FAQ

Sun Bum ® products are made, tested, and filled in the USA — with globally sourced components. 

Sun Bum® is Cruelty Free. This means that our products and raw materials are not tested on animals. Period. We are also certified by PETA® and Leaping Bunny®, third party companies that verify product testing practices as well as the processes of our suppliers. Check out the PETA® and Leaping Bunny® pages for more deets. https://crueltyfree.peta.org/company/sun-bum/ https://www.leapingbunny.org/shopping-guide

While most all our products are Vegan, certain products such as our Coco Balm Lip Balms, Tinted Lip Balms, Signature Lip Balm, Mineral Lip Balm and Baby Bum Diaper Rash Cream contain beeswax (from bees). We continue to explore ways to make our entire lineup of products Vegan and will do our best to update you as we do.

Our Signature line, Mineral line, Baby Bum SPF products, SPF Face Lotions, and our Daily Mineral Sunscreen Moisturizer are all Fragrance Free.

Nope. None of our products are made with Parabens or Vitamin A.

We're always looking for ways to be better to our planet. Currently, the bottles, tubes, and non-aerosol spray cans in our Skin Care line are recycleable. Just look at the number inside the little recycling symbol on the back of the product to learn how to best recycle it.

Remember to unscrew the cap and wash out the container before tossing it and check with your local recycling unit to see what they will/won't accept.

First off, we love gingers! Secondly, Baby Bum is the cleanest, most awesome sunscreen we make, you’ll love it.

It’s true that more skin pigment = more melanin = more natural protection, but people with dark skin are still at risk for skin cancer. And it’s often deadlier because it’s hidden in places like hands and feet and not diagnosed until it’s in a serious stage. Bob Marley died at the age of 36 from skin cancer that went undiagnosed for years on his foot.

Our Blonde Formulas are yellow because they have an enzyme that works to brighten blondes naturally versus purple which is a chemical color to tone down brassiness. It's a natural technology that has everything you need to enhance your golden locks without the mess in the shower.

Uhhhh… send us a resume?

Dear pasty dude or dudette, any sun exposure damages and ages the skin, so even a hint of color means you’re creating wrinkles, sagging, and cell injury that could lead to skin cancer.

All of our sunscreens have the highest possible Water Resistance rating of 80 minutes. Waterproof is no longer a claim that can be made according to the ruling made by the FDA in 2011. There are only two allowed Water Resistant ratings, 80 minute or 40 minute. Advances in research have allowed companies to formulate sunscreens that adhere well to your skin. However, regardless of the claims, you will have to reapply if you’re sweating heavily or doing activity in the water.

Just send a self-addressed stamped envelope to our Encinitas office and we’ll hook you up. Sun Bum 444 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024.

It’s rare but that orange-ish stain can happen when Avobenzone, an active ingredient in many sunscreen brands mixes with water that has a super high iron content, most likely the water you wash your clothes in. If sunscreen gets on your clothing before it dries, the iron in your water can cause oxidation, aka a rust stain.

You can avoid this stain and those caused by the oils and moisturizers in sunscreen by applying the product naked, which is always a good time, and allowing the lotion or spray to dry completely before putting your clothes on or by using an Avobenzone-free sunscreen, like our Signature line.

Our lotion and spray containers have been designed to keep the product in, and not spilling onto your belongings, however - our products - like all liquids - should be packed in a plastic bag that has a tight closure before putting them in your beach bag, suitcase, or purse. Sun Bum cannot be held responsible for damages to your belongings due to spills where the product was not properly packed.

To get sunscreen stains out there are lots of DIY suggestions online that can help. We’ve heard that it’s best to remove all excess with a spatula, blunt knife or spoon. If any liquid remains, blot it with a dry cloth. Sprinkle the stain with baking soda to absorb any excess oils and leave for 30 mins. Brush off any excess powder, then rub the stain with a color free dishwashing liquid and then wash according to care instructions on the garment. If the stain has not come out completely after a first wash - do not dry - repeat wash steps until the stain comes clean.

Yes, in all cases, Sun Bum follows the recommendations and guidelines set by the Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF), the American Cancer Society (ACS), and the FDA. The Skin Cancer Foundation is internationally recognized as the educational leader to the public and medical communities related to skin cancer prevention. Sun Bum sunscreens are stringently tested, approved, and recommended by the SCF.

When we started developing our original formula in 2010 it seemed obvious that we would make an “all natural” product, first, because we care about protecting the environment, and second, we knew we would be slathering our products on our very own family and friends. We are NOT in this for the money, we are in it to protect ourselves and the ones we love. One in five of us will get skin cancer in our lifetime, (1 in 3 Caucasians). That said, as we did the yearlong research on the subject we found that a lot of the “natural” sunscreens sounded great but didn’t actually cover the sun’s critical wavelength (broad spectrum). The other research that sealed the deal for us was that although everyone wants a “natural” sunscreen, most of the reviews we read were customers complaining about the way the “natural” products felt on their skin (too thick, sticky, made them look ghostly, smelled bad, had to scrub it off, short shelf life, etc…). We knew if we were going to move the needle on skin cancer in our community, we would need to create a formula that our friends and family would actually want to use, and love the way it smelled, felt on their skin, went on and came off. So, we developed a formula with as few FDA and SCF approved chemicals as possible, to give us the feel, smell, and functionality we all wanted, and took out the rest.

Sun Bum uses a mix of organic and inorganic sunscreens as recommended by the FDA, SCF, and ACS, as opposed to the recommendations of non-scientific lobbyist groups. We based our decisions on real science, on how to best protect our friends and families from the FACT that someone in America dies every minute from skin cancer.

We totally respect, understand, and appreciate your concerns about sunscreen ingredients, and we know there is much debate, so we will continue to work hard to stay informed on new “scientific” findings from around the world.

If a hat isn’t an option, use an oil like our Coconut Argan Oil . Think of making your hair shine, like a mirror that reflects the sun. If your hair is matte it will absorb the sun and fade, if it’s got a shine to it, the sun will bounce off it and not get into your strands.

We always put oil on before we hit the sun, our formula contains Argan Oil, Coconut Oil, Sweet Almond Oil and Sunflower Seed Oil.

Think about it, Sunflowers are bright yellow and stay in the sun all day, every day and never fade… it’s the oil. You’re welcome.

Also known as Avobenzone, Parsol® 1789 offers full spectrum UVA protection. Because of its ability to protect against a wider range of rays then other organic sunscreens it has become a go to ingredient to achieve broad spectrum coverage.

We do use Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide in our Signature products and in our Clear Zinc Oxide that are nano sized. Claims about negative effects of nano-particles and possible toxicity are not backed up by scientific research. All studies including the most recent one on the subject from January of 2012 showed that nano-particles do not enter the blood stream and do not pass the outer layer of skin. Even the Environmental Working Group (EWG) agrees on the safety of nano-particles, “we find nano-scale zinc and titanium to be reasonable choices for use in sunscreen, particularly given the known hazards of UV exposure.”

People who avoid sunscreen often do so because they leave a white or ghostly residue on their skin. Nano-Particles make it possible to make a sunscreen formula that is mineral based without the white residue. The last thing we want is for our friends and family to avoid sunscreen because it’s a pain in the ass to put on.

Our Signature Line is specifically made for athletes. It’s a mineral based endurance formula that is tough enough to stay on in extreme conditions. Unlike our light, sheer, and scented Original sunscreen formulas, our Signature Line goes on thicker and leaves a clear sheen film on your skin. This “film” is how natural sunscreens work, by actually reflecting the sun’s damaging rays away from your skin, like a mirror. Our Signature Line also does not contain any fragrance, which can irritate your eyes when you sweat. It’s non-migrating, doesn’t make your hands slippery, blah, blah, blah… If you surf, skate, run, golf, bike, play tennis, etc…. we guarantee you will absolutely LOVE it.

Broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against the harmful effects of both UVA (aging rays) and UVB (burning rays). To be classified as offering broad-spectrum protection, a product needs to absorb or reflect at least 90% of the UV rays. All Sun Bum Sunscreens offer broad-spectrum coverage. UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB rays and are primarily responsible for premature skin aging and wrinkling. UVA rays have also been shown to cause skin damage at the cellular level. UVB rays damage the outer layers of the skin. They are the main cause of sun burn and play a key role in the development of skin cancer.

We usually just let our hair air dry but if we’re in a hurry, to avoid frizz, we DON’T use a towel, we use a chamois first and then a cotton t-shirt.

Sun Bum ® products are made, tested, and filled in the USA — with globally sourced components. 

Sun Bum® is Cruelty Free. This means that our products and raw materials are not tested on animals. Period. We are also certified by PETA® and Leaping Bunny®, third party companies that verify product testing practices as well as the processes of our suppliers. Check out the PETA® and Leaping Bunny® pages for more deets. https://crueltyfree.peta.org/company/sun-bum/ https://www.leapingbunny.org/shopping-guide

While most all our products are Vegan, certain products such as our Coco Balm Lip Balms, Tinted Lip Balms, Signature Lip Balm, Mineral Lip Balm and Baby Bum Diaper Rash Cream contain beeswax (from bees). We continue to explore ways to make our entire lineup of products Vegan and will do our best to update you as we do.

Our Signature line, Mineral line, Baby Bum SPF products, SPF Face Lotions, and our Daily Mineral Sunscreen Moisturizer are all Fragrance Free.

Nope. None of our products are made with Parabens or Vitamin A.

Uhhhh… send us a resume?

We do use Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide in our Signature products and in our Clear Zinc Oxide that are nano sized. Claims about negative effects of nano-particles and possible toxicity are not backed up by scientific research. All studies including the most recent one on the subject from January of 2012 showed that nano-particles do not enter the blood stream and do not pass the outer layer of skin. Even the Environmental Working Group (EWG) agrees on the safety of nano-particles, “we find nano-scale zinc and titanium to be reasonable choices for use in sunscreen, particularly given the known hazards of UV exposure.”

People who avoid sunscreen often do so because they leave a white or ghostly residue on their skin. Nano-Particles make it possible to make a sunscreen formula that is mineral based without the white residue. The last thing we want is for our friends and family to avoid sunscreen because it’s a pain in the ass to put on.

Our Blonde Formulas are yellow because they have an enzyme that works to brighten blondes naturally versus purple which is a chemical color to tone down brassiness. It's a natural technology that has everything you need to enhance your golden locks without the mess in the shower.

If a hat isn’t an option, use an oil like our Coconut Argan Oil . Think of making your hair shine, like a mirror that reflects the sun. If your hair is matte it will absorb the sun and fade, if it’s got a shine to it, the sun will bounce off it and not get into your strands.

We always put oil on before we hit the sun, our formula contains Argan Oil, Coconut Oil, Sweet Almond Oil and Sunflower Seed Oil.

Think about it, Sunflowers are bright yellow and stay in the sun all day, every day and never fade… it’s the oil. You’re welcome.

We usually just let our hair air dry but if we’re in a hurry, to avoid frizz, we DON’T use a towel, we use a chamois first and then a cotton t-shirt.

We're always looking for ways to be better to our planet. Currently, the bottles, tubes, and non-aerosol spray cans in our Skin Care line are recycleable. Just look at the number inside the little recycling symbol on the back of the product to learn how to best recycle it.

Remember to unscrew the cap and wash out the container before tossing it and check with your local recycling unit to see what they will/won't accept.

First off, we love gingers! Secondly, Baby Bum is the cleanest, most awesome sunscreen we make, you’ll love it.

It’s true that more skin pigment = more melanin = more natural protection, but people with dark skin are still at risk for skin cancer. And it’s often deadlier because it’s hidden in places like hands and feet and not diagnosed until it’s in a serious stage. Bob Marley died at the age of 36 from skin cancer that went undiagnosed for years on his foot.

Dear pasty dude or dudette, any sun exposure damages and ages the skin, so even a hint of color means you’re creating wrinkles, sagging, and cell injury that could lead to skin cancer.

All of our sunscreens have the highest possible Water Resistance rating of 80 minutes. Waterproof is no longer a claim that can be made according to the ruling made by the FDA in 2011. There are only two allowed Water Resistant ratings, 80 minute or 40 minute. Advances in research have allowed companies to formulate sunscreens that adhere well to your skin. However, regardless of the claims, you will have to reapply if you’re sweating heavily or doing activity in the water.

It’s rare but that orange-ish stain can happen when Avobenzone, an active ingredient in many sunscreen brands mixes with water that has a super high iron content, most likely the water you wash your clothes in. If sunscreen gets on your clothing before it dries, the iron in your water can cause oxidation, aka a rust stain.

You can avoid this stain and those caused by the oils and moisturizers in sunscreen by applying the product naked, which is always a good time, and allowing the lotion or spray to dry completely before putting your clothes on or by using an Avobenzone-free sunscreen, like our Signature line.

Our lotion and spray containers have been designed to keep the product in, and not spilling onto your belongings, however - our products - like all liquids - should be packed in a plastic bag that has a tight closure before putting them in your beach bag, suitcase, or purse. Sun Bum cannot be held responsible for damages to your belongings due to spills where the product was not properly packed.

To get sunscreen stains out there are lots of DIY suggestions online that can help. We’ve heard that it’s best to remove all excess with a spatula, blunt knife or spoon. If any liquid remains, blot it with a dry cloth. Sprinkle the stain with baking soda to absorb any excess oils and leave for 30 mins. Brush off any excess powder, then rub the stain with a color free dishwashing liquid and then wash according to care instructions on the garment. If the stain has not come out completely after a first wash - do not dry - repeat wash steps until the stain comes clean.

Yes, in all cases, Sun Bum follows the recommendations and guidelines set by the Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF), the American Cancer Society (ACS), and the FDA. The Skin Cancer Foundation is internationally recognized as the educational leader to the public and medical communities related to skin cancer prevention. Sun Bum sunscreens are stringently tested, approved, and recommended by the SCF.

When we started developing our original formula in 2010 it seemed obvious that we would make an “all natural” product, first, because we care about protecting the environment, and second, we knew we would be slathering our products on our very own family and friends. We are NOT in this for the money, we are in it to protect ourselves and the ones we love. One in five of us will get skin cancer in our lifetime, (1 in 3 Caucasians). That said, as we did the yearlong research on the subject we found that a lot of the “natural” sunscreens sounded great but didn’t actually cover the sun’s critical wavelength (broad spectrum). The other research that sealed the deal for us was that although everyone wants a “natural” sunscreen, most of the reviews we read were customers complaining about the way the “natural” products felt on their skin (too thick, sticky, made them look ghostly, smelled bad, had to scrub it off, short shelf life, etc…). We knew if we were going to move the needle on skin cancer in our community, we would need to create a formula that our friends and family would actually want to use, and love the way it smelled, felt on their skin, went on and came off. So, we developed a formula with as few FDA and SCF approved chemicals as possible, to give us the feel, smell, and functionality we all wanted, and took out the rest.

Sun Bum uses a mix of organic and inorganic sunscreens as recommended by the FDA, SCF, and ACS, as opposed to the recommendations of non-scientific lobbyist groups. We based our decisions on real science, on how to best protect our friends and families from the FACT that someone in America dies every minute from skin cancer.

We totally respect, understand, and appreciate your concerns about sunscreen ingredients, and we know there is much debate, so we will continue to work hard to stay informed on new “scientific” findings from around the world.

Also known as Avobenzone, Parsol® 1789 offers full spectrum UVA protection. Because of its ability to protect against a wider range of rays then other organic sunscreens it has become a go to ingredient to achieve broad spectrum coverage.

Our Signature Line is specifically made for athletes. It’s a mineral based endurance formula that is tough enough to stay on in extreme conditions. Unlike our light, sheer, and scented Original sunscreen formulas, our Signature Line goes on thicker and leaves a clear sheen film on your skin. This “film” is how natural sunscreens work, by actually reflecting the sun’s damaging rays away from your skin, like a mirror. Our Signature Line also does not contain any fragrance, which can irritate your eyes when you sweat. It’s non-migrating, doesn’t make your hands slippery, blah, blah, blah… If you surf, skate, run, golf, bike, play tennis, etc…. we guarantee you will absolutely LOVE it.

Broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against the harmful effects of both UVA (aging rays) and UVB (burning rays). To be classified as offering broad-spectrum protection, a product needs to absorb or reflect at least 90% of the UV rays. All Sun Bum Sunscreens offer broad-spectrum coverage. UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB rays and are primarily responsible for premature skin aging and wrinkling. UVA rays have also been shown to cause skin damage at the cellular level. UVB rays damage the outer layers of the skin. They are the main cause of sun burn and play a key role in the development of skin cancer.