How does SPF rating work?
A higher SPF rating requires a lot more sunscreen chemicals for diminishing returns. SPF 15 blocks 94% of UV radiation while SPF 30 blocks 97%, a 3% difference but a lot more ingredients that make higher SPF products feel thicker on the skin. SPF 15 will provide protection for 4 hours for someone who would normally burn in 15 minutes. SPF 30 provides protection for 8 hours of sun. The amount of protection, in reality, depends upon both the SPF rating and the thickness or amount which is applied.
(The other way to look at this is that SPF 15 allows 6% of UV through, while SPF 30 allows 3%, so a reduction of 50%. It depends on how you do the math.)
How does sun protection work?
There are two main types of sunscreens. Firstly, natural sunscreens that use Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide as a physical barrier that reflect UVA and UVB away. The second type is "UV Filters" that absorb high energy UV radiation and emit low energy radiation. These are always synthetic, which is why we choose to use Zinc Oxide to provide natural sun protection.
Isn’t Zinc normally white?
Yes, Zinc Oxide would normally be white on the skin. We use a special type of Zinc Oxide that is made here in Australia that is dispersed within Jojoba Oil which helps make it clear and non-greasy.
What are UV filters?
These are various chemicals that absorb high energy UV radiation and re-emit it as low radiation. These are always synthetic, which is why we choose to use Zinc Oxide to provide natural sun protection.
Should I wear sunscreen every day?
This is a very personal choice and depends on a lot of things such as how much time you’ll be spending outdoors in direct sunlight as well as your skin tone and tolerance of the sun. Personally, we use sunscreen when we know we are going to be spending a lot of time outside, but on other days when we are just going into the office, we prefer to use one of our other non-SPF moisturizers, and we have a few. Bear in mind that up to 2/3 of Australians are Vitamin D deficient. Only around 15 minutes of sunshine is required 2-3 times a week for the average person to obtain correct amounts of Vitamin D.
Where can I find out more about sunscreen?
Sunscreens with SPF ratings over 15 are considered "therapeutic products" and so their safety or efficacy cannot be questioned. The way to get information is to spend 15 minutes doing your own research online to help choose the right sunscreen for you. Wikipedia, although not always accurate, has a very good page on sunscreen and well worth getting the facts. Try and read at least from half way down the page if you can.
What ingredients do you avoid when making a moisturizer?
There's lots of things you won't find in this cream (or any of our other products) because they were all formulated for family members and close friends. This includes Paraffin and Mineral Oil which derive from petroleum, but are commonly found in commercial moisturizers like Sorbolene. We don’t think putting the stuff that goes into our cars on our skin is the healthiest thing we can do.
We also don’t use any synthetic preservatives such as Parabens and Phenoxyethanol, although they're pretty common too, including with a few brands that claim to be natural (you know who you are!). We avoid a lot of other things too, way too many to list here. We also don't use any useless, trendy ingredients like stem cells from Swiss apples or super power jellyfish DNA, just natural, effective ingredients for healthy skin.
Is this a face cream or a body cream?
We like to keep things simple even if marketing can sometimes tell us otherwise and get us to believe we need a different cream for every part of the body. This cream is made for your skin so rub it on whenever you like on your face and body, and hands and feet too, we don’t discriminate.
Do your sunscreen products contain nano particles?
Our sunscreens do contain nano-particles. Any clear Zinc on the market is now classed as ‘nano-particles’ BUT of different sizes. These have previously had a bad rap, however, the description of a nano-particle has since changed so they will not cause any harm. We use a standard Zinc Oxide with a median particle size of approximately .31 microns (this is 310 nanometres), with all particles between 0.25 microns and 0.35 microns. As a result, Zinc Oxide is nearly invisible when applied to the skin yet still offers both broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection. This means none is absorbed into the bloodstream.
Is your Cover Up Buttercup water-resistant?
This formula is not water-resistant so make sure to reapply immediately after activity and swimming. Pair up with our SPF 15 Lip Balm to ensure you are fully covered and protected.
Are your products reef-friendly?
Absolutely! Our SPF products are proudly reef-friendly as we don’t use any of the synthetic ingredients that are known to damage and harm coral reefs.
What is the percentage of Zinc Oxide in your sunscreens?
Our SPF 40 products contains 24.96% Zinc, and our SPF 15 products contains 19% Zinc.
What is the youngest age sunscreen can be applied to?
All of our sunscreen products are suitable for all ages, including children and newborns.
