Reef-safe Sunscreen for Surfers + Anglers

Marketing messages can mislead.

Many sunscreen products use messaging that’s legal but severely misleading. Most “baby safe” or “sensitive skin” products contain dangerous petrochemicals that are anything but safe. Many others claim they’re “reef safe” because they don’t contain oxybenzone and octinoxate, but they use every other petrochemical that make them completely UNSAFE for reefs and any marine life.

Ingredients matter

Regardless of marketing messages, it’s the actual ingredients within a sunscreen formulation that matter. Waxhead ingredients are without equal, from top-grade non-nano zinc oxide to our certified organic list of inactive ingredients. They combine to deliver the safest, most effective, most eco-friendly sun defense available.

Non-nano zinc oxide

For their active sunscreen ingredient, Waxhead products use only non-nano zinc oxide, which is the ONLY active sunscreen ingredient that’s completely safe for humans and marine life and covers the entire UVA-UVB spectrum by itself. Petrochemicals are clearly unacceptable, but both titanium dioxide, which does NOT cover a significant portion of the UVA spectrum, and nano particle zinc oxide, which harms marine life as it enters marine biosystems, also fall well short.

Petrochemicals are toxic

At their best, petrochemical sunscreens trade sun damage for chemical and hormone damage. A single ounce of typical petrochemical sunscreen mimics estrogen in the body, to a level that menopause patients take as a daily supplement. That same ounce delivers an amount of contaminants to the body that one AVOIDS by eating a strict organic, non-GMO diet for an ENTIRE YEAR. Petrochemical sunscreens are also highly flammable, and there are many documented cases of skin covered with sunscreen catching fire when close to open flames. Waxhead sunscreens contain absolutely NO petrochemicals. Ever.

Petrochemical sunscreens don’t really prevent skin cancer

Since 1970s, when “broad spectrum” products, made with oil derived petrochemicals, first began to gain popularity, consumers have continued to buy and use more and more sunscreen. Since 1975, US per capita use has increased by over 300%, while skin cancer rates have almost exactly matched that growth. Clearly, such products do not work as promised, because while they do a fairly good job of preventing surface damage (skin redness or sunburn), they allow deep tissue damage that usually manifests years later as various forms of skin cancer and other biosystem maladies.

Waxhead far exceeds ingredient ban standards

Instead of just eliminating oxybenzone or octinoxate, Waxhead sunscreens don’t contain ANY petrochemicals, meaning they’re TRULY reef safe. Although completely well-meaning, limited petrochemical bans miss two important truths. First, they discount the harm any petrochemical does to humans. This damage is immense and has been a significant factor in the skin cancer epidemic. Second, the bans won’t work for their stated purpose (to protect reefs) because they allow inclusion of several other petrochemicals, each of which harm marine life in their own way. In environmental terms, user-borne petrochemicals, many from products labeled as reef safe (which is an unregulated term), account for an oil spill the size of the Exxon Valdez every three years.

Holistic biochemistry

Waxhead sunscreens are designed using top-level biochemistry knowledge with a complete holistic appreciation for how our formulations react with skin in the sun and how they affect our environment.

Almost all other sunscreens fall into two broad categories. One is petrochemical based brands. These are made by teams of well-funded biochemistry experts with a crucial shortcoming – they lack an appreciation for how their formulations ultimately affect the health of humans and our environment. Akin to scientists who defend the tobacco industry, they see only the bottom line of what is legal and what is profitable. The other category is comprised of products designed using amateur “internet research” formulations. These are made by companies with a well-meaning desire to make healthy products, but with a significant lack of biochemistry knowledge. This manifests itself in products with seemingly good ingredients that have no business being on skin that’s getting hit with UV energy.

Waxhead products nourish skin

Our products don’t just avoid harming skin. They actively nourish it, with certified organic ingredients like extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil and jojoba oil, natural vitamin E and vitamin D, shea butter, and beeswax. After a day of wearing Waxhead in the sun, your skin actually feels good.

True cost

While our products are more expensive than common skincare brands, our prices represent a true cost to the world. We source our top-grade ingredients only from reputable, fair-trade, cruelty-free companies that are almost entirely US based. We don’t purchase ingredients from countries with questionable labor or production practices. If we did, we could make less expensive products that would hide the damage done to our customers and our planet.

Eco-friendly Waxhead apparel

We make most of our clothing from recycled cotton and post-consumer plastic fibers. Everything is ethically sourced and printed in the US. Some of our shirts are printed as the order is placed, creating less fabric waste than conventional manufacturing. When you buy Waxhead apparel, you're directly contributing to reducing waste and saving our planet.

We take care of our customers

Actually, we pretty much cherish them. When they have questions about sunscreen, whether we make it or not, we give them our full unbiased info and opinions. In the rare instances when they have problems or complaints concerning our products, we do all we can to make them happy. We take pride in delivering what we call a Zappos-level of customer care, and our customers love us for it.

We take responsibility for our place in the world

Besides making human-friendly, eco-friendly products, we give a portion of our profits and our time to support well-run coastal and oceanic conservation and cleanup organizations. We consider this vital to help preserve fun sunny days for generations to come.

Other good stuff

Waxhead sunscreen ingredients won’t repel fish, won’t harm your gear, and won’t sting your eyes. These benefits don’t matter so much to your health or the environment, but they make for a much more rewarding day in the sun.

What is the difference between chemical sunscreens and zinc oxide sunscreens?

Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing UV rays, while zinc oxide sunscreens act as a physical barrier that reflects and scatters the rays, providing a more natural approach to sun protection.

Are non-nano zinc oxide sunscreens suitable for sensitive skin?

Absolutely! Our non-nano zinc oxide sunscreens are crafted with sensitive skin in mind and provide gentle yet effective sun protection without causing irritation or sensitivity. They are free from harsh chemicals, fragrances, and potential irritants and are gentle on the skin. All our Waxhead Sunscreens are an excellent choice for individuals with sensitive or allergy-prone skin.

Can I use zinc oxide sunscreen on my face?

Absolutely! Zinc oxide sunscreens, especially those formulated for the face, offer excellent protection and are gentle enough for daily use.

Are zinc oxide sunscreens reef-safe?

Yes! Our Zinc Oxide Sunscreen is reef-safe and environmentally friendly. Our products are biodegradable and contain none of the petrochemicals known to have feminizing effects on fish, coral toxicity, or bio-accumulation issues. Most brands that claim to be reef safe are absolutely NOT safe for reefs or any marine life since they contain several petrochemicals, just not the few currently banned. Just to be clear, they are 100% free from benzene, oxybenzone and octinoxate, chemicals known to harm coral reefs. By choosing our sunscreen, you're making a conscious choice to protect your skin and the environment.

Does Waxhead zinc oxide contain nanoparticles?

No, we do not use nano or micronized zinc oxide. We only use non-nano zinc oxide, and the particles will not enter your bloodstream or interfere with fragile marine environments (because the particles are too big).

Does this sunscreen leave a white residue on the skin?

Yes, some. When used properly, zinc oxide gives skin a visible whitish hue. The ability to see the sunscreen on the skin is useful to see where skin is protected and where you need to apply. We do offer tinted sunscreen to help reduce the white residue.

Can I wear makeup over this sunscreen?

Definitely! Our sunscreen is designed to be compatible with makeup application. After applying the sunscreen, you can proceed with your regular makeup routine. It acts as a great base, providing sun protection while allowing your makeup to look flawless.

Is this sunscreen cruelty-free and vegan-friendly?

We are proud to be a cruelty-free brand. We never test our products on animals. Because some of our sunscreens contain certified organic beeswax, not all our sunscreens are not technically vegan.

How often should I reapply this sunscreen?

It is recommended to reapply sunscreen every two hours or more frequently if you are sweating or engaging in water activities. Regular reapplication ensures continuous protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Remember, consistent use of sunscreen is key to maintaining sun safety and skin health.

Can I use this sunscreen while swimming or sweating?

Yes! Most of our Zinc Oxide Sunscreens offer water resistance for up to 80 minutes, making them an excellent choice for swimming or engaging in activities that make you sweat. However, we recommend reapplying after towel drying or extended water exposure for continued protection.

Is this sunscreen suitable for acne-prone skin?

Yes! Our Zinc Oxide Sunscreen is non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog your pores or exacerbate acne. In fact, some of our sunscreens contain ingredients like organic jojoba oil and shea butter that can help soothe and moisturize acne-prone skin, providing both sun protection and skincare benefits.

Can I use this sunscreen on my body and face?

Absolutely! Our Zinc Oxide Sunscreen is designed for use on both the body and face. Its gentle and effective formula makes it suitable for all areas of the skin that need sun protection, ensuring comprehensive coverage and peace of mind.

Is this sunscreen suitable for children?

Absolutely! Our Zinc Oxide Sunscreen is safe for children. It is formulated with gentle and natural ingredients that are suitable for delicate skin. Protect your little ones with confidence and provide them with the sun protection they need.

Are all Waxhead sunscreen ingredients listed on the label and website?

Yes, we disclose each and every one of our ingredients anywhere our products are offered for sale, including our labels, our website, and 3rd party vendors such as Amazon. We are proud of our ingredients, and we want our customers to know exactly what they’re buying from us.

Do Waxhead sunscreens expire?

The useful life of our sunscreens has no practical limit, since our active ingredient zinc oxide is a mineral and does not lose its sunscreen capabilities over time, but the FDA requires sunscreen products to list a 3-year shelf life, mainly because petrochemical active ingredients degrade over time. Our inactive ingredients are relatively resistant to oxidation, and zinc oxide acts as both an antimicrobial and anti-fungal preservative. However, if you ever feel a Waxhead product has spoiled, just let us know, and we'll send you a replacement.

If you have any further questions or need personalized advice, please don't hesitate to contact mac@gowaxhead.com. We're here to help you make the best decision for your sun protection needs.