Latest News 14 Apr 2025 Sunscreen That Funds Ocean Conservation Every time you choose Smidge, you're doing more than protecting your skin — you're also helping protect the moana. Read more... 31 Mar 2025 Why Are Skin Cancer Rates So High in New Zealand? New Zealand has some of the highest skin cancer rates in the world. Understanding why this is the case can help us make informed choices to protect ourselves and our whānau from the harmful effects of UV radiation. Read more... 17 Mar 2025 Sunscreen That Won’t Sting Your Eyes If you’ve ever had sunscreen sting your eyes, you’ll know how painful it can be. In this guide, we’ll explore why sunscreen can cause eye irritation and why a waterless sunscreen like Smidge is the perfect solution. Read more... 5 Mar 2025 How Zinc Oxide Provides Safe & Effective Sunscreen SPF Protection Our SPF 40 sunscreen is powered by non-nano zinc oxide—giving you safe, effective protection without irritation. Read more... 18 Feb 2025 Zinc Sunscreens are Best for Sensitive Skin Has Smidge made a difference for your skin? Learn why zinc sunscreens are best for sensitive skin. Read more... 3 Feb 2025 Is Smidge Sunscreen Reef Safe? At Smidge, we focus on transparency and emphasise the tangible steps we take to reduce our environmental impact. Read more... 19 Jan 2025 Sunscreen Buying Guide: Find the Best Sunscreen for You and Your Family With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to find the right sunscreen for you and your family. To make things easier, we’ve created a handy guide to help you select the best sunscreen for every need. Read more... 17 Dec 2024 A Guide to Vegan Sunscreen At Smidge, we believe that sun protection should align with your values. That’s why our vegan Daily Face and Body Sunscreen is formulated without any animal-derived ingredients or testing on animals. Read more... 2 Dec 2024 Eczema and Sunscreen: What Sunscreen Can I Use If I Have Eczema? Smidge Suncare is designed to be gentle, effective, and suitable for sensitive and eczema-prone skin. Read more... 18 Nov 2024 Safe Sunscreen Ingredients: Why we use just 7 ingredients in Smidge Find out about the 7 ingredients we use in Smidge — an ideal choice for anyone looking for a safer alternative to conventional sunscreens. Read more... 6 Nov 2024 Everything You Need to Know About Sunscreen SPF Here’s everything you need to know about SPF, why Smidge is SPF 40, and how to make the most of your sun protection. Read more... 22 Oct 2024 Welcome to Smidge Suncare: Same Great Sunscreen, Fresh New Look We’re excited to introduce just a smidge, of something new, whilst keeping everything you love. Seasick Sunscreen has evolved into Smidge Suncare, with the same trusted sunscreen but a fresh look and name. Read more... 2 May 2025 Zinc sunscreens: how they work and why to use them. There are so many types of sunscreen available that choosing one can be seriously confusing. Zinc-based sunscreens have gained significant popularity in recent years. Read more... 6 Sept 2023 4 reasons why people avoid wearing sunscreen. New Zealand has the highest melanoma rate in the world and sunscreen is an important part of protecting yourself against skin cancer. So why are so many people avoiding wearing sunscreen? Read more... 23 Aug 2023 What is Octocrylene and why we avoid it in our sunscreen. Octocrylene is a chemical UV filter: here's why you will never find it in our sunscreens. Read more... 27 Mar 2023 When should I wear sunscreen in New Zealand? The short answer is yes, you need to wear sunscreen year-round in Aotearoa New Zealand due to the high intensity of our UV rays. Even in Autumn and Winter. Read more... 26 Oct 2022 How to stop getting sunburnt so easily. As the founder of a sunscreen company, I probably shouldn't admit to getting burnt...but even I make bad judgements when it comes to adequately protecting my fair skin from the harsh New Zealand sun - especially at the start of every summer! Read more... 8 Sept 2022 The new Sunscreen NZ regulations explained. Shocking but true - sunscreens being sold in New Zealand have not needed to be independently tested or certified for SPF claims before now. Read more... 28 Aug 2022 Can you recycle plastic sunscreen bottles? 8 million tonnes of plastic enters the ocean every year and over 40% of plastic comes from product packaging. Read more... 17 Aug 2022 Reef safe sunscreen: false claims and certifications explained. Even if a sunscreen is labeled as "reef safe" there's no guarantee that it actually won't harm the corals, fish and other marine life. This is because there is no regulation when it comes to marketing a product as reef safe. Read more...

< Back Everything You Need to Know About Sunscreen SPF 6 Nov 2024 Whether you’re heading to the beach or just going about your day, applying sunscreen is essential for protecting your skin from harmful UV rays. But with so many options out there, terms like "SPF" and choosing between SPF 30 and SPF 50 can be confusing. Here’s everything you need to know about SPF, why Smidge is SPF 40, and how to make the most of your sun protection. What is SPF? SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, measures how well a sunscreen protects your skin from harmful UVB rays, which are primarily responsible for sunburn and can contribute to skin cancer. The higher the SPF, the more protection you get from these damaging rays, but SPF alone doesn’t indicate complete protection. No sunscreen blocks 100% of UVB rays, and even high-SPF sunscreens must be reapplied regularly, especially after swimming or sweating, for maximum effectiveness. SPF 30 vs. SPF 50: What's the Difference? SPF 30 blocks approximately 97% of UVB rays. SPF 50 blocks about 98% of UVB rays. New Zealand dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher for reliable protection, especially given New Zealand's intense UV exposure. Did you know? All sunscreens now sold in New Zealand have to be independently tested. They also have labelling requirements: sunscreens can’t claim an SPF greater than 50+ Smidge Suncare’s SPF Rating: SPF 40 Sunscreen You Can Trust Our sunscreen meets the rigorous Australia New Zealand sunscreen standard (AS/NZ 2604:2021) , which is printed on the back of every tin, giving you confidence in our products tested protection level. Smidge Suncare’s Daily Face and Body Sunscreen is rated at SPF 40, offering broad-spectrum protection that’s gentle enough for daily use yet powerful enough for long days outdoors. How Do We Test Our SPF? Ensuring reliable sun protection is essential, so our formulations are rigorously tested by Dermatest Eurofins in Australia, a reputable lab that performed the SPF retesting for Consumer New Zealand over the last few summers. SPF testing involves applying sunscreen to the skin of a group of 10 individuals, who are then exposed to controlled UV light. The test measures the time it takes for each person’s skin to begin showing signs of redness, indicating the level of sun protection provided by the sunscreen. These tests confirm that Smidge offers dependable, high-performance sun protection you can count on, whether you’re spending time at the beach or in the backyard. From SPF 30 to Smidge SPF 40: What’s Changed? If you’re a long-time user of our products, you may remember that Seasick Sunscreen was labelled as SPF 30. With the launch of Smidge, we’ve increased the label to SPF 40—but here’s the good news: our formulation hasn’t changed! After consulting with Cosmetics NZ, we were advised that our sunscreen’s actual SPF testing exceeded SPF 40, allowing us to confidently update our label without any alteration to the ingredients or formula. So, while the label reads differently, your favourite sunscreen remains as effective as ever. Will Smidge Release an SPF 50 Sunscreen? For those wondering if Smidge will eventually offer an SPF 50 option, we’re always open to new developments, but at the moment, it’s not on our immediate roadmap. Here’s why: Achieving consistent SPF 50 coverage requires a much higher concentration of UV filters, which can alter the sunscreen’s texture and make it less comfortable for sensitive skin. In fact, some brands claiming SPF 50 have struggled to meet this level when retested. At Smidge, we’re confident that SPF 40 provides high protection and is more than sufficient when applied correctly and reapplied regularly. For ultimate sun safety, remember that sunscreen should always be part of a sun-smart routine, including protective clothing, hats, and time out of direct sun. Are you ready to try Smidge Suncare and experience sun protection that feels as good as it performs? SPF 40 Daily Face Sunscreen Buy Now

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Smidge Suncare is better for you and the environment! We have carefully selected a simple list of naturally-derived ingredients that are safe for your body and better for the planet too. Better for you + the environment We have carefully selected a simple list of naturally-derived ingredients that are safe for your body (yes, our sunscreens are safe for babies and children) and better for the planet too. The health of the environment is at the heart of every decision we make, which is why we do not use chemical UV filters. We also avoid nano-particles and our sunscreen is plastic free. Non-Nano Zinc Oxide Using non-nano zinc oxide as the only active ingredient in our sunscreen, is incredibly important to us! Why? Because it is a safer UV filter for both you and the environment than chemical UV filters, such as oxybenzone and octinoxate which have been linked to coral bleaching (Madhusoodanan, 2022 ). Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil Moisturising, healing and non-greasy. What more do we need to say really.

 Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter Shea Butter is obtained from the seeds of the Karite Tree (Butyrospermum Parkii) common in several African countries. This soft, pliant 'butter' is pressed from the seeds. Our shea butter is ethically produced and sustainably refined. Candelilla Cera A plant wax produced from the Candellila tree. This is a vegan alternative to beeswax. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is plant-based and gives our sunscreen its smooth yet non-greasy feel. It's 100% biodegradable and perfectly safe for use. Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate Made from plant oils such as coconut oil and castor oil, this ingredient is soothing on sensitive skin. Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate This is another plant-derived ingredient. It is gentle, moisturising on the skin and this ingredient receives the highest score on the EWG scale. Up to 14,000 tonnes of sunscreen end up in the ocean every year. Did you know that chemical UV blockers (such as oxybenzone and octinoxate) commonly used in sunscreens have all been found in marine life, surface seawater and sand? Up to 14,000 tonnes of sunscreen is estimated to enter the ocean every year (American Chemical Soc, 2019 ). What you won't find in our sunscreens… Petrochemicals Synthetic fragrance Parabens Nano-particles Oxybenzone Octinoxate Octisalate Octocrylene Homosalate Avobenzone Titanium Dioxide Learn More: Is your sunscreen really natural and chemical free?

Answer all your questions such as: How does Smidge Sunscreen work? What is the SPF rating? How to use it? Frequently Asked Questions The only thing burning should be questions. Don't sweat it, we've got you covered. How does Smidge Sunscreen work? Smidge contains non-nano zinc oxide particles that sit on top of your skin where they absorb and scatter UVA and UVB rays. Non-nano zinc oxide is a safe UV filter for babies, children and people with sensitive, eczema-prone skin. Learn more about how zinc sunscreen works . Has Smidge Been SPF Tested? Yes. Smidge has been tested at Dermatest Lab , Australia's leading sunscreen and skin care evaluation laboratory and complies to the Australian and New Zealand Sunscreen Standard AS/NZS 2604:2021. How do I store Smidge Sunscreen? Store below 25 degrees and out of direct sunlight. If it melts, it will go very runny but it is still entirely safe to use. Smidge Sunscreen has a shelf life of two years and has the date it was made, printed on the tin. What do I do with my empty tin once I've used it all? Our aluminium tins are reusable and/or recyclable. Please wipe your tin clean with a paper towel first. Some of our stockists have Smidge refill stations. I have allergies/sensitivities; is Smidge safe for sensitive skin? Smidge has the full ingredient list printed on the label and on the product page. We also have an ingredients page where you can learn more. Where can I purchase Smidge? You can order online and orders will be shipped plastic-free to your door (NZ-wide and Australia). We also sell in over 50 retailers across Aotearoa New Zealand. Find your local retailers here .

View information around the Smidge Suncare Privacy Policy. Privacy Policy This Privacy Policy describes how your personal information is collected, used, and shared when you visit or make a purchase from smidgesuncare.co.nz (the “Site”). Personal information we collect When you visit the Site, we automatically collect certain information about your device, including information about your web browser, IP address, time zone, and some of the cookies that are installed on your device. Additionally, as you browse the Site, we collect information about the individual web pages or products that you view, what websites or search terms referred you to the Site, and information about how you interact with the Site. We refer to this automatically-collected information as “Device Information”. We collect Device Information using the following technologies: - “Cookies” are data files that are placed on your device or computer and often include an anonymous unique identifier. For more information about cookies, and how to disable cookies, visit http://www.allaboutcookies.org - “Log files” track actions occurring on the Site, and collect data including your IP address, browser type, Internet service provider, referring/exit pages, and date/time stamps. - “Web beacons”, “tags”, and “pixels” are electronic files used to record information about how you browse the Site. Additionally when you make a purchase or attempt to make a purchase through the Site, we collect certain information from you, including your name, billing address, shipping address, payment information (including credit card numbers), email address, and phone number. We refer to this information as “Order Information”. When we talk about “Personal Information” in this Privacy Policy, we are talking both about Device Information and Order Information. How do we use your personal information? We use the Order Information that we collect generally to fulfill any orders placed through the Site (including processing your payment information, arranging for shipping, and providing you with invoices and/or order confirmations). Additionally, we use this Order Information to: - Communicate with you; - Screen our orders for potential risk or fraud; and - When in line with the preferences you have shared with us, provide you with information or advertising relating to our products or services. We use the Device Information that we collect to help us screen for potential risk and fraud (in particular, your IP address), and more generally to improve and optimize our Site (for example, by generating analytics about how our customers browse and interact with the Site, and to assess the success of our marketing and advertising campaigns). Sharing you personal Information We share your Personal Information with third parties to help us use your Personal Information, as described above. For example, we use Shopify to power our online store--you can read more about how Shopify uses your Personal Information here: https://www.shopify.com/legal/privacy We also use Google Analytics to help us understand how our customers use the Site. You can read more about how Google uses your Personal Information here: https://www.google.com/intl/en/policies/privacy/ You can also opt-out of Google Analytics here: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout Finally, we may also share your Personal Information to comply with applicable laws and regulations, to respond to a subpoena, search warrant or other lawful request for information we receive, or to otherwise protect our rights. Behavioural advertising As described above, we use your Personal Information to provide you with targeted advertisements or marketing communications we believe may be of interest to you. For more information about how targeted advertising works, you can visit the Network Advertising Initiative’s (“NAI”) educational page at http://www.networkadvertising.org/understanding-online-advertising/how-does-it-work. You can opt out of targeted advertising by using the links below: - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/settings/?tab=ads - Google: https://www.google.com/settings/ads/anonymous - Bing: https://advertise.bingads.microsoft.com/en-us/resources/policies/personalized-ads Additionally, you can opt out of some of these services by visiting the Digital Advertising Alliance’s opt-out portal at: http://optout.aboutads.info/ Do not track Please note that we do not alter our Site’s data collection and use practices when we see a Do Not Track signal from your browser. Data retention When you place an order through the Site, we will maintain your Order Information for our records unless and until you ask us to delete this information. Changes We may update this privacy policy from time to time in order to reflect, for example, changes to our practices or for other operational, legal or regulatory reasons. Contact Us: For more information about our privacy practices, if you have questions, or if you would like to make a complaint, please contact us by e‑mail at natalie@smidgesuncare.co.nz

Find our where to buy Smidge Suncare using our store locator. Stockists Where to Find Smidge Suncare in Stores Use the store locator below to find your closest retailer. Is your local not here? Send us an email and we will get in touch to ask them to become a stockist. North Island Northland Auckland Waikato Bay of Plenty Coromandel Peninsula Rotorua Taupō Hawke's Bay Manawatū-Whanganui Wellington Northland Stockists Little Soul Co Moir Street Mangawhai Mangawhai Pharmacy Mangawhai Heads Origin Northland Waipū Keri Berries & Farm Store Kerikeri Hardy's Whangārei 41 Cameron Street Kensington Pharmacy Kensington Whangārei Bin Inn Whangārei Skin Cancer Doctors Whangārei Dive! Tutukaka Tūtūkākā Life Pharmacy Orss 48 Cameron Street Whangārei Paihia Dive Paihia The Providor's Gallery Urupukapuka Island Unichem Orss Pharmacy Dargaville 69 Victoria Street Unichem Orss Pharmacy Kaikohe Kerikeri Unichem Orss Pharmacy Tui Maunu Unichem Orss Pharmacy Maungaturoto 144 Hurndall Street Unichem Orss Pharmacy Ruakākā Marsden Point & Peter Snell Roads auckland Stockists Allen's Village Pharmacy Kūmeu Auckland iSite Queens Wharf Bin Inn Wholefoods Warkworth & Silverdale Campus Books University of Auckland Kate Edger Information Commons, City Campus Commonsense Organics Mount Eden Healthcare Pharmacy Rosedale Life Pharmacy Eastridge Mission Bay Natural Health Co Howick & Devonport Refill Nation Te Atatū Peninsula & Titirangi Green Space Waiheke Island Naturally Organic Northridge Albany & Glen Innes Organics Outwest Glen Eden Wellness Store Orewa 24 Hillary Square Orewa The Goodness Grocer Waiuku waikato Stockists The Herbary 214 King Street Pukekohe Bare Refill Grocery Hamilton Organic Nation 245 Commerce Street Frankton Hamilton Tonic Health Chartwell Shopping Centre Hamilton Raglan Refill 15 Bow Street Raglan Raglan Longboards Raglan (on the way to the beach) bay of plenty Stockists Be Organics 6 Tawa Street, Mount Maunganui Emroce Swimwear Pop Up Trailer (around Mount Maunganui) Mount Pharmacy 132 Maunganui Road Tay Street Store Marine Parade Mount Maunganui Bethleham Health Shop Main Road Bethleham Simply Organic NZ Tauranga South Waihi Beach Chemist Waihī Beach Sustainable Pantry Waihī Adamsons Unichem Pharmacy 52 King Street, Whakatāne Unichem Kope Pharmacy 78 King Street Whakatāne Nature Zone Health Shop Whakatāne Whakatāne Organics Boon Street rotorua Stockists Aotearoa Dive Eruera Street Millennium Hotels (coffee shop) Hinemaru Street coromandel peninsula Stockists Cathedral Cove Dive & Snorkel Hahei Lawnmower's Son Art Gallery & Kayaks Hahei Whitianga iSite 66 Albert Street Whitianga Earth Store Whitianga Dive Zone Whitianga The Wellness Store Whitianga Gump's Outdoors Whangamatā All Things Organic Tairua Tairua-Pauanui Pharmacy 226 Main Road Tairua hawke's bay Stockists Chantal Shop 45 Hastings Street, Napier Cornucopia The Organic Shop 221 Heretaunga Street East, Hastings Manawatū-Whanganui Stockists TCB Ski Board Bike Ohakune Opus Fresh Apparel Co , Ohakune Railway Station Ohakune Healthcare Depot , 21 Goldfinch Street Organic Buzz Broadtop Shopping Centre, Palmerston North Health for Life Fielding & Palmerston North The Herb Farm Ashhurst Moana Rd Outlet Shannon Shirley's Strawberries Ohau Levin wellington Pōneke Stockists Bin Inn Petone Cable Car Museum Kelburn Commonsense Organics Tory Street, Kilbernie, Lower Hutt & Kāpiti Good Housekeeping Cuba Street (REFILL OPTION AVAILABLE) Nil (formally Munch Cupboard) Berhampore Paekākāriki Fruit Supply Paekākāriki Run Pōneke 1 Clyde Quay Wharf Tuatua Cafe Waterfront Wellington Museum Store  Jervois Quay Wellworks Pharmacy Taranaki Street Taupō Serendipity Beauty Taupō Earthy Foods 38 Horomatangi Street, Taupō South Island Marlborough Nelson Christchurch Dunedin Queenstown Wānaka Southland Christchurch Stockists The Apothecary The Tannery Woolston Christchurch Ballantynes Department Store (Gift Section) Cashel Street Beckford Health Pharmacy St Martins Shopology Little Riverside Laneway Unichem Cashel Pharmacy Cashel Street Unichem Elmwood Pharmacy 3 Normans Road, Strowan Frances Nation The Arts Centre Marshalls Health Shop New Brighton Nomad Wholefoods Akaroa Rolleston Bin Inn Tennyson Street Rolleston Queenstown stockists Life Pharmacy Wilkinsons Corner the Mall and rees Street Unichem Remarkables Pharmacy Frankton Queenstown Unichem Jack's Point Pharmacy Jack's Point dunedin Stockists Taste Nature 131 High Street Bin Inn Dunedin 126 Crawford Street southland Stockists Unichem Alexandra Pharmacy 4/6 Centennial Ave Alexandra Milford Road Merchant Te Anau Stewart Island Botanicals Main Street Wānaka stockists Aspiring Pharmacy 29 Helwick Street Freshlink Grocer 82 Anderson Road Wānaka iSite 103 Ardmore Street Nelson Stockists Māpua Wharf Shack Aranui Road Marlborough stockists Blenheim iSite 8 Sinclair Street, Blenheim Picton iSite The Foreshore, Picton International Viana Bay Dive Resort, Fiji Niue Blue

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< Back A Guide to Vegan Sunscreen 17 Dec 2024 A Guide to Vegan Sunscreen Smidge Suncare Vegan & Cruelty-free At Smidge, we believe that sun protection should align with your values. That’s why our vegan Daily Face and Body Sunscreen is formulated without any animal-derived ingredients or testing on animals. It’s our way of ensuring that protecting your skin and the planet can go hand-in-hand. What Is Vegan Sunscreen? Vegan sunscreen is free from animal-derived ingredients and is not tested on animals. Many conventional sunscreens include ingredients like: Beef tallow: Used in some moisturisers as a fatty base. Beeswax: A common thickener and water-repellent. Sheep lanolin: Derived from wool, often added for its emollient properties. At Smidge we use vegan ingredients instead to offer a completely plant-based, ethical option for sun protection: Shea butter instead of beef tallow Candelilla Wa x instead of beeswax Coconut oil instead of sheep lanolin Smidge Suncare: Certified Vegan and Proud Member of the Vegan Society NZ Smidge Suncare is proudly certified by the Vegan Society of New Zealand . This ensures our products meet strict standards for being free of animal products and cruelty-free. Our commitment doesn’t stop there. Our vegan sunscreen is also packaged in recyclable aluminium tins and our formulas are made right here in Aotearoa New Zealand, minimising our carbon footprint. Meet Our Vegan Ambassador: Paula’s Life Paulas.life , our Smidge Vegan Ambassador, embodies everything we stand for. Living in sunny Northland, Paula spends her days running, walking, and enjoying the beach—all while keeping her skin protected with Smidge. Whether you’re active like Paula or simply enjoy soaking up the sun responsibly, Smidge is the perfect choice. Vegan, Cruelty-Free, or Animal-Friendly: What’s the Difference? With so many labels in the cosmetics industry, it’s easy to get confused. Here’s what they mean: Vegan: Free from animal-derived ingredients. Cruelty-Free/Animal-Friendly: Indicates no animal testing, though it doesn’t necessarily mean the product is vegan. Not Tested on Animals: In New Zealand, cosmetics testing on animals has been banned since 2015 ( Consumer NZ, 2023 ). How Does Smidge Test Its Products? Our sunscreen undergoes rigorous SPF testing on willing human participants . At Dermatest Labs in Australia, we evaluate our formulas under controlled conditions to ensure SPF and broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. Rest assured, no animal testing takes place. 3 Tips on How to Shop for Vegan Sunscreen and Skincare Buy NZ Made: Animal testing is banned for cosmetics made in Aotearoa. Check Ingredients: Look for common animal-derived ingredients and only buy products that align with your values. Research Brands: check that brands that are claiming to be vegan or cruelty-free are affiliated with or have certifications from regulatory bodies such as Vegan Society of New Zealand. Smidge makes it simple—our vegan sunscreen ticks all the boxes, offering a high-performing, and ethical option for your skincare routine. Make the switch to Smidge vegan sunscreen today and experience sun protection that’s as kind to the planet as it is to your skin. 💛 Buy Now Learn More: Our 7 Safe Sunscreen Ingredients

How to apply our sunscreen? All you need is just a smidge. How to Apply Our Sunscreen Step 1: Just a Smidge Warm a smidge (pea-sized amount) in your palms (this is enough to cover your face). Step 2: Spread Gently Spread gently across your skin - there is no need for vigorous rubbing like you do with liquid sunscreens in plastic squeezy bottles. Our sunscreen spreads easily and doesn’t leave a white cast. Step 3: Repeat Repeat the process using approximately a pea-sized amount for each body part i.e one for each arm, one for each leg and so on, until all areas of exposed skin are covered. Step 4: Re-apply Re-apply at least every 2 hours or as needed. download instructions

< Back 4 reasons why people avoid wearing sunscreen. 6 Sept 2023 Research shows why people aren't wearing sunscreen. Something I hear a lot from people is "I don't wear sunscreen" and "I don't like wearing sunscreen". New Zealand has the highest melanoma rate in the world and sunscreen is an important part of protecting yourself against skin cancer. So why are so many people avoiding wearing sunscreen? In one study done in New Zealand, participants were asked what would get them to wear sunscreen more often (Douglas et al 1997). The top four reasons given were: If I thought I was at higher risk Lower cost More proof that it works Sunscreen being less greasy Whilst this study is a bit outdated, I still hear these same reasons being given to me at the market days. In this article, I will shed some light on each of these reasons and explain why you should never avoid wearing sunscreen again. Conventional Sunscreens Are Greasy The main reason why people don't like wearing sunscreen that I hear is because they don't like how it feels. Conventional sunscreens are often very greasy due to the high quantities of chemical UV filters (used to provide SPF), silicone and acrylate polymers in the formulation. It is the chemical UV filters that can also cause breakouts and skin irritations . Did you know? Seasick Sunscreen is formulated without any chemical UV filters! Sunscreen Is Expensive in New Zealand There is no doubt about it, sunscreen is expensive in New Zealand and cost is definitely a barrier to people applying sunscreen on a daily basis. To cut down on cost, people often look to buy sunscreen in bulk. However, more isn't necessarily more! Take a solid shampoo bar for example - one shampoo bar is the equivalent of 3 plastic bottles of shampoo. So whilst the upfront cost of a shampoo bar may seem more expensive, it actually works out to be the same cost as you get far more uses out of it. This is exactly the same with Seasick Sunscreen which I like to describe as a concentrated sun balm more than a typical sunscreen. Because our formula contains no water, a little goes a long way and a 70g tin is the equivalent of approximately 200ml of liquid sunscreen! People Want More Proof that Sunscreen Actually Works With so many major sunscreen brands failing to meet their SPF claims, there is no wonder that people don't have a high level of trust that sunscreen actually works. I often hear people say that they applied sunscreen but got burnt anyway. So why aren't sunscreens providing the protection that they should? Some brands completed their SPF testing at labs that were found to have falsified results Chemical UV filters degrade overtime so may not be providing the same level of SPF that is labelled on the bottle People often don't re-apply often enough or are applying sunscreen incorrectly Lots of people I talk to are suspicious that a "natural sunscreen" such as Seasick Sunscreen won't work. Interestingly, zinc is actually the original form of sun protection but they zinc sunblock went out of fashion and were largely replaced by chemical-based sunscreens because they often leave a white cast on the skin. We worked hard over several years to create a formula that rubs in really well and leaves no white cast, even on darker skin tones. Sunscreen Helps to Protect Against Skin Damage and Melanoma Whilst you may have some reservations about wearing sunscreen, it's well demonstrated that sunscreen does help to protect you from skin damage and reduce the risk of developing skin cancer. It's unfortunate that so many people (myself included) have had so many bad experiences with sunscreen that they being to avoid wearing it at all. Before creating Seasick Sunscreen, I was that person! I want everyone to have the opportunity to try our formula and to change the way people think about and experience sun protection. Shop Smidge Suncare SPF40 Sunscreen References Douglass, H.M., McGee, R. and Williams, S., 1997. Sun behaviour and perceptions of risk for melanoma among 21–year–old New Zealanders. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 21(3), pp.329-334. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/j.1467-842X.1997.tb01708.x

< Back How Zinc Oxide Provides Safe & Effective Sunscreen SPF Protection 5 Mar 2025 Not all sunscreens are created equal—especially when it comes to sensitive skin. If you’ve ever experienced stinging, redness, or breakouts after applying sunscreen, you’re not alone. Many sunscreens rely on chemical UV filters that can irritate the skin and even disrupt hormones. These ingredients can be absorbed through the skin. “In recent years, studies have also raised concerns about endocrine-disrupting effects of three ingredients: homosalate, avobenzone and oxybenzone ( EWG 2025 ). The good news? There’s a better way to protect your skin—with zinc oxide. Shop Now How Sunscreens Achieve SPF Protection SPF (Sun Protection Factor) measures how well a sunscreen shields your skin from harmful UVB rays —the type of radiation that causes sunburn and skin damage. The higher the SPF, the greater the protection (as long as the sunscreen is being applied properly and re-applied regularly): SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays No sunscreen provides 100% protection! SPF 30 is widely recommended by New Zealand dermatologists as the minimum for daily use—especially given NZ’s harsh UV conditions. But how a sunscreen provides that protection makes all the difference. The Difference between chemical and mineral sunscreens Chemical sunscreens (like oxybenzone and octinoxate) absorb into the skin and soak up UV radiation (EWG 2025). M any people find that chemical sunscreens lead to painful skin irritation, redness, and breakouts, especially for those with sensitive or eczema-prone skin (learn more about sunscreen for sensitive skin ). Mineral sunscreens, like zinc oxide, form a protective barrier on the skin's surface that primarily absorbs UV rays, despite the common belief that zinc works solely by reflecting or scattering sunburn-causing ultraviolet radiation ( Cole et al. 2015 ). Zinc Oxide is the best SPF ingredient for sensitive skin - it’s often found in nappy rash creams and is safe for babies and children ( Dermaltherapy 2025 ). Smidge: Sunscreen That Puts Skin First At Smidge, we believe sun protection should and can be a good experience for everyone. That’s why our SPF 40 sunscreen is powered by non-nano zinc oxide—giving you safe, effective protection without irritation. 💙 No chemical UV filters 💙 Fragrance free 💙 Lightweight, non-greasy formula SPF 40 Daily Face & Body Sunscreen Buy Now Discover More: Our 7 Safe Sunscreen Ingredients