Unless you live in a very very dark place (and we don’t mean your room), UV rays can cause irreparable skin damage, premature ageing and skin cancer (Yikes!)

UVA rays penetrate the skin and are mostly to blame for premature ageing - think wrinkles, pigmentation, sun spots, saggy skin and dark rough patches.

On the other hand, it’s evil cousin UVB causes sunburn, the painful reddening of the skin which is why it’s important to always use a Broad Spectrum sunscreen – one that protects from both UVA and UVB rays.

Remember UV rays don’t discriminate, whether you’re 20, 30 or 40, it wants you looking 100, so always SPF.

Absolutely! Unless leather skin is your thing, you should SPF daily even during winter. UV rays can pass through glass and prolonged exposure to blue light from electrical devices can also cause skin damage.

The World Health Organization recommends the use of sunscreen when the UV index is 3 or above, moderate (Yellow) to extreme (Purple).

Australia has one of the harshest sunlight in the world.

In summer, our UV index reaches 12-14 in most Australian cities, and up to 16-17 at more northern latitudes. 

For more info, check out MyUV or Sunsmart

For Sure! Scientists and dermatologists have found that just 20 minutes of sun exposure in the early morning or evening when the UV Index is less than 3 is enough for adequate Vitamin D absorption.

During the day, sunlight can penetrate clothes and be absorbed by incidental places like our scalp, ears and back of neck. Just a few minutes of sun exposure during mid-day is enough for Vitamin D absorption.

Certain foods are a source of Vitamin D too.

If you are worried about not getting enough Vitamin D, we recommend speaking to your doctor for medical advice.

Like the name suggests, Physical Sunscreens such as SUNSLAYER create a physical barrier between the skin and the sun. It sits on top of the skin and uses minerals such as zinc oxide to reflect, absorb and scatter the UV rays.

Zinc has a bad rep for being white and pasty, think lifeguards with their white stripes across their cheeks. Thankfully, modern zinc formulas rub in clear and don’t leave a white cast. However, physical sunscreens tend to be thicker than chemical sunscreens and so people with oily or acne prone skin may need to remove it thoroughly to avoid problems. Otherwise, physical sunscreen is a safe choice.

Chemical sunscreens penetrate the skin and absorb UV rays like a sponge. It then converts the rays into heat and releases them from the body. Chemical sunscreens often require more than one chemical to protect against both types of UV rays. This combination may affect those with sensitive skin.

However, they are usually more lightweight in texture as they contain less/no oil. The active ingredients in most chemical sunscreens include oxybenzone, avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate and octocrylene.

YES, if you have dark to very dark skin tone, you may have an in-built SPF of 5-10 thanks to the extra melanin. However, that is not enough to protect you from sun damage as UVA rays go deeper than your skin and so the same reapplication rules apply for you too.

Absolutely! Studies show that a fake tan only provides an SPF of 3 or less which is barely anything. Dermatologists recommend using SPF50 to be safe.

Worried about ruining your fake tan?

Don't worry, as long as you're not doing both on the same day, you'll be fine.

HOT TIP: get your fake tan the day before going to the beach, apply SPF on the day and you'll be rocking that post-beach glow! You're welcome.

Ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun is invisible to us humans and there are two kinds of UV rays that can cause harm

UVA rays penetrate deep into our skin and can cause skin damage and premature ageing such as wrinkles, sagging skin and pigmentation.

UVB rays affect the outermost layer of the skin, causing sunburn and prolonged exposure can cause skin cancer.

Solar Power Fiesta?? NO.

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, the ability for your sunscreen to protect you against UVB radiation, the kind that causes sunburn and skin cancer. The SPF number tells you how long it would take for the sun’s UV rays to burn your skin when using the sunscreen as directed versus the time not wearing any. 

A sunscreen with an SPF of 30 should take you 30 times longer to burn compared to if you weren’t wearing any sunscreen. For example, if you tend to burn after 10 minutes being in the sun without sunscreen, then wearing SPF30 sunscreen should prevent you burning for about 300 mins.

This is a rough estimate that depends on skin type, sun intensity and amount of sunscreen used.

However, most people do not apply enough sunscreen so their SPF 30 may actually be only SPF20 which is why many dermatologists recommend wearing at least SPF50 so there’s more coverage even if we don’t apply sunscreen well.

Contrary to popular belief, doubling your SPF does not mean double the sun protection.

In fact, SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays and SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays.

In Australia, the maximum SPF approved by TGA is SPF50+

There is no sunscreen that can offer 100% protection from UV rays which is why it is important to use other forms of sun protection even when using sunscreen e.g. seeking shade, wearing a hat, protective clothing and sunglasses.

However, most people do not apply enough sunscreen so their SPF 30 may actually be only SPF20 which is why many dermatologists recommend wearing at least SPF50 so there’s more coverage even if we don’t apply sunscreen well.

Active ingredients in sunscreen are the ingredients responsible for absorbing, reflecting, or filtering the UV radiation.

In our case, our only active ingredient is non nano zinc oxide.

TGA certification – AUST number and registration on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). TGA strongly recommends against unapproved sunscreens or homemade sunscreens as they often do not protect against UV radiation

Broad Spectrum to protect against both UVA and UVB rays

High SPF – At least SPF 30 though most dermatologists recommend SPF 50 for better coverage in case we don’t apply sunscreen well enough

Australian made – Australia has one of the highest SPF standards in the world. Not only do they have to be made in government approved facilities that are audited yearly,  they also have to undergo strict testings by independent laboratories to ensure the highest standards are met.

Slip on a shirt

Slap on a hat

Seek shade

Slide on some sunnies

No, we feel there is a safety concern with the use of aerosol sunscreens and the fine particle mist they create. The mist can be easily inhaled into the lungs causing lung irritation and their ingredients could be absorbed into the bloodstream.

Research by Queensland University of Technology and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) show that it is extremely difficult to get good levels of UV protection from these products.

Some aerosol sunscreen products contain up to 83% propellant! and needed at least 14 seconds of continuous spray time to achieve the SPF level advertised.

Propellants used in aerosol type sunscreens can dilute the amount of sunscreen dispensed and because these sunscreens spray on invisibly, it’s hard to tell where and how much has been applied, resulting in uneven coverage. 

The cost of ingredients to make our mineral sunscreens is significantly higher than the cost of ingredients in most chemical sunscreens.

Regular sunscreens are made of mostly water and synthetic chemicals which is not expensive.

Our sunscreen does not contain any water and our active ingredient zinc oxide is our single most expensive ingredient used in our sunscreens.

Our sunscreen is also made in Australia which has higher labor cost than most commercial sunscreens made elsewhere.

The best sunscreen for you is the one that you will use EVERYDAY. (we're serious!)

Sooo, this has to be one that you enjoy wearing otherwise you're less likely to wear it, amirite?

Ultimately, we care about your skin and we don't want you to get skin cancer or look wayyy older than you should, so if you prefer another brand sunscreen, or even a chemical sunscreen, use that, we promise we won't get jealous.

All we ask is if you're going to the beach or anywhere near fishies, maybe try a physical sunscreen instead? And if you find one that you enjoy wearing everyday, CELEBRATE!!!

Hate to break it to you but just like any other cosmetic product, sunscreens do expire. Our sunscreens have a 3 year shelf life. Though ours last longer than most commercial sunscreen thanks to our no water formula, it is always important to check the crimp of tube for expiry date.

100% YES! We’re legit, our sunscreens passed Australia’s SPF standards which are one of the highest in the world.

We are proud to be working with a local WA manufacturer that specializes in sunscreens and are TGA (AUS) and FDA (USA) licensed.

Our formula is certified SPF50 and meets Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2604:2012.

You can view our TGA certificate on the Australian Therapeutic Goods Register

AUST L 354460 – SUNSLAYER SUNSCREEN SPF 50

Okay, real talk — the whole “reef-safe” thing? It’s kind of a marketing mess. Technically, there’s no regulation around what “reef-safe” even means, so brands can slap it on anything. But I totally get why people care (I did too!).

After months of research, we found there were a few research articles showing some sunscreen ingredients like oxybenzone, octinoxate and even zinc ions can harm coral in lab experiments — but those studies use super high amounts that don’t really reflect what happens in the actual ocean. Out in the wild, the real reef-killers are climate change, global warming, ocean acidification, water pollution, and overfishing — not your sunscreen. (pg 11-22, Expert Report, Professor Terry Hughes, James Cook University)

It feels like a lot of this blame is being shifted onto us as consumers. Like, “Oh no! You wore the wrong sunscreen, that’s why the reefs are dying!”

Meanwhile, massive fossil fuel companies are out here heating up the planet and polluting on a scale that sunscreen can’t even compete with. It’s frustrating that we’re being guilt-tripped over our SPF while the real culprits keep cashing in. Of course we should make thoughtful choices, but let’s not forget where the bulk of the damage is really coming from.

That said, our sunscreen doesn’t contain the usual suspects (like microplastic beads, petrochemicals, oxybenzone or octinoxate), and we’ve done our best to make it gentle for your skin and the sea. So yep, while no sunscreen can promise to save the reefs single-handedly, ours is made with ingredients chosen with care — because we love the ocean too.

No it isn’t! We use micronized zinc which is about 50microns in size, 500 times bigger than nano particles.

100% YES! Our sunscreen contains no animal products and we will never ever EVER test our sunscreen on animals. Unless you count our friend Matt who is abit wild and hairy.

Heck Yeah! As ocean lovers, we swim & dive all the time so we made sure SUNSLAYER is water resistant to 4 hours to keep up with us.

We advise regular reapplication every 2 hours or after swimming, sweating or towelling to ensure adequate protection.

Not at all. We've tested it ourselves while snorkeling, swimming and diving in the ocean and we are pleased to say that we did not experience any stinging!

Not at all :)

YES - our sunscreen is safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding. Your skin might be sensitive during this time (thanks hormones) so it's good to use a natural physical sunscreen like ours.

However we advise that you speak to your doctor first before starting any new skincare routines or if you have any concerns.

YASS. Sunslayer is safe for babies above 6 months of age, children and those with sensitive skin. As with any new product, we recommend a patch test first to check for any sensitivity.

What about babies under 6 months of age?

Well, the TGA and Australasian College of Dermatologists recommend minimising the use of sunscreen on babies less than 6 months of age by using only on small portions of the body that can’t be covered by clothing and shade. Again, always spot check first.

Use SUNSLAYER sunscreen after/instead of moisturizer.

If you have oily skin or are prone to acne, we'd recommend leaving out the moisturizer and using just the sunscreen.

The only thing we like greasy is our burgers.

Though our formula is oil based, we made sure our sunscreen does not feel oily or sticky, it absorbs into the skin quickly, rubs in clear and has a nice dewy finish. 

In fact, if you have sensitive skin and are prone to inflammation or acne, our physical sunscreen might actually be better for you due to its high zinc content and special blend of antibacterial plant based ingredients. As long as you cleanse your face thoroughly after sunscreen use, you'll be A-ok.

If you’re worried, we recommend consulting your dermatologist for advice.

Erm.. nothing really. Our sunscreen is Fragrance Free, perfect for small children and those with sensitive skin.

Yes you certainly can! Our sunscreen makes a fantastic primer before your foundation. We promise no pilling (we know – not a cute look).

We’re so glad you asked!

Sunscreen regulations require us to use the words “Apply liberally” however tbh that sounds wayyy too much.

TGA recommends at least 1/2 teaspoon for the face, neck and ears every two hours or 1 teaspoon for each limb, front and back of the body.

We recommend the following:

FACE - 1/4 tsp

FACE & NECK - 1/2 tsp

EACH LIMB – 1/2 to 1 tsp

FRONT/BACK TORSO – 1/2 to 1 tsp

You should see a nice & light sheen. If you see whiteness, there might be too much there, spread it.

The above is an estimate based on average adult face/body sizes and the SPF testing amount (2mg per cm2).

Store below 30°C, preferably in a cool dark place (away from the spiders or anything that kills ya here in Straya).

Wrap it in a towel or place it in your bag when outdoors. Treat it like a soft drink can.

HOT TIP : Put it in your esky or chilly bin when you're at the beach, apply cold to face and voila! SPF Facial. You're welcome :)

SUNSCREEN TIN

Option 1: Reuse your tins. Turn them into candles or use it to store soap or shampoo bars.

Option 2: Return your tins back to us so we can turn them into new products.

Option 3: Return your tins through Co-Exist. Join one of the many Co-Exist planet loving events throughout Australia. Pass your tins to a Co-Exist team leader. They will collect all the tins and ship it back to us.

Option 4: Dispose in curbside recycling bin (aluminum metal) 

SUNSCREEN BOX

Option 1: Make Seed Bombs! Remove any labels and tear into smaller pieces, soak in water for at least 15 minutes or until soft. Place soft paper only in a blender. Blend into pulp. Mix wildflower seeds into pulp mixture. Take a spoonful and squeeze into a ball. Let dry for at least 2-3 days. You can also use a silicone mold to make cute shapes!

Option 2: Home Compostable. Remove any labels, shred into smaller pieces and add to your home compost, worm farm or bokashi bin.

Option 3:  Dispose in curbside garden waste/FOGO bin

Option 4: Dispose in curbside recycling bin (paper)

We use Australia Post for all our shipping.

STANDARD SHIPPING is a flat rate of 9.95 AUD.

EXPRESS SHIPPING is available for a flat rate of 14.95 AUD.

VIP EXPRESS FRONT OF QUEUE is available for a flat rate of 16.95 AUD.

For more information, please see our page on Shipping.

Our lovely local fulfillment centre work extra fast to prepare and pack your pretty little order, that usually takes 1-2 business days.

From there, we use Australia Post and you can check when your delivery might arrive here:

https://auspost.com.au/parcels-mail/calculate-postage-delivery-times/#/

We ship from VIC and our postcode is 3192.

STANDARD SHIPPING: about 4 - 7 business days

EXPRESS SHIPPING: about 1 - 4 business days

For more information on Aus Post current delivery times, click here.