We use zinc oxide as our only active ingredient, and here is why:

+ It is the only reef-safe UV filter available.

+ Zinc oxide provides excellent sun protection and has several advantages over synthetic actives. Zinc particles sit on top of your skin and act as a reflective barrier (exactly like a mirror) to block both UVAs & UVBs from penetrating your skin and causing damage and ageing.

+ It is the only FDA* and TGA** approved broad spectrum sun protection ingredient, and unlike any other active ingredient, its concentration in a product has no limitation. It is also the EWG (Environmental Working Group) nº1 ingredient for skin protection.

+ Zinc oxide is also effective for healing the skin. It can be used to heal wounds, reduce the tenderness associated with sunburns and soften chapped skin. It is sometimes used as an acne treatment - it is believed to reduce the appearance of blemishes and reduce skin irritation and inflammation, reducing the number and severity of acne breakouts.

* Food & Drug Administration (US).
** Therapeutic Goods Administration (AU).

Many sunscreens contain ingredients that wash off our skins (or down the drain) to harm coral reefs, even at very small concentrations. Using a "reef safe sunscreen" means that no ingredients in that product will cause detrimental effects to marine life. That includes coral reefs but also marine mammals, turtles, fish and a variety of marine species. Remember that certain brands falsely claim to be "Reef-Safe" but actually contain chemicals harmful to ocean life, so always check the label for these toxic ingredients:

Oxybenzone,

Avobenzone,

Octinoxate,

Octocrylene,

Parabens,

Triclosan

PEG is an acronym for polyethylene glycol, an amazingly versatile and tolerant ingredient in skin care products.

The safety of PEG in its various forms has recently been questioned. The primary concern is that they can contain problematic impurities such as ethylene oxide and 1,4 dioxane. Both of these are by-products from the manufacturing process, not something natural to any form of PEG. Although this was once a concern, reputable cosmetic ingredient suppliers have long since eliminated these impurities from the finished ingredient, which makes PEGs safe for skin.

We have extensively researched the safety of this ingredient and use many trusted references such as the database of the Environmental Working Group (ewg.org). When used topically, research has shown low risks for allergies & immunotoxicity, low developmental and reproductive toxicity and no statistical links to cancer.

Sunscreen should be the last line of defence after clothing, a hat, shade and sunglasses. Research shows that sunscreens are effective when applied frequently and liberally. The Australian Government Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recommends at least a teaspoon for each limb, front and back of the body and half a teaspoon for the face, neck and ears every two hours. You should apply one cupped adult hand (30 to 40 ml) of sunscreen for an adult body. When using an aerosol can, remember that some of the sunscreen may not land on your skin. This is also why we don't offer aerosol-type products.