Product Questions:
Do Suntegrity sunscreens provide both UVA and UVB protection?
Yes, Suntegrity sunscreens provide broad spectrum SPF 30 protection. They underwent both UVB testing and the new UVA in vitro testing and met the requirements for the new FDA Broad Spectrum SPF 30 labeling. If used as directed with other sun protection measures (see Directions on the label), these sunscreens decrease the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging caused by the sun.
Are Suntegrity sunscreens safe for children?
Yes, Suntegrity sunscreens are safe for use on children over 6 months of age. The active ingredient in Suntegrity sunscreens is Zinc Oxide which is the same active ingredient used in diaper rash creams. While Zinc Oxide is the only active sunscreen ingredient in Suntegrity and Zinc Oxide is the only sunscreen active ingredient that is approved by the FDA for use in baby diaper rash creams, we recommend using it on children under 6 months of age only with the advice of a physician. It is recommended that babies under 6 months of age are kept out of direct sun.
Does Suntegrity use nanomaterial zinc oxide or titanium dioxide?
No. Nanomaterial means an insoluble or biopersistent and intentionally manufactured material with one or more external dimensions, or an internal structure, on the scale from 1 to 100 nm. This is why our untinted sunscreens start out white. This initial white helps you see where you applied the sunscreen so you don’t miss a spot and it will quickly disappear into the skin after you rub it in.
Does Suntegrity use coated or uncoated Zinc Oxide?
Suntegrity uses uncoated zinc oxide because it is very therapeutic to the skin. Uncoated zinc oxide is the main ingredient used in Calamine lotion and baby diaper rash creams, and it also an ingredient often found in rosacea, melasma and acne treatments.
Zinc oxide has several properties which make it useful for certain skin conditions, including eczema; it is antiseptic and astringent, it absorbs moisture, which makes it particularly good for severe eczema with weeping sores and, as it’s not water soluble, it will keep the skin dry when exposed to alkaline liquids – which is why it’s used for diaper rash.
Zinc oxide is approved by the FDA as a Category I skin protectant. It is used as a soothing preparation for facial redness and steroid-induced thinning of the epidermis.
Many customers report that our sunscreens help fade their brown spots, reduce the redness of their rosacea and decrease their acne symptoms. We believe this is primarily because of the high amounts (20%) of uncoated zinc oxide that we use in our sunscreen formulations.
Are Suntegrity products cruelty-free?
Yes, Suntegrity products are cruelty-free. Our sunscreens are both PETA and Leaping Bunny certified. We do NOT test on animals. We DO test our sunscreens on humans per the mandatory requirements of the FDA Sunscreen Monograph for SPF labeling.
Are Suntegrity products vegan?
All of our products are vegan except the Sport Line (lotions + sun sticks) and two of our serums (Rebound and Staycation) which contain organic beeswax. We feel that supporting organic bee farming helps the environment.
Are Suntegrity sunscreens safe for coral reefs?
Our products do not contain the following ingredients known to pose a threat to Ecosystem Health (including Coral Reefs):
- Microplastic spheres or beads
- Nanoparticles
- Oxybenzone
- Octinoxate
- 4-methylbenzylidene camphor
- Octocrylene
- Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)
- Homosalate
- Octisalate
- Butyloctyl salicylic acid
- Benzophenone
- Parabens (Methyl Paraben, Ethyl Paraben, Propyl Paraben, Butyl Paraben, Benzyl Paraben)
- Triclosan
- Use of Nylon powders
Are Suntegrity sunscreens gluten-free?
All of our products are formulated with ingredients free of gluten. However, the lab where they are manufactured may or may not produce items with raw materials containing gluten. Since we cannot confirm this and our priority is the safety and health of our customers, we don't make any 100% gluten-free statements. We recommend doing a patch test before use to be sure the products agree with your body.
Do Suntegrity sunscreens contain soy?
The following products contain soy: Impeccable Skin, Self Tanner.
The following products are formulated with ingredients free of soy: Face Sunscreen/Primer, 5 in 1 Tinted Sunscreen, Body Sunscreen (scented and unscented), Sport Sunscreen, Sport Sticks, Vanish, Rebound & Staycation. However, the lab where they are manufactured may or may not produce items with raw materials containing soy. Since we cannot confirm this and our priority is the safety and health of our customers, we don't make any 100% soy-free statements. We recommend doing a patch test before use to be sure the products agree with your body.
Do Suntegrity sunscreens contain synthetic fragrance?
No. Instead of using synthetic fragrances, we use essential oils, fruit extracts, natural flavor oils and/or natural fragrances in our scented products and we also offer unscented options in our line for those who are sensitive to scent.
Sunscreen Questions:
What is Sunscreen:
Sunscreens are filters of UV energy. They are used to filter a proportion of UV rays - not all of them. It is a myth, that if you wear sunscreen you are fully protected from UV absorption and the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays and will not burn. The truth is sunscreens are a means to REDUCE a dose of sunburn you will get if you don't wear it.
Do sunscreens block out all UV rays?
No, sunscreens are filters, not “blocks”. All sunscreens let some UV radiation through at varying rates indicated by the SPF number. This is why the term “sunblock” is prohibited for use by the FDA.
What does SPF mean?
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) indicates how long you can stay in the sun without burning from UVB light. SPF does not indicate any protection from the damaging UVA rays which cause skin cancer.
For example, an SPF 30 product allows 1/30th of the sunburning UV radiation energy through it vs. wearing no sunscreen at all. Wearing an SPF 30 product will give you 30 times the protection before burning takes place.
How long will it take for me to burn if I’m wearing sunscreen?
1) Take the time you would normally burn in the sun without protection. Depending on one’s skin type and severity of the sun, it only takes 4 to 10 minutes for most people to burn from the sun without protection. Sunburn may take hours to actually appear on the skin which means damage is occurring before you can actually see the sunburn.
2) Multiply that number by the SPF of your product. For example: with an SPF 30 x 6 minutes of sun time before burning = 180 (3 hours) … this is how many minutes you can stay in the sun without burning.
Fair Skin that burns without sunscreen in 4mins
Apply 30+ sunscreen 15-30 minutes before sun exposure.
You have 120 minutes of time in the sun before burning begins.
Re-application recommended after 1 hour or towel drying and sweating.
Fair to Medium Skin that burns without sunscreen in 6mins
Apply 30+ sunscreen 15-30 minutes before sun exposure.
You have 180 minutes of time in the sun before burning begins.
Re-application recommended after 2 hrs or towel drying and sweating, this boosts
the effectiveness of the sunscreen for the remaining hour.
Medium to Dark Skin that burns without sunscreen in 10mins
Apply 30+ sunscreen 15-30 minutes before sun exposure.
You Have 300 minutes of time in the sun before burning begins.
Re-application recommended after 2hrs or towel drying and sweating, this boosts
the effectiveness of the sunscreen for the remaining 3 hours.
When and why do I need to re-apply sunscreen?
Re-application is necessary and recommended every two hours or as needed, and after swimming, sweating or towel drying. Use a water resistant sunscreen if swimming or sweating. Re-application of sunscreen only gives the first application of sunscreen a boost in effectiveness. It does NOT prolong the amount of time you can stay in the sun.
