All things SPF

Clear river estuary flowing into ocean showing reef and river safe water ecosystem

May 05, 2026

Reef-Safe Isn't Regulated. The Ingredient List Is.

"Reef safe" is not a regulated term in the United States. Any brand can print it on any product, regardless of what's...

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Person in car with sunlight streaming through window showing everyday UV exposure risk

May 04, 2026

Should You Wear Sunscreen Every Day? Yes, Here's Why

Yes. You should wear sunscreen every day, including on cloudy days, in winter, and when you are mostly indoors. The reason is...

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Chemical compounds representing FDA-evaluated chemical versus mineral sunscreen actives

May 02, 2026

Chemical vs. Mineral Sunscreen: How They Work and Which to Choose

Mineral sunscreen uses zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as its active ingredient. Chemical sunscreen uses organic UV filters such as avobenzone, homosalate,...

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Alpine lake in Colorado mountains showing intense high altitude UV index and sun protection need

May 01, 2026

Colorado UV Index: Why Sun Protection Is Non-Negotiable at Altitude

Colorado's UV index regularly hits 11 or higher, among the highest in the contiguous United States, because elevation reduces the atmosphere that...

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Macro close-up of non-nano zinc oxide particle size compared to nano zinc oxide

May 01, 2026

Non-Nano Zinc Oxide: What It Means and Why It Matters

Non-nano zinc oxide means the zinc oxide particles are larger than 100 nanometers, large enough that they don't penetrate the skin barrier...

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Close-up of sunscreen ingredient label showing active and inactive chemical compounds

April 30, 2026

The Inactive List Is Where the Formula Hides.

How to Read a Sunscreen Label Cosmetic and over-the-counter drug ingredients are listed in descending order by concentration. Active ingredients appear separately...

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Trail runner in direct sunlight on dusty trail showing matte mineral sunscreen finish on oily skin

April 29, 2026

The Best Mineral Sunscreen for Oily Skin That Won't Make You Shiny

The best mineral sunscreen for oily skin has a lightweight, oil-free base, no silicones or waxes, and a finish that dries down...

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Minimal skincare flat lay showing five clean ingredients versus thirty-ingredient sunscreen formula

April 26, 2026

5 Ingredients vs. 30: Why Less Is More in Sunscreen

Most sunscreens have 20–30 ingredients not because they need to, but because they are correcting for formulation problems created by the actives...

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Abstract UV spectrum wave visualization showing broad spectrum UVA and UVB wavelength coverage

April 24, 2026

Broad Spectrum Is a Test, Not a Claim. Ours Scored 381.67nm.

Broad spectrum is an FDA-regulated claim that requires a sunscreen to achieve a critical wavelength of 370nm or greater, meaning its protection...

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