Questions, answered.

Zinc oxide is a mineral UV filter. It sits on top of your skin and absorbs and scatters both UVA and UVB rays. It's been at the heart of Sun Zapper since 1995.

Mineral sunscreens use mineral filters such as zinc oxide, which sit on the skin. Chemical sunscreens use UV filters such as octocrylene or avobenzone, which absorb UV. Both protect you when you use enough and reapply.

Our Pure Zinc range is mineral only. Our zinc sticks and Clear Zinc combine zinc oxide with other UV filters, and Sport Sunscreen uses chemical filters. Every product's full list is on our ingredients page.

Yes. Our sunscreens are broad spectrum, so they protect against UVB, the rays that burn, and UVA, the rays linked to skin ageing.

SPF measures protection from UVB, the rays that cause sunburn. In lab tests, SPF 50 filters about 98% of UVB. You only get that if you put enough on, so apply generously and reapply often. No sunscreen blocks 100%.

Most people use too little. As a guide, an adult needs about 2 teaspoons to cover the head, arms and neck, and about 2 tablespoons for the whole body in swimwear.

Reapply at least every 2 hours, and straight after swimming, towelling or sweating.

Yes. In the UK the sun is strongest between 11am and 3pm from March to October, so that's when sunscreen matters most. You can burn on cloudy days too. Snow and water reflect UV, so pack it for ski trips and days on the water.

It's a solid stick you draw on, so it goes exactly where you want it: noses, cheeks, ears, scars and the backs of your hands. It goes on thick, it's 4 hours water resistant, and it's small enough for a pocket or board bag.

No. Our zinc sticks contain zinc oxide plus other UV filters (octocrylene, diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate and ethylhexyl triazone), and the Extreme stick also contains octinoxate. If you want mineral only, choose our Pure Zinc range.

White for the classic surf look, light and medium-dark skin tones that blend in, bright pink, blue, green and yellow that kids love, and the bold Extreme range. See all the zinc sticks.

The white and coloured sticks are meant to be seen, so you can tell where you've covered and where you've missed. If you'd rather it blended in, choose a light or medium-dark skin tone stick.

Swipe it on in a thick, even layer over the areas you want to cover. You want a visible layer, so don't rub it all away. Avoid your eyes. Reapply at least every 2 hours and after swimming, towelling or sweating.

Yes, it's the classic combo: a stick on your face, nose and ears, and a cream on your body. Buy 2 or more sticks and you save automatically (see multi-buy savings).

Our mineral-only sunscreen: 25% non-nano zinc oxide with no chemical UV filters, plus sunflower and jojoba oils, Kakadu plum and hyaluronic acid. It's 80 minutes water resistant and made for face and body, for adults and kids over 6 months.

It comes in a 100g tube, a 100g pump and a 10g sample. Shop Pure Zinc SPF 50.

Yes, it's made for face and body. Iron oxides give it a light tint that helps it rub in without a heavy white cast. Massage it in well and give it a few minutes to set before you put make-up on.

• Face and body, every day: Pure Zinc SPF 50
• Kids over 6 months: Kids SPF 50
• A light tint for your face: Tinted Face SPF 30
• Breakout-prone skin: Non-Comedogenic SPF 50
• Surf, swim and sport: a zinc stick for your face plus Pure Zinc for your body

There's no added parfum in our Pure Zinc range. Pure Zinc SPF 50 contains vanillin and coriander oil, which give it a light natural scent. Kids SPF 50 contains neither.

Yes, from 6 months old. Kids SPF 50 is made for them: 25% non-nano zinc oxide, mineral only, 80 minutes water resistant and no added fragrance. The coloured zinc sticks make putting it on more fun.

Keep babies under 6 months out of direct sun. Use shade, a sunhat and loose clothing rather than sunscreen. From 6 months, use a mineral sunscreen such as Baby SPF 30 or Kids SPF 50 on skin that clothes can't cover.

Make it a game. Let them pick a stick colour and draw on their own nose stripes, or try our Zinc face kit. Put cream on before they get changed for the beach, and reapply at snack time.

Sun protection still matters, and many people choose a mineral-only sunscreen such as Pure Zinc. If you have questions about which products to use while pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your midwife, GP or pharmacist.

• Zinc sticks and Sport Sunscreen: 4 hours water resistant
• Pure Zinc SPF 50 and Kids SPF 50: 80 minutes water resistant
• Other products: check the pack

Water resistant isn't waterproof. Water, sweat and towels all wear sunscreen off, so reapply after swimming, towelling or sweating, and at least every 2 hours.

A zinc stick on your face, nose and ears, where you burn first, and a water resistant cream on your body. The stick fits a pocket, so it's handy for hiking, cycling and skiing too. Read our surf sunscreen guide for the full routine.

Our Pure Zinc range uses non-nano zinc oxide and is free from oxybenzone and octinoxate, the two UV filters most linked to coral damage. Our zinc sticks contain other UV filters, and the Extreme stick contains octinoxate, so we don't describe them as reef safe.

Every product's full ingredient list, with what each ingredient does, is on our ingredients page. You can search it for anything you want to avoid.

Many people with sensitive skin prefer mineral sunscreen. Our Pure Zinc range is mineral only, with no chemical UV filters, parabens or added parfum. Everyone's skin is different, so patch test any new product: put a little on the inside of your arm, wait 24 hours, and don't use it if your skin reacts.

If you have eczema, rosacea, pigmentation or any other skin condition, or you're being treated for one, check with your GP, dermatologist or pharmacist before using a new sunscreen, and patch test first.

If your skin is breakout-prone, try our Non-Comedogenic SPF 50, made for skin that clogs easily. Whatever you use, cleanse well at the end of the day to remove all your sunscreen.

Yes, our whole Pure Zinc range is vegan: Pure Zinc SPF 50 (tube, pump and sample), Kids SPF 50, Baby SPF 30, Tinted Face SPF 30, Anti-Ageing Tinted SPF 30, Non-Comedogenic SPF 50 and Anti Mozzie SPF 50. If you need vegan sun care, choose from the Pure Zinc range.

No. None of our products contain parabens.

Our Pure Zinc range uses non-nano zinc oxide, which means the particles are too large to be classed as nanoparticles.

Sun Zapper is an Australian brand, making zinc sunscreen in Australia since 1995. Australia has some of the strongest UV on the planet, and sunscreen there is regulated as a medicine.

Yes. Check the pack for an expiry date and the open-jar symbol (for example 12M), which tells you how many months it lasts once opened. Don't use sunscreen past its date, and keep it out of hot cars and direct sun.

UK delivery is free on every order, whatever you spend. You'll see the delivery options and timings at checkout before you pay.

This shop delivers to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. In the US, shop at sunzapper.us.

When your order ships, we'll email you, with a tracking link if your courier provides one. You can also sign in to your account to see your orders.

Email gday@sunzapper.uk with your order number as soon as you can. If it hasn't been sent yet, we'll do our best to help.

Send back any unopened product within 60 days of receiving your order for a full refund. Returns are free: email gday@sunzapper.uk with your order number and the reason, and we'll send you a return label.

The only thing we can't take back is an opened or used product that isn't faulty, for hygiene reasons. Once your return reaches us, we'll refund you within 2 working days, and your bank may take a further 3 to 5 working days to show it. Read the full refund policy.

Sorry about that. Email gday@sunzapper.uk with your order number and a photo. You're entitled to a replacement or a refund, even if you've opened it, and we'll cover the cost of sending it back.

Mix and match any zinc sticks and the saving comes off automatically at checkout: 10% off 2 sticks, 15% off 3, and 20% off 4 or more.

We take Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Maestro, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay, PayPal and Klarna.

Sun Zapper is stocked by independent shops, pharmacies and surf shops around the UK. You can always buy the full range here online.

Yes, if you have a physical shop that customers can walk into. Apply to stock us. We don't supply online-only retailers.