This post was written by Caity Stuart of W.S. Badger Company, Inc.
"The first time I tried these new sunscreens, I nearly cried with delight," exclaimed Stuart. "I always wear sunscreen when I go outside. Because I try to use only safe products on my skin, Badger sunscreen has always been a no-brainer for me. Except for those times when I didn’t want to be so white from the zinc oxide.
"So, I am thrilled to share that the day has finally come when Badger now makes two sunscreens that are equally safe and effective as our classic sunscreens and are now non-whitening. Let’s give a warm welcome to the brand new SPF 30 Clear Zinc Active Sunscreen Cream and SPF 35 Clear Zinc Sport Sunscreen Cream!"
Clear Zinc? What is this magic?
It’s not magic but rather a really cool technology that helps these sunscreens blend into your skin. The active ingredient in these new clear zinc sunscreens is what makes them different from all of our other sunscreens. Instead of using non-nano zinc oxide as the active ingredient, the new SPF 30 Clear Zinc Active Sunscreen Cream and SPF 35 Clear Zinc Sport Sunscreen Cream instead use what is known as clear zinc oxide.
Here’s how it works: uncoated “clear” zinc oxide acts like a non-nano particle in that it stays on the surface of your skin. However, it is actually made up of smaller nano-sized particles that are fused together into larger clumps so that no free nanoparticles exist in the product.
These clumps are porous, like sea sponges, and their structure allows them to appear clear on the skin, making them a safe, effective and aesthetically pleasing option.
Safe & Effective ingredients
As for the rest of the ingredients, these new sunscreens barely differ from the same safe ingredients found in our non-nano sunscreen creams. Just take a look:
SPF 30 CLEAR ZINC ACTIVE SUNSCREEN CREAM
INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: *Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, *Cera Alba (Beeswax), Tocopherol (Sunflower Vitamin E), *Hippophae Rhamnoides (Seabuckthorn) Fruit Extract.
*= Organic
SPF 35 CLEAR ZINC SPORT SUNSCREEN CREAM
INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: *Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, *Cera Alba (Beeswax), *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Tocopherol (Sunflower Vitamin E). *= Organic
Yes, you’re reading this correctly: Badger's new sunscreens are just as easy to apply as their non-nano sunscreen creams, provide the same excellent UVA/UVB protection, are moisturizing and fragrance-free, are water resistant for at least 40 minutes (SPF 30 Active) or 80 minutes (SPF 35 Sport) of swimming and/or sweating, are safe to use in marine ecosystems, and come with the added bonus that they are non-whitening.
About the Author: Caity Stuart
Caity Stuart has been Badger’s Educator for three years. She came to Badger after earning a Master's degree in Environmental Education and having worked for the National Park Service. As the Badger Educator, Caity gets to share the glories of all things Badger with stores, customers, and local communities across the country. When not at Badger, Caity loves practicing yoga, going on crazy adventures with friends, and exploring the numerous trails throughout New Hampshire.