Since we sell natural products, I get asked all the time if we sell sunscreen.
To actually make good-enough sunscreen in your own kitchen is do-able (although there are definitely systems you need to follow if you’re relying on full sun protection but YAY for zinc oxide as a safe ingredient!)
However, selling it is extremely difficult. It is so highly regulated and complicated with all the FDA procedures and hoops to jump through, that long ago we opted out of even attempting to go down this road.
That’s the unfortunate news.
The good news is, we found a fabulous company with a sunblock that works extremely well on our skin. Even Sophie approved! And it outperforms all other sunscreen products!
I found 3rd Rock Sunblock first through Kitchen Stewardship’s extensive research on sunscreen. I ordered a tube and later got on a call with Kyle of 3rd Rock to get more information.
I was impressed to find out that the founder, Guerry, is both a chemist and a surfer and he put both passions into his project many years ago after having two younger surfer friends find out they had melanoma. (Here’s the rest of that story.)
Guerry created 3rd Rock Sunblock and other products with the same important message that we’ve been saying with our products:
“What you put on your skin should be safe enough to put in your mouth.”
Here are all the benefits of 3rd Rock Natural Sunblock
- You need both UVA protection (the most dangerous rays that run deep and cause melanoma) and UVB protection (the one that burns). 3rd Rock Sunblock is a proven broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion that offers protection from both.
- 3rd Rock Sunblock can be used with infants and sensitive skin.
- 3rd Rock is non-comedogenic.
- It’s made with food-grade ingredients.
- It’s endocrine and disruptor free.
- It’s made with 23.5% zinc oxide.
- 3rd Rock Sunblock is sweat and water-resistant.
- They offer SPF 35!
- Not just a reef-safe sunscreen but it feeds the reef.
- They have their own patented zinc formula that has been tested and has outperformed ALL other sunscreens.
How 3rd Rock Sunscreen Worked for Us
Over the 4th of July weekend, we headed to our favorite mountain town getaway. This meant we were in the direct sun for a few hours while in town, and even more so when we headed to the lake. Plenty of time for A LOT of sun exposure.
Generally, I am just not a fan of sunscreen and only keep it handy if we need it. I make sure to keep the family out of the strongest rays in the middle of the day, wear a hat, and come in at the first sign of pink. And that’s mostly avoiding the more obvious UVB rays.
This, however, was clearly the day to use it.
As someone who makes our own homemade version, I was already prepared for the slightly chalky feel that comes from using zinc oxide. You need it if you want something as high as a 35 SPF. And it will also come on with more whiteness than your cheap-o sunscreen.
3rd Rock does have a bit of that thick feel and whiteness but it absorbs right in. It actually feels like it’s working double duty as a lotion (it has beeswax! No surprise there!). So I was thrilled that I could keep active Sophie quickly covered without having to spend time working it into her skin.
I think I loved the scent the most! I correctly identified a hint of frankincense, which I always appreciate in any skincare product.
The best part? By the end of the day, we were burn-free and not a hint of pink, even after swimming.
Kyle hooked us up with a 20% off coupon code that you can use anytime for any product, not just their sunblock.
Find all their products by clicking here.
I’ll be back to 3rd Rock to try out their other products, like a Neosporin alternative and an odor-fighting deodorant.
Reply and let me know if you’d like me to review those as well!
Staying safe in the sun,
Renee Harris
P.S. Don’t forget that 3rd Rock is generously offering you 20% off using code MADEON