Under the hot New Zealand sun using sunscreen is a must. Over 90% of skin ageing is caused by sun damage, so sunscreen is essential in your skincare routine. Selecting the right sunscreen is important and like anything, you get what you pay for.
There are two types of sunscreens; ‘natural or mineral’ and ‘chemical’ or a combination of both. Natural sunscreens are typically thick and leave a white cast on skin. They require frequent application in heaped quantities, and you need to ensure the product is broad-spectrum to protect against both UVA and UVB rays.
Chemical sunscreens have advanced significantly with latest UV filters such as Uvinol T150, Neo Heliopan E1000, and Uvinul A Plus which are high performance, have better sustainability contributions and are produced to be ‘nature identical’. Other benefits are an enhanced skin feel and excellent UVA/UVB protection.
Sunscreens range from $5 to over $50. Typical sunscreen is made using 50-70% water so you have to slop on lots, often. While water isn’t protecting you, it is in traditional formulations to dilute the formulation, dispersing the UV filters after the 20 minute drying time. Water reduces the cost and does cause a significant environmental problem with water shortages and drought stricken areas increasing around the world, such as Auckland.
At Skinnies we have a sustainably made formulation using zero water, so you use less (it’s not diluted) and a tube lasts a lot longer reducing consumption and packaging. Higher UV filters concentration and the lipid based gel means it forms a layer and doesn’t evaporate or sweat off the skin like traditional sunscreens. You can go into the sun in a matter of minutes. It’s clear and adapts to all skin tones, plus no white or sticky feeling. Skinnies is reef safe, vegan, gluten free, contains no parabens, no preservatives or alcohol. The tubes are 100% recyclable sugar cane to reduce the plastic footprint. Skinnies philosophy is changing the way people enjoy the sunshine with minimal ingredients for maximum efficacy.