Swellies

Zinc Oxide (non-nano) is the entire backbone of Swellies, our one active, our whole philosophy. It’s a mineral UV shield that sits on top of your skin instead of reacting in it, so it won’t burn, sting, or irritate sensitive or acne-prone faces. We use a high-purity, non-nano grade with a tight particle curve, which means you get legit broad-spectrum protection without looking like a chalky lifeguard extra. It’s stable in heat, sweat, surf, whatever; it’s reef-friendly; and it’s literally the only UV filter the FDA calls both safe and effective. No chemicals, no gimmicks, just the most reliable mineral on the planet doing its job.

Coco Caprylate/Caprate is our slip wizard, the lightweight, plant-derived emollient made from coconut. It gives skin that fast, dry slip you usually only get from silicones, without the greasy afterfeel or synthetic baggage. It helps sunscreen spread evenly, improves wear in heat, and keeps the finish breathable instead of oily. Clean, biodegradable, and skin-friendly, it’s the backbone of a sunscreen that feels good while you’re actually in the sun, not just at application.

Cera Bellina is our texture fixer, the upgraded beeswax that keeps a minimalist formula from going gritty, streaky, or stubborn as hell. It gives the cream its smooth, velvety glide so high-zinc spreads evenly instead of clumping or dragging, and it keeps the pigments and actives suspended so the finish stays uniform on real skin. No heavy wax feel, no waxy shine or grease, just a smarter structurant that makes the whole formula behave.

Polyhydroxystearic Acid (PHSA) is the behind-the-scenes stabilizer that keeps the zinc from clumping, streaking, or turning into tiny cement pellets. It is derived from castor beans and it wraps each mineral particle so they stay evenly dispersed, which means smoother spread, better coverage, and way less white cast without loading up on extra oils or fillers. It also boosts SPF performance by helping the zinc lie flatter on the skin and become more uniform film with stronger protection, cleaner finish. No silicone, no gimmicks, just a smart dispersant doing the heavy lifting so the whole formula stays silky and stable.

Iron Oxides are the tint that isn’t makeup, the mineral pigments that knock out white cast without turning your sunscreen into foundation cosplay. They give just enough color to help the zinc blend into your skin tones, no streaks, no heaviness, no “I’m wearing makeup now?” surprise. They’re stable, safe, and clean, and they do one job extremely well: make a high-zinc formula look natural instead of white and chalky.