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Smidge Suncare feels great and truly works. Our natural sunscreen is SPF 40 and gentle enough for kids and sensitive skin — developed by a redhead for the harsh New Zealand conditions! Convenient SPF Save time, money, and space. Shop Now Smidge. Simple ingredients. Effective. Nothing unnecessary. Just what your skin needs. All Products Quick View Daily Face & Body Sunscreen SPF 40 - for sensitive skin and travel From $24.90Sale Price Add to Cart Quick View 45g = up to 65 uses Powder Based Cleanser & Mask Price $39.90 Add to Cart Quick View 2 handy sizes Everyday and Away SPF Duo I 140g + 30g sunscreen Regular Price $89.80 Sale Price $74.80 Add to Cart Quick View Smidge Ritual Pack I SPF, cleanser + face oil Regular Price $114.70 Sale Price $99.90 Add to Cart Quick View $129 value save $24.90 Summer Essentials Bundle I 140g SPF + cleanser + Free Travel-size SPF Regular Price $129.70 Sale Price $104.80 Add to Cart “As someone with fair, sensitive skin, sunscreen is a daily must for me," - Nat, Smidge Founder and CEO our story What our customers are saying "Finally, a sunscreen that ticks all the boxes! Comes in a tin so you can get every last bit of it and 100% recyclable. A tiny amount goes a very long way. Most importantly, my face doesn't break out in allergies when I put it on (unlike almost every other product)" - Saba, Verified Customer As seen in... sign up

Latest News 15 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... 1 Apr 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... 18 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... 6 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... 4 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... 20 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... 18 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... 3 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... 19 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... 7 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... 23 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... 28 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... 27 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 When should I wear sunscreen in New Zealand? 28 Mar 2023 Avoid skin damage by wearing sunscreen in Autumn and Winter. 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. On Thursday March 16th between 11:30-3:30 the UV index was between 6-8 which is categorised as High ( Niwa, Today's UV Index ) . According to Dr Richard McKenzie, a NIWA scientist, " when the UV index is 3 that means, for a fair-skinned person, about an hour before you get skin damage . If the UV index is twice as big – 6, it's going to be half an hour, 12, [it's going to be] quarter of an hour " ( RNZ 2018 ). As a fair-skinned redhead, I know for a fact that I would be beetroot red after 30 mins to one hour outside on an Autumn day like today (March 16th 2023, UV index 6-8). How Much Sunscreen Do You Need? Conventional sunscreens have a LOT of water in them so you need to apply at least 1 tsp per body part to get adequate coverage. Seasick Sunscreen contains no water so a little bit goes a long way. We recommend starting with a good pea-sized blog for your face and going from there. How Often Should Your Reapply Sunscreen? This really depends on your own skin tone and what you are doing - for example are you swimming lots and then towel drying? If so then you should reapply more often. It is recommended to reapply all types of sunscreen every 2 hours however, this is unlikely to actually happen, especially in Autumn and Winter. If you are like me, I apply sunscreen first thing in the morning, sometimes under makeup and then go about my busy day....If I am lucky, I will reapply sunscreen to my face, neck and shoulders when sitting outside at lunch time or in the afternoon on a sunny day. Shop Smidge Suncare SPF40 Sunscreen References Niwa. Today's UV Index. https://niwa.co.nz/our-services/online-services/uv-and-ozone/todays-uv-index Skin cancer science: Sunscreen in winter urged as study reveals flaws in UV advice. RNZ Nine to Noon. 18 September 2018. Available from https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018663002/skin-cancer-science-sunscreen-in-winter-urged-as-study-reveals-flaws-in-uv-advice

< Back Zinc sunscreens: how they work and why to use them. 2 May 2025 This blog was updated on May 2, 2025. Everything you need to know about zinc sunscreens. 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. In this blog post, we'll explore how zinc sunscreens work, their advantages over other types, and why you should use them in your sun protection regimen. Zinc Oxide in Sunscreen Zinc oxide is a mineral compound derived from zinc, which is a naturally occurring element. Zinc is added to a sunscreen formulation to provide broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. For most people, zinc conjures up images of surfers and cricket players with a white layer of sunscreen smeared thickly across their face. Thankfully, it is possible to make a zinc sunscreen that doesn’t leave the white cast on your skin (which is exactly what we have done). How Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Works Unlike chemical sunscreens that are absorbed into the skin, zinc oxide sits on top, forming a protective layer. When UV rays reach this layer, zinc oxide acts as a filter—protecting the skin primarily by absorbing ultraviolet radiation ( Cole et al. 2016 ). While reflection and scattering do occur, they contribute minimally compared to absorption, which provides the majority of UV protection in mineral sunscreens. No sunscreen blocks 100% of UV rays. This is one reason the term ‘sunblock’ is falling out of favour—it implies complete blockage, which isn’t accurate - learn more about sunscreen versus sunblock . Our Sunscreen Rubs in Clear Zinc has long been used by hardcore outdoors people for its superior sun protection qualities. Traditionally, it's made into a thick paste which stays on for hours in the water or when sweating and as well as protecting against UV rays, it also creates a physical barrier trapping moisture and protecting against salt and wind. However, having the white ghost look isn’t for everyone. Few people want a thick white paste smeared on their face and body when sunbathing or applied under makeup on a daily basis. That's why we expertly formulated a zinc sunscreen that rubs in well and doesn't leave a white cast . Are nanoparticles safe in sunscreen? Firstly, what on earth are nano-particles? They are ultra-fine particles of zinc or titanium dioxide that are added to sunscreens to provide SPF protection. Nano particles are smaller than non-nano zinc (non-nano zinc is what we use in our sunscreen). Zinc oxide is a common ingredient in 'natural sunscreen' but concerns have been raised about the safety of its nanoparticle (NP) form. Drawing on the best available evidence, sunscreen containing nanoparticles appears to be safe and do not pose a risk. However, we continue to monitor research. “Repeated application of ZnO-NPs to the skin, as used in global sunscreen products, appears to be safe, with no evidence of ZnO-NP penetration into the viable epidermis nor toxicity in the underlying viable epidermis” (Mohammed et al. 2019). While research shows that zinc nanoparticles do not penetrate the skin there is some evidence that titanium dioxide nano-particles may be absorbed systemically Adler and DeLeo (2020). Titanium dioxide is another mineral UV filter commonly used in natural sunscreens. We do not use titanium dioxide in our products. Are nano-particles safe for marine life? Research shows that zinc oxide nano-particles caused coral bleaching under controlled conditions (Adler and DeLeo 2020). However, available data may not adequately account for realistic reef conditions and UV filter concentrations. How Sunscreen Impacts the Ocean In areas where there are lots of swimmers and snorkelers, sunscreen washes off people's bodies and can reach such high concentrations that the sunscreen chemicals are toxic to marine life . Honestly though, sunscreen is just a tiny drop in the sea when it comes to threats to the ocean. Climate change is the predominant driver of coral reef bleaching. Plastic production has a huge carbon footprint and is a significant source of ocean pollution. Here's why our sunscreen is plastic-free : On average, the initial production process produces about 6kg of CO2 per 1kg of plastic. 8 million tonnes of plastic pollution enters the ocean each year. Just under half of plastic comes from product packaging. Instead of using plastic, we package our sunscreen in aluminium tins that are infinitely recyclable. Aluminium is so recyclable that nearly 75 percent of all the aluminium ever produced is still in use today. You can keep your tin in circulation by wiping out your empty tin and popping into your recycling bin. Are chemical sunscreens or mineral sunscreens better? There are many advantages of using a zinc sunscreen. Here are 3 of the main reasons we recommend using a mineral sunscreen instead of chemical - Gentle on the skin: Zinc oxide is considered to be non-irritating and suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Unlike some chemical sunscreens, zinc oxide is less likely to cause skin irritation, making it an ideal choice for individuals with delicate or reactive skin. Immediate protection: Zinc sunscreens start working as soon as they are applied to the skin. There's no need to wait for any chemical reactions to take place, unlike some chemical sunscreens that require approximately 20 minutes to become effective. Stability: Zinc sunscreens maintains their effectiveness over time, providing reliable protection throughout sun exposure. Chemical sunscreens tend to degrade which is one of the reasons many sunscreen brands fail to meet their SPF claims. Shop Smidge Suncare SPF40 Sunscreen References Adler, B.L. and DeLeo, V.A., 2020. Sunscreen Safety: a Review of Recent Studies on Humans and the Environment. Curr Derm Rep 9, 1–9. Cole, C., Shyr, T., & Ou‐Yang, H., 2016. Metal oxide sunscreens protect skin by absorption, not by reflection or scattering. Photodermatology, photoimmunology & photomedicine, 32(1):5-10. Mohammed, Y. H., Holmes, A., Haridass, I. N., Sanchez, W. Y., Studier, H., Grice, J. E., H., Benson & Roberts, M. S., 2019. Support for the safe use of zinc oxide nanoparticle sunscreens: lack of skin penetration or cellular toxicity after repeated application in volunteers. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 139(2):308-315.

< Back Welcome to Smidge Suncare: Same Great Sunscreen, Fresh New Look 23 Oct 2024 Kia ora! 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. SPF 40 Daily Face Sunscreen Buy Now What’s Changed? We’ve refreshed our look to better reflect our brand’s values—simple, effective protection that’s easy on the earth. While you might notice a few updates to our name and packaging, rest assured, it’s the same high-quality sunscreen, designed with love and care, that’s been keeping your skin protected. Smidge Suncare is now on sale in over 50 retailers across Aotearoa New Zealand including some of your favourite health stores, eco shops and more recently, pharmacies! Find your nearest stockist of Smidge Suncare. Seasick Sunscreen has become Smidge Suncare You might be wondering, why Smidge? The name captures the heart of what we do—it’s all about doing more with less. Just a smidge of our sunscreen is all you need for powerful protection, thanks to our compact, easy-to-carry tins and effective formulations. We also believe in doing all that we can to reduce our impact on the planet. From our sustainably-sourced ingredients to our commitment to plastic-free packaging, everything we do is aimed at reducing waste and minimising our environmental footprint. Every smidge makes a difference, and that’s why we’re proud to continue donating 2% of revenue to ocean conservation. Learn more about the regeneration of seaweed forests supported through purchase! https://www.loverimurimu.org/ Smidge Suncare Product Range If you loved Seasick Sunscreen’s SPF 40 Daily Face and Body Sunscreen, you’ll be happy to know that the formula you trust hasn’t changed. It’s still the same broad-spectrum protection, gentle on sensitive skin, and packed with naturally derived ingredients—perfect for everyday wear. The only change? The name and packaging! It’s now called Daily Face Sunscreen as we prepare to launch a new product that will make it even easier to protect your body, too. Who’s Behind Smidge Suncare? As we step into this exciting new phase, I’d like to reintroduce myself. Kia ora, I’m Nat, the founder of Smidge Suncare (previously Seasick Sunscreen Co.). I began creating my own sunscreen after struggling to find a product that was both effective and gentle on my sensitive skin—without harsh chemicals or unnecessary plastic waste. Smidge Suncare is proudly wāhine-led, and all of our products are still made right here in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our packaging remains plastic-free, and our shipping materials are FSC Certified , keeping our commitment to sustainability at the heart of everything we do. Thank you for being part of the journey! Save 15% on Our Old Branding As we make way for our fresh new Smidge packaging, we’re offering you a chance to stock up on our Seasick Sunscreen branded products at a great discount. From now until November 7th, you can get 15% off your purchase using the code 15OFF at checkout. Same great sunscreen, just the old branding! SPF 40 Daily Face Sunscreen Buy Now Travel Bundle (30g and 70g tins) Buy Now

< Back A Guide to Vegan Sunscreen 18 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

< Back Natural sunscreen: Is it really 100% natural and chemical free? 11 Jul 2022 The truth about '100% natural' and 'chemical-free' sunscreen claims. With the rising demand for sunscreen made without 'chemical' UV filters, many sunscreen brands are claiming to be 100% natural and chemical free. Unfortunately, it is just marketing bullsh*t. There is no such thing as 100% chemical free sunscreen and “natural” sunscreen isn’t necessarily healthier for us or better for the planet. Why? Because everything around us is made of chemicals. I get it! When I see the word “natural” on a product I think ooh yes I like nature and natural things! But then my science brain (and people like the Sustainable Scientist , whom this blog post was inspired by) makes me search for a more scientifically accurate answer. And here it is. Chemistry 101 A chemical is defined as “any substance consisting of matter”. Water is a chemical!. Chemicals can however be natural or synthetic (created in a lab).“Natural chemicals” are also not necessarily better than synthetic. Example: mercury, arsenic and cyanide are all natural chemicals, but are extremely toxic. Some natural substances, like unsustainably harvested palm oil, are having a devastating effect on our environment. Imagine if we could make palm oil in a lab, without destroying rainforests in the process. We often see the words “toxic chemicals” thrown about, especially on social media. But the truth is that the dose makes the poison. Everything is toxic in certain amounts , including water! (Yes, even water is harmful when you have too much of it). Science of Sunscreens Active ingredients in sunscreens come in two forms, mineral and chemical filters . While minerals are ultimately made up of chemical elements, they are distinguishable from chemical UV filters as they are physical particles that sit on top of the skin (as opposed to being absorbed). Sunscreens that are made with mineral UV filters are more likely to be branded as “natural” and “chemical-free”. You won’t find any of the following ingredients in our sunscreens: Petrochemicals FD&C dyes Synthetic fragrance Parabens Nano-particles oxybenzone octinoxate octisalate octocrylene homosalate avobenzone titanium dioxide Read the ingredient list Ultimately, the most important thing to keep in mind is to read the ingredient list and buy products with simple ingredients that you recognise and trust. We believe less is more which is why our sunscreen is made with as few ingredients as possible and we have detailed information available on our website about all of our ingredients. All of our ingredients are “non-toxic” when used in the expected concentration in a cosmetic product. Learn more about our safe sunscreen ingredients. This blog post was inspired by Alysha, 50% Scientist, 50% Hippy A.K.A the Sustainable Scientist . Alysha is a microbiologist and climate activist. She educates, inspires and connects people with science through her awesome instagram profile. We highly recommend following her! Shop Smidge Suncare SPF40 Sunscreen

< Back Sunscreen That Won’t Sting Your Eyes 18 Mar 2025 If you’ve ever had sunscreen sting your eyes, you’ll know how painful it can be. Whether you're out on the water or exercising, finding a sunscreen that won’t run into your eyes when you swim or sweat is key. In this guide, we’ll explore why sunscreen can cause eye irritation and why a waterless sunscreen like Smidge is the perfect solution. Shop Now Why Does Sunscreen Sting Your Eyes? Many sunscreens contain ingredients that, when mixed with sweat or water, run into your eyes and cause burning. The main culprits include: Chemical UV filters like oxybenzone and avobenzone, which can be irritating ( National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2022 ). Water-based formulas that break down easily when exposed to sweat or water. Fragrances and preservatives , which can trigger sensitivity. What to Look for in a Sting-Free Sunscreen If you want a sunscreen that won’t sting your eyes, choose one with: ✅ Zinc oxide – a physical or mineral UV filter that provides broad-spectrum protection by reflecting and scattering UV radiation. It is photostable and generally recognised as safe, with minimal skin penetration, reducing the risk of irritation ( National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2022 ). ✅ Fragrance-free & hypoallergenic – Less chance of eye sensitivity. ✅ Waterless, oil-based formula – Unlike water-based sunscreens, an oil-based formula won’t break down with sweat or water, meaning it stays put and won’t run into your eyes. Why Smidge Sunscreen Won’t Sting Your Eyes Here’s why Smidge won’t sting your eyes: 🌿 Made with Non-nano Zinc Oxide – Smidge is a mineral sunscreen providing broad-spectrum protection without harsh UV chemicals. 🚫 No Fragrance or Irritating Additives – We keep it simple to reduce sensitivity, making it the best sunscreen for kids and adults alike. Learn more about our safe sunscreen ingredients . 💧 Waterless & Oil-Based – Unlike traditional sunscreens, Smidge doesn’t contain water, so it won’t break down when you sweat or swim. Instead, it stays put, keeping your skin protected without running into your eyes. World Champion Cyclist Joanna Sharpe Chooses Smidge Joanna Sharpe, a world champion cyclist , recently set a new world record , circumnavigating the South Island solo and unsupported. Facing relentless heat and headwinds , she needed a sunscreen that wouldn’t sting her eyes or wear off. Joanna first discovered Smidge at a summer market, where she met Smidge founder Nat while searching for a sunscreen that wouldn’t cause eye irritation when cycling and getting sweaty. After cycling 2400km over 9 days, she’s become a Smidge fan, saying: “Thanks to Smidge Suncare for preventing sunburn in all the heat – and let’s not forget the relentless headwinds!” If Smidge can stand up to the extreme conditions of a world-record cycling challenge, you can trust it to protect your eyes and skin every day! We believe that wearing sunscreen can be a good experience for everyone Sunscreen shouldn’t be a painful experience! By choosing a waterless, zinc-based, fragrance-free sunscreen like Smidge, you can enjoy all-day protection without worrying about irritation. Are you ready to make the switch? SPF 40 Daily Face & Body Sunscreen Buy Now Learn More: Sunscreen Buying Guide: Find the Best Sunscreen for You and Your Family

Plastic-free Sunscreen + Sustainable Practices. Protecting the environment is at the heart of what we do — that's why we take a holistic approach to sustainability. Our Impact Protecting the environment is at the heart of what we do — that's why we take a holistic approach to sustainability. every smidge adds up… 2% of our annual revenue — not just profits — is donated to ocean conservation and education. We're proud to support Blue Cradle's mission to grow ocean literacy, and the Love Rimurimu marine habitat restoration project. Conventional sunscreens can contain up to 70% water. Counter-intuitive? Yes - by formulating without water, we save thousands of litres every year. It also means less packaging, lighter parcels, and a smaller footprint from shelf to sand. Less waste. More impact — just a smidge. Our aluminum tins are infintely recyclable and we ship online orders in FSC recycled certified cardboard. We are reducing our carbon footprint and minimising waste by saying no to plastic. Smidge is a wāhine-led, NZ-owned and operated social enterprise protecting both people and the planet. Thanks for supporting a NZ made sunscreen business!

< Back Is Smidge Sunscreen Reef Safe? 4 Feb 2025 Is Smidge Sunscreen Reef Safe? Is Smidge sunscreen reef safe? Great question! The term reef safe can be a bit misleading—it’s not a regulated label and is often used for greenwashing. At Smidge, we focus on transparency and emphasise the tangible steps we take to reduce our environmental impact. Read on to learn more. Shop Now What Does Reef Safe Sunscreen Mean? In 2021, Hawaii passed a law ( bill SB2571 ) banning the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, two chemical UV filters shown to harm coral reefs. For sunscreen to be considered reef safe or reef friendly, brands should exclude ingredients known for their toxicity to marine life. At Smidge, we do not use oxybenzone or octinoxate—the two key ingredients banned under Hawaii’s Safe Sunscreen Bill. While this means we meet the criteria often associated with the term reef safe, we avoid using it loosely. Why? Because the term ‘reef safe’ is frequently misused in greenwashing. For instance, does simply removing harmful ingredients while packaging products in plastic truly make a sunscreen reef safe? We don’t think so. “Of course, the best chance coral reefs have of survival is to slow the progress of climate change”- Smithsonian, 2022 More importantly, the leading threat to coral reefs isn’t sunscreen toxicity—it’s climate change. That’s why Smidge focuses on broader, meaningful sustainability efforts. Smidge Approach to Sustainability Protecting the environment is at the heart of Smidge. Here’s what we do to make a difference: ✅ Support ocean conservation: 2% of your purchase is donated to ocean conservation. ✅ Say no to plastic: We use plastic-free, recyclable packaging and FSC-certified shipping materials. ✅ Reduce our carbon footprint: Smidge sunscreen is made locally in New Zealand, reducing transport emissions. ✅ Save water: Smidge doesn't contain any of this precious resource! Make every Smidge count! Our waterless formulas last 2–3x longer than conventional sunscreens, proving that less is more—better for you and better for the planet. Want to learn more? Check out our Our Impact page. SPF 40 Daily Face & Body Sunscreen Buy Now Learn More: Our 7 Safe Sunscreen Ingredients

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. Ingredients We have carefully selected a simple list of naturally-derived ingredients that are safe for your body and effective. No harsh chemicals, no fillers. Just what your skin needs. Non-Nano Zinc Oxide Non-nano zinc oxide is a broad spectrum mineral UV filter and is the only active ingredient in Smidge sunscreen. Zinc oxide scores very well in the EWG ratings for low toxicity and is recommended for people with sensitive skin. Smidge does not contain any chemical UV filters (such as oxybenzone or octinoxate). Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil Moisturising, healing and derived from nature. 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. What you won't find in Smidge sunscreen… Petrochemicals Synthetic fragrance Water Parabens Nano-particles Oxybenzone Octinoxate Octisalate Octocrylene Homosalate Avobenzone Titanium Dioxide

< 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