveal esoteric notes of incense, sandalwood and powdery musk. Somewhat meditative, Two will leave you feeling calm, clear and quietly confident.

Onitsuka Tiger Three

 If you prefer your perfume slightly bolder and somewhat rich, Three is textured and warm. It has the Earthiness of a forest – dry wood, sweet soil and fragrant leaves. You can expect notes of angelica root, violet, sandalwood, cardamom, rose and salty air. 

Onitsuka Tiger Four

Bold, sharp and a little bit spicy, Four is perhaps the loudest of the collection. It opens with a bang: lemon and zingy peppermint, before drying down to reveal sensual nutmeg, vanilla, vetiver and absinth oil. It’s energising but with depth – perfect for channeling feelings of confidence. 

The Onitsuka Tiger fragrance collection is available worldwide, but exclusively in Australia at the George Street boutique, Sydney.

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But just this morning, it was announced that Hailey Bieber is heading to Sydney for a surprise trip next February, where she’ll be appearing at the Sydney Opera House for Vogue‘s Forces of Fashion talk. Could this be the sign that we needed? Let’s investigate.

So, will Rhode come to Australia?

At this point in time, Bieber has not disclosed that her trip has to do with an Australian expansion of her beauty brand. However, she’s perfectly primed for more global expansion, and a trip down under would be ripe for announcing this.

In the meantime, we’ll be stocking up on our favourite Rhode dupes to keep our skin glowing.

Will E.l.f. Cosmetics bring Rhode to Australia?

While there’s no official confirmation yet, there are a few promising signs. E.l.f. Cosmetics already has a strong presence in Australia, stocked by major local retailers like Adore Beauty, and known for its affordable, high-performance products. With the acquisition of Rhode, it’s not a stretch to think the company could leverage its existing global production and distribution infrastructure to bring Bieber’s brand to Australian shelves.

When the cosmetics brand acquired Rhode, Bieber took to Instagram to break the news, writing, “I am so incredibly excited and proud to announce that we are partnering with e.l.f. Beauty as we step into this next chapter in the world of rhode. I found a like-minded disruptor with a vision to be a different kind of company that believes in big ideas and innovation in the same way that I do and will help us continue to grow the brand. I feel invigorated, excited and more ready than ever to step into an even bigger role as Chief Creative Officer, and Head of Innovation of rhode as well as strategic advisor to e.l.f. Beauty.”

What about Sephora?

Adding to the speculation, Rhode recently made Sephora US its first-ever retail partner, marking the first time the brand has been available outside of its own website. That move signals a clear intention to scale – and potentially expand globally.

And in a move that gives us hope, we only need to look at Glossier – another cult US beauty brand with a once-impossible-to-get reputation – which finally landed on Australian shores via Mecca last year. If that long-awaited launch proved anything, it’s that the demand is here, and the appetite for buzzy, celebrity-backed skincare is only growing.

And if Rhode were to follow suit, whether through Mecca, Sephora Australia, or direct distribution via E.l.f., there’s no doubt the reception would be huge.

Feature image: one, two.

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For those of us playing along from Australia, we know that, traditionally, it can take some time for the latest and greatest in beauty to land on our shores. So, when will Dua by AB Science land in our hot little hands? Here’s what we know about shopping from Australia.

Can you buy it in Australia?

Yep! Although, upon launch, DUA by AB Science was only shipped to the UK, France, Germany, Spain, and the US, as of November 18, Australia has been added to that list.

For those looking to shop IRL, it’s worth noting that the original Augustinus Bader products are all readily available in store in Australia,via MECCA. We’d guess it’s likely only a matter of time before DUA by AB Science follows suit. Watch this space.

How much is shipping?

International express shipping is priced at $29.95 to major cities.

What’s included in the DUA by AB Science line

The debut range includes three products: the Balancing Cream Cleanser, the Renewal Cream, and the Supercharged Glow Complex. Prices sit between £32 and £65 (approximately A$65 to A$125), making it a noticeable step down from the main Augustinus Bader collection.

Each formula is powered by a new proprietary complex called TFC5, designed to promote skin renewal and balance. It’s a sister technology to the brand’s signature TFC8®, which has made Augustinus Bader a staple on bathroom shelves worldwide — including Lipa’s own. The singer has previously named the brand’s Rich Cream and Eye Patches among her skincare essentials.

Shop the line

Renewal Cream

Supercharged Glow Complex

Balancing Cream Cleanser

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A post shared by @phoebephilo

Everything about it is perfect: the shape, the translucency and the range of colours – it’s maximalist and fun but still elevated (incredible work by the woman responsible Sylvie Macmillan, who is actually a former nail artist – imagine being that talented).

The look is good enough to emulate straight up, but also also makes a convincing case for painting each nail a different colour (very party season coded). Our very own Jess Blanch is a fan – note her manicure by Sydney nail artist Tulin Coban.

A post shared by LUX MANICURES BY TULIN (@tulincoban)

A post shared by LUX MANICURES BY TULIN (@tulincoban)

The multi-coloured manicure look can be reimagined in whatever colour combination speaks to you, but we’re particularly into muted shades of blue, red, green, cream, taupe, grey, black and chocolate. As for the shape, a short but tidy square or ‘squoval’ keeps it polished (not costume-y or over the top). You could painstakingly paint them at home, or ask your nail artist to use classic polish, BIAB or gel (for further reading, here’s our guide to every type of manicure, as well as an explainer on why the EU recently banned gel).

With that being said, consider the multi-coloured manicure the nail look of the minute. Some more inspiration, as well as a few expertly chosen colour choices, below:

A post shared by Katie Merchant (@thankyou_ok)

A post shared by Katie Merchant (@thankyou_ok)

A post shared by Teresa Karpinska (@theteresakarpinska)

A post shared by private nail studio by the sea (@okkonails)

Nail polish shades to try

Hermes Nail Polish in Vert Ecossais

Dior Vernis in Denim

OPI Nail Lacquer Got The Blues for Red

CHANEL Le Vernis in Particuliere

Essie Nail Polish in Lady Like

The post The best manicure colour for the 2025 party season is… all of them appeared first on RUSSH.

The morning started with coffee, matcha and The Beauty Chef Collagen Boost elixirs. Guests including Sean Brady, Mana Mackay, Elfy Scott, Serena Wardell and Maggie Hewitt slowly filled the space – a warm, textured room scattered with wooden stools, native flowers and poster boards of Broadsheet cover girl Devon Lee Carlson.

Once everyone was settled and sufficiently caffeinated, the conversation began. Emily opened by reflecting on the essence of the second RUSSH Beauty Annual 2.0 – a version of beauty that intersects voyeurism, creativity and self expression. A collection of thoughtful essays, think pieces, images and interviews, the annual emphasises that beauty comes in all forms; it’s less about how we look, and more about a feeling.

The conversation then shifted over to Emma, whose eponymous brand recently achieved the world’s highest B Corp score within the luxury skincare space. The founder shared her perspective on the power of purpose-driven innovation and spoke candidly about creating systems that nourish both people and planet. The discussion touched on transparency, sustainability and the emotional resonance of rituals – how skincare can be both a scientific pursuit and a personal salve. As she shared insights from her journey, guests nodded and hung to every word, Emma’s inspiring aura could be very much felt.

After the talk, conversations spilled out into the sidewalk. More friends stopped by – dogs, too – to enjoy the sunshine, a Beauty Chef collagen elixir and leave with their copy of the annual.

The morning felt emblematic of what RUSSH stands for: connection, conversation, and creativity in real life. A reminder that beauty, at its core, is not only seen but shared.

A look at the morning that was, below:

1/23    

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I think there’s a few contributing factors, the first being that some of us are literally just tired – concealing our under eyes is yet another job to do. The world is bleak at the moment; looking bright and energised feels at odds with the current state of affairs.

It also feels like a response to the prevalence of lower blepharoplasty, a surgical procedure where excess fat and skin is removed from the lower eye area (basically your eye bags are sliced out before the skin is restitched resulting in a tighter, more youthful appearance). People should absolutely do what they want with their faces, but eye bags are actually pretty common from a biological standpoint. Some of us are getting older and thus loosing collagen while for others, hollowness and sagging are just genetic. The same goes for dark circles. Yes, there can be a thinning of skin and more visible blow flow because of it, but most of the time it’s predisposed.

It’s part of the reason as to why Léa Seydoux is trending online – her puffy under eyes are being called out as sexy, chic and French. And they are. But the point is not to position eye bags as more desirable than no eye bags (because some people literally don’t have them) but instead to emphasise the fact that we’re all hot the way we are, tired or not tired. Jessica Defino actually wrote a great piece about it here.

I think the trend can also be directly correlated to Charli XCX and party culture. It’s hot to stay out all night and then wear the remnants of your eyeliner like a badge of honour the next day. Kate Moss pioneered this, and makeup artists have been trying to recreate the lived-in look ever since. Eyeliner looks best when it’s smudged and messy – maybe you got to sleep around 3 a.m. and ‘forgot’ to wash your face. When you wake up, most of your makeup is gone, albeit a little smudged liner. Dark circles only add to the telltale signs of a good time. Gabbriette Batchel is another leader and muse in this space.

Finally, on the other end of the spectrum, there’s also the belief that looking sleepy is cute. RHODE released a mauve Pocket Blush shade called Sleepy Girl for a ‘just woken up’ glow. The brand also launched under-eye patches, but you get the idea. TikTok is awash with sleepy girl makeup tutorials heavy on flushed cheeks and shadowy eyes. You can participate or opt out, but if you are sick of working hard to look flawless and ‘bright’, maybe this will encourage you to embrace any signs of life that show up on our faces.

If you want to look like a sleepy girl, try these things:

Skip the concealer

The easiest way to embrace your exhaustion is to skip under-eye concealer and brighteners and just let your dark circles be. You can even add mascara to your bottom lashes – the length will cast a slight shadow, enhancing any darkness.

Try a grey or taupe shadow

Content creator and editor Lara Violetta is the blueprint when it comes to tired girl makeup, but with a high fashion edge. Her go to is a grey, taupe or cool-toned shadow under her eyes, while keeping the rest of her face void of colour.

A post shared by Lara (@laravioletta)

Emulate morning after makeup

If you want to emulate Charli or Kate, try smudging in a very soft black or grey eyeliner into your lash line and water line. Pair it with almost-nude skin and a little gloss (fake sweat) for a 365 party girl kind of finish.

A post shared by Nina Park (@ninapark)

Images: @charlixcx, @gabbriette, @laravioletta, @leaseydouxfr

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If you diligently wear sunscreen (or even if you don’t) it’s likely you’ve been following the CHOICE SPF report that ultimately caused Australian sunscreen brand Ultra Violette to recall its popular Lean Screen after it received inconsistent results in testing.

It’s been reported following an investigation by the TGA that 21 other sunscreen formulas have been pulled from shelves for similar concerns (many of which have been produced in part by the same manufacturer).

Sun protection is important, especially in Australia, so it’s worth checking the list of recalled sunscreens to ensure you’re not using an impacted product.

A list of recalled sunscreens for incorrectly advertised SPF ratings:

A quick summary of the original CHOICE report

A few months ago, consumer advocacy group CHOICE brought up concerns around sunscreen efficacy in Australia after independent lab testing found that 16 out of 20 popular SPF 50 (or 50+) formulations failed to meet their claimed protection levels.

Of particular note was Ultra Violette’s Lean Screen SPF 50+, which returned SPF 4 in the CHOICE trial. In response, Ultra Violette commissioned additional testing across multiple labs, finding inconsistent readings (ranging from SPF 4 to SPF 64). Ultimately the brand withdrew the Lean Screen product and offered refunds or credits to customers.

So why are other sunscreens now being recalled?

Off the back of the CHOICE report, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) launched a broader investigation which has since flagged 21 sunscreen formulas (across 17 companies) for review or recall.

One detail that’s come out from all of this is one base sunscreen formula used across several brands – including Ultra Violette – manufactured by Wild Child Laboratories. Preliminary testing of this specific sunscreen base has suggested a maximum SPF of 21 (i.e. below labelled claims). So basically, any sunscreen brand that has used the aforementioned base to make its SPF has been forced to review the formula, potentially pausing sales or recalling it from the market.

The TGA said in a statement: “Lean Screen was manufactured using the same base formulation as a number of other sunscreens. The manufacturer of that base formulation, Wild Child Laboratories Pty Ltd, has now received preliminary SPF testing results for that base formulation. The preliminary testing indicates that this base formulation is unlikely to have an SPF greater than 21. Preliminary testing of specific goods manufactured using the base formulation indicate that the SPF value of the goods may, for at least some of the goods, be as low as SPF 4. The TGA has not identified any manufacturing issue that would give rise to this result. The manufacturer has ceased manufacture and supply of the base formulation.”

The TGA has also raised questions about the reliability of the overseas testing labs used for SPF validation, particularly Princeton Consumer Research Corp (PCR), which some brands relied on. Already, several sunscreen brands (including Naked Sundays, Endota, Aspect Sun) have paused sales or initiated recalls to re-test their formulas.

What does all of this mean?

Essentially, this story has brought to light an industry-wide issue with sunscreen testing. It’s not fair to place the blame solely on brands, like Ultra Violette, who have ultimately taken all the ‘right’ steps to validate their products. The story is ongoing, but we can probably expect to see an overhaul when it comes to SPF testing, because beyond beauty, sun protection is a matter of public health.

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While European regulators are pulling products from shelves and salons are required to ditch their old stock, no such ban has been introduced in Australia. The discrepancy is raising questions about what’s really in our beauty products, and whether local standards are keeping up. Here’s what you need to know.

What is TPO and why is it banned in Europe?

TPO (trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide) is a type of photo-initiator — a chemical that induces ‘polymerisation’. This is the process that makes gel nail polish harden when exposed to UV or LED light. When rapid curing is needed, TPO is a popular ingredient. It’s been a go-to in many gel polish formulations, thanks to its long-wearing performance and durability.

However, studies have increasingly linked TPO to potential long-term health risks. The European Chemicals Agency flagged it as a substance of concern, citing carcinogenic and reproductive toxicity concerns. TPO is considered an endocrine disruptor; these are compounds that have the potential to interfere or disrupt our hormone systems. Indeed, animal studies have suggested the chemical is toxic to human fertility and reproduction.

The European Commission actually classified TPO as carcinogenic in 2023. In 2025, the same body published a regulation that said TPO should no longer be allowed in cosmetics. As such, TPO-containing products from September 1, 2025 onwards.

Does this mean gel manicures are unsafe? Is it okay to still get them?

The answer is not clear cut. And while there is evidence that TPO is not safe, there are certainly some critics of the ban and the research.

Doug Schoon, an industry leading expert and researcher who specialises in nail products wrote an open letter to the European Commission disagreeing with the ban. He said that the animal studies saw lab rats given high oral doses of TPO, which does not reflect how humans would come into contact with the ingredient.

“The prohibition of TPO in U.V. gels is not supported by a scientifically justified risk assessment,” he wrote.

At the time of writing, Australia and most other countries have not issued any official ban or restriction on TPO, and it remains widely used in local salons and polish products. An update may be on the horizon, but there’s been no confirmation yet. That means Aussie consumers may still be exposed to the ingredient, since TPO isn’t always listed on polish packaging.

The question of whether to abandon your gel manicure is a deeply personal one and will depend on everyone’s level of risk tolerance. As with all products labelled as carcinogens (which includes things like deli meats), the frequency of exposure often determines the risk levels.

A common phrase in toxicology ‘the dose makes the poison’ tells us that the safety of certain chemicals largely depends on how much of it we are exposed to. For example, Apple seeds contain cyanide. But you would have to ingest 500 or more to develop cyanide poisoning.

TikTok users are raising concerns about gel allergies

Beauty TikTok has been quick to pick up the news, with creators sharing their experiences of allegedly developing allergic reactions to gel polish, varying from itchy rashes to more serious skin sensitivity. While not all allergies are caused by TPO, nor is it possible to trace the exact cause in all cases, the uptick in these kinds of reports has many wondering whether long-term exposure to ingredients like this is to blame.

What should Australian consumers do?

The responsibility largely falls on consumers to stay informed. If you’re concerned, you can:

Feature image: one, two.

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