Why We Don’t Call It Sunscreen (And Why That’s a Good Thing)

When people say “sunscreen,” most of us picture a plastic bottle filled with half a lab and half a marketing team. We made something different: a hand-crafted, tallow & zinc balm built for people who actually spend time outside and don’t want a chemistry lesson on the label.

Could we go through the costly, time-consuming process of chasing an official sunscreen listing with the TGA and wait 1-2 years before releasing a tallow-based sunscreen? Sure. But instead of getting bogged down in red tape, we’d rather release a clean, effective product made with ingredients you can actually understand.

We aren’t saying sunscreen doesn’t have its place. We’re just saying the mainstream version has some problems — and our approach offers a better alternative.

The problem with most modern sunscreens

Commercial sunscreens often rely on synthetic chemical filters, heavy silicones, stabilisers, preservatives and fragrances — all to produce a clinically precise SPF number. For lots of people that combo causes:

• Skin irritation and sensitivity — fragrances, preservatives and chemical UV filters can sting, burn, and inflame.

• Chemical absorption into the body — chemical UV filters don’t stay on the skin; they penetrate into the bloodstream and act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with hormones and affecting long-term health.

• Environmental damage — chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate bleach and poison coral reefs, damaging fragile marine ecosystems.

• Confusing marketing — “broad spectrum”, “water resistant”, SPF 30 vs 50… all noise, with little transparency about what’s actually in the bottle.

This is why people are walking away from chemical sunscreens and searching for natural, mineral-based alternatives that work with the body and the environment — not against them.

Meet the balm: tallow, zinc, and a purposeful supporting cast

Our formula centres on two hero ingredients — and it’s thoughtfully rounded out with a handful of natural allies.

Hero ingredients

• Grass-fed beef tallow — a remarkably skin-compatible fat (similar to our own sebum, the skin’s natural protective oil) packed with vitamins A, D, E and K. Tallow nourishes deeply, strengthens the skin barrier, and helps it stay resilient in harsh conditions.

• Non-nano zinc oxide — a mineral that stays on the skin’s surface to create a physical barrier. Unlike nano zinc (which can slip into the body and harm marine life), non-nano zinc is larger in particle size, safer, and far better suited for those who want genuine mineral protection.
  

The supporting team (why each one is here)

• Jojoba oil — lightweight and balancing, closely mimics skin’s own oils to soften and hydrate without clogging.

• Beeswax & candelilla wax — create structure, water resistance, and staying power. Beeswax lends richness while candelilla balances the texture.

• Kokum butter — rich in essential fatty acids, it soothes dry skin, restores elasticity, and helps repair the skin barrier.

• Castor oil — naturally antimicrobial and rich in ricinoleic acid, it supports skin health while helping the balm stay smooth and protective.

• Coco-caprylate — a natural alternative to silicone that gives a silky skin feel without synthetics.

The result is a formula with integrity: every ingredient chosen to protect, condition, and strengthen skin outdoors — not to pad out a label.

Why this matters — and why our approach beats chemical sunscreens every time

We’re not here to play SPF number wars. What actually matters is what you’re putting on your skin every day — and what that means for your health and the planet.

Here’s why our balm stands apart:

• No chemical UV filters — nothing that seeps into your bloodstream or disrupts your hormones. Just mineral zinc oxide doing its job on the surface.

• Every ingredient with a purpose — no fillers, no marketing gimmicks, no alphabet soup of stabilisers.

• Skin-first performance — tallow, butters, and oils actually repair and nourish your skin while protecting it. You’ll feel the difference after a day outdoors.

• Stays where you put it — waxes and natural emollients keep it on noses, cheeks, lips, ears — the places that burn first.

• Rubs in clear — unlike chalky zinc pastes, our non-nano zinc is blended into a buttery base so it goes on smooth and disappears into your skin.

This isn’t a “less toxic” sunscreen. It’s a non-toxic, smarter, stronger way to care for your skin outside.

Who this balm is made for

• Outdoor people — surfers, hikers, runners, gardeners, kids at the beach. Anyone who spends time in the sun.

• Sensitive skin types — if conventional sunscreens sting or burn, you’ll love the clean, sting-free formula.

• Parents — safe, straightforward ingredients you actually feel good about putting on your kids’ faces.

• Ancestral wellness seekers — if you want skincare rooted in whole, natural ingredients instead of chemical experiments.

FAQs (the straight answers you actually want)

Is this sunscreen?
By law, no — we can’t call it that. It’s a mineral-rich barrier balm made with zinc oxide and tallow. Functionally, it’s exactly what people are looking for when they want a natural sunscreen alternative.

Is zinc oxide safe?
Yes. Non-nano zinc stays on the surface of the skin, forms a protective barrier, and is reef safe. It protects without entering your body or harming the ocean.

Does it leave a white cast?
No. Unlike thick zinc pastes that sit like chalk on your skin, our non-nano zinc is blended into a rich base of tallow, butters, and oils. It rubs in clear, leaving your skin nourished and protected without the ghost look.

What’s the SPF?
Our balm has been tested, but Australian law doesn’t allow us to advertise SPF numbers without going through the full TGA sunscreen approval process. If you want the lab results, email us and we’ll send them straight to you.

Final word

We built this balm for people who want simple, powerful skin protection without the chemical baggage. Instead of hormone disruptors, reef-killers, and artificial fillers, you get grass-fed beef tallow, non-nano zinc, and a supporting cast of natural butters, waxes, and oils that work.

It’s not a product dreamed up in a lab. It’s real ingredients, real benefits, and a formula made to serve you outdoors.