< 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

< Back What is the best sunscreen in NZ? 5 Jul 2022 6 reasons Smidge is the best sunscreen in NZ. I guess that depends on what you mean by ‘best’ so we have broken this down into six categories: the best SPF protection best value for money best feel best look best environmental values/practices best sunscreen for sensitive skin. 1. Best sunscreen - SPF protection The Cancer Council states that SPF50+ filters out 98% of UVB radiation, while SPF30 blocks out 96.7% of UVB - this is only 1.3% more protection . SPF 50 sunscreens can therefore mislead people into thinking they are more protected than they actually are; however, an SPF50 Sunscreen still needs to be reapplied every 2 hours and after swimming and exercise, and applied correctly. SPF 50 requires the use of a large amount of UV filters and is most often achieved by using chemical UV filters and/or nano-particles. In summary, the Cancer Council recommends using a sunscreen that is SPF 30 or above. 2. Best sunscreen - value for money Conventional sunscreens are up to 70% water meaning you need to use a lot to protect your skin. That’s why they are usually sold in 200ml+ bottles. Our formula has no water in it meaning it goes 2-3 times further. Ethique prices their waterless shampoo bars to reflect the fact that they equate to 3 bottles of conventional shampoo. 3x bottles regular shampoo = approx. $33 1x Ethique bar = $22 Our formula has no water in it meaning a little goes a really long way! 3x chemical sunscreen bottles = approx. $45 2x conventional mineral sunscreen containing water = $60 1x Seasick Sunscreen = $33 But don’t take our word for it. Here is what Eco-blogger , Juliet had to say about our sunscreen: “Did you notice that there was no water in that ingredient list? What that means is that a little goes a very long way. I couldn’t believe that tiny amount required to cover my face.” In summary, yes our sunscreen costs a bit more upfront but when applied correctly, it's going to go a lot further than your typical liquid sunscreen that is poured out of a plastic bottle. 3. Best sunscreen - application feel “This sunscreen is awesome! Such a beautiful texture, has no chemical smell and just feels like putting moisturiser on. Amazing product, 100% recommend.” - Amelia, happy customer. The number one thing we hear from people is how much they hate greasy sunscreen! To be perfectly honest, a feature I focused on when I developed my formula but by a stroke of luck we have created a non-greasy sunscreen that sinks right into the skin and feels great! How do we know this? Because each summer we have hundreds of people try our sunscreen at our market days and that is the number one feedback that we hear. 4. Best sunscreen - look Many mineral sunscreens are made with powdered zinc oxide which can leave a white caste on the skin. To avoid this, lots of sunscreens and personal care products are made using nano-sized particles (particle size <100 nanometers) to formulate lotions that rub in more easily and leave less of a tint. I use sunscreen daily (at work, while exercising, outdoor events etc.) so creating a formula that doesn’t leave me looking white like a ghost was a high priority for me. That’s why I searched the world for a zinc dispersion which glides onto the skin and doesn’t leave a white tint! We were able to achieve this without using nano zinc (particle size <100 nanometers). Although good science is still lacking in this area, scientists think that non-nano particles have less of an impact on marine life which is why we only use non-nano zinc. 5. Best sunscreen - for the environment Firstly, let me start by saying, no sunscreen is good for the environment. However, many chemical UV filters and of course plastic pollution have been shown to cause significant damage to the environment. So, when we do need to wear sunscreen, it is important to avoid ingredients that have been shown to cause damage to marine life and avoid plastic and other single-use sunscreen containers where possible! Kaitiakitanga (environmental “stewardship”) is our core value and the health of our oceans is at the heart of every decision we make. We aren’t perfect, but we take sustainability seriously which is why our product is: plastic free (both the sunscreen and shipping materials) made with non-nano zinc and a handful of careful selected ingredients that produced sustainably and are safe for the environment 2% revenue is donated to ocean conservation Our sustainability goals for the future are: to become Aotearoa New Zealand’s first and only reef-safe certified brand. Click here to learn more about the Land and Sea Certification we are working towards. offer tin refills so you can keep using your same tin over and over again. I think it's important to recognise that although we try to minimise our impact on the environment, ultimately we are still using resources and putting stress on the environment when large amounts of tourists/beach goers wearing sunscreen enter the water. So we can minimise our impact even further by covering our skin by wearing long clothing and staying out of the sun during the hottest time of day which helps to reduce the chance of melanoma too! 6. Best for sensitive skin Every summer, I get to meet hundreds of my awesome customers at the summer markets. This is how I learnt how many people out there suffer from painful skin irritations from conventional sunscreen chemicals. Here is what they say: “I have very sensitive dry skin and most of the commercialised sunscreen irritates my skin. I like Seasick Sunscreen because its like a cream and is made of all natural and chemical free ingredients that doesn't irritate my skin.” - Glenda Seasick Sunscreen voted "Staff Pick" at the Sustainability Trust Eco Store! "Seasick Sunscreen is AMAZING! I looked for ages for a good plastic free sunscreen and this one works magic! Made it through the entire summer without a single sunburn! Very economical too!" - Jade, Customer Service Okay, okay we are a bit biased and truly think we do have the best face and body sunscreen in Aotearoa New Zealand. BUT there are some other inspiring brands out there making the best sunscreen in other countries and they deserve recognition too. We are inspired by Badger Zinc Tin from the USA and Mama Kuleana from Hawaii. Shop Smidge Suncare SPF40 Sunscreen

< Back Reef safe sunscreen: false claims and certifications explained. 17 Aug 2022 How to know if your sunscreen is truly reef safe. 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. More research and tighter regulations are much needed but thankfully, the Haereticus Environmental Laboratory (HEL) is already doing some great work in this space. Reef Safe Sunscreen Certification HEL is a non-profit, scientific organisation on a mission to conserve wildlife and ecosystems, just like us! Products labeled with HEL’s Protect Land + Sea Certification means that the product has been laboratory‐tested using analytical‐forensic techniques to verify that the product is free of the chemicals that are known pollutants in many different environments (freshwater streams, river, beaches, and ocean systems) or harmful to wildlife such as corals, fish, birds, marine mammals, sea turtles. These chemicals aren't just bad for coral reefs; they can also be harmful to your body. One of the most common toxic ingredients in sunscreen is oxybenzone , an emerging human and environmental contaminant often used in conventional sunscreens ( DiNardo & Downs, 2018 ). Damaging Sunscreen Chemicals Pollutants HEL checks for when certifying a product include: Any form of microplastic sphere or beads. Any nanoparticles like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Oxybenzone Octinoxate 4-methylbenzylidene camphor Octocrylene Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) Methyl Paraben Ethyl Paraben Propyl Paraben Butyl Paraben Benzyl Paraben Triclosan Our products do not contain any of these ingredients AND our sunscreen is also plastic-free . Packaging is often forgotten about when it comes to "reef safe" claims and certification yet most sunscreen packaging is difficult if not impossible to recycle. The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is well known. Read more about our safe sunscreen ingredients. Shop Smidge Suncare SPF40 Sunscreen References DiNardo J. C., Downs C. A., 2018. Dermatological and environmental toxicological impact of the sunscreen ingredient oxybenzone/benzophenone-3. J Cosmet Dermatol, 17(1):15-19. DOI: 10.1111/jocd.12449 Haereticus Lab. Protect Land and Sea Certification. Retrieved 17 August 2022, available from https://haereticus-lab.org/protect-land-sea-certification-3/

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...