Non-nano zinc oxide, explained

SunKids has exactly one active ingredient: zinc oxide, at 24.1%. Here’s what that means and why we chose it.

What zinc oxide is

Zinc oxide is a mineral UV filter. It sits on top of the skin and protects against both UVA and UVB rays. That broad protection is what lets SunKids carry a Broad Spectrum SPF 50 label with a single active.

Mineral vs. chemical

Chemical sunscreens use filters such as avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate, oxybenzone and octocrylene, which absorb into the skin. Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which stay on top. In its 2019 proposed rule, the FDA proposed zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as the only two of 16 marketed sunscreen actives that are generally recognized as safe and effective. For most of the others, it asked manufacturers for more safety data.

What “non-nano” means

Zinc oxide is ground into very fine particles. “Nano” describes particles smaller than 100 nanometers. Non-nano zinc oxide uses larger particles. Many parents look for non-nano on the label, and it’s what we use in every pouch.

What about the white cast?

Older zinc sunscreens earned a reputation for leaving kids looking like ghosts. We built SunKids to rub in smoothly, with squalane for a soft feel and coconut-derived ingredients to help it glide on.

The bottom line

One active ingredient you can pronounce, broad spectrum protection, and nothing you need a chemistry degree to understand.