If you don't find your answer here please email us at: custserv@badgerbalm.com.
Using Badger Sunscreens
The FDA tests sunscreen's SPF using 2 milligrams of sunscreen per square centimeter (2mg/cm2) of skin. This is about 1oz for a full adult body (about a shot glass full) or about 1/3 of a teaspoon to cover your face. It's nearly impossible to actually measure and evenly apply sunscreen according to these guidelines, so we suggest applying a visibly whitening coat of sunscreen to all exposed skin and rubbing it in to reduce the whitening effect. To ensure that you have achieved full and even coverage, let this coat dry/sink in for 15-30 minutes and then reapply. Think of it as a base coat and finish coat.
To maintain maximum effectiveness, sunscreen should be reapplied at least every 2 hours and directly after extended swimming or sweating. For sensitive skin, apply a small amount of the product to test before full use. Keep out of eyes and keep off broken or unhealthy skin. Adult supervision recommended when using this product on children. If separation in product occurs, knead tube to remix product before use.
Badger sunscreens have a shelf life of two to three years from the date they are manufactured (depending on the product). That is the expiration date that is printed on the crimp (top edge) of the tubes. The product should remain good for use for one year after it is opened, or until the expiration date has been reached. We cannot guarantee that an expired product will adequately protect you from the sun and you should replace the tube. Note: Extreme temperature fluctuations may cause the natural ingredients in these products to expire early. We recommend that you store Badger sunscreen in temperatures below 90 degrees F.
Click to find the expiration date on your product.
Yes. All of our sunscreens are used regularly for both face and body. We have additionally tested several of our sunscreens as non-comedogenic, which means that they will not clog pores. Although we have not tested every sunscreen individually, the base formulas of the sunscreens are very similar and we would expect similar test results.
Yes, a powder makeup can be used after applying Badger sunscreen to your face. We do not recommend the use of a liquid makeup which may dilute or displace the sunscreen, lessening the sun protection offered.
Yes, as long as the lotion is completely absorbed before applying the sunscreen. If sunscreen is diluted, the SPF may decrease significantly and will not offer as much protection. However, you may find that you do not need a lotion if wearing Badger Sunscreen! Each tube and bottle of sunscreen contains powerful natural moisturizers and antioxidants that nourish and protect your skin.
No. It is not a good idea to mix the sunscreen with another cream, makeup, body lotions, water, coconut oil, etc. This would dilute the sunscreen reducing its SPF and compromising your sun protection. You can, however, apply sunscreen over another skin care product if you've allowed it to absorb into your skin first. Badger sunscreens are very moisturizing and nourishing on their own and you might find that you do not need another moisturizer.
All of our sunscreens are totally safe and effective for the whole family. The only difference with our Baby Sunscreens is that we added Organic Roman Chamomile and Organic Calendula for their calming and soothing effects. The FDA recommends that you consult your pediatrician or doctor when using any sunscreens on infants under 6 months of age.
Since babies come in all shapes and sizes, the best way to ensure sufficient sun protection is to apply a generous amount of sunscreen to your little one, then rub it in. Remember to reapply at least every 2 hours, even if baby is in the shade!
Since the ingredients in our sunscreens are natural and organic, and we don't add any synthetic ingredients, they sometime become partially separated over time or from exposure to big temperature changes. Simply squeeze out and dispose of the little bit of oil on top and you should see the sunscreen cream follow. Once the oil is removed the sunscreen is safe to use. Do not apply straight oil to your skin before sun exposure. If you are unable to squeeze off or re-mix the zinc oxide and oil, it's probably time for a new tube of sunscreen. Please call their customer service team if your product has not passed the expiration date.
If you let the product soak into the skin for a few minutes before letting fabric touch it directly, you can reduce the chance of stains. It is best to rub the product onto the skin well and let sit for a moment to allow the mineral particles to spread out evenly over the skin. The best way to remove a zinc oxide and oil stain is by applying watered down rubbing alcohol (50/50) directly to the stain then dabbing gently to lift the stain.
If you do not have alcohol on hand, stains resulting from natural oils may be removed that same way you would remove a salad dressing stain: apply a dish soap directly to the stain (because regular laundry detergent does not contain oil-removing properties), then launder as normal. It usually does the trick!
The best way to remove Badger sunscreen is to get a really good lather going with a natural soap, warm water, and a loofah (or a sponge or washcloth) and gently rub off the sunscreen. Some customers have recommended using oil, such as Badger's Face Oil, to remove sunscreen from the face area. Of course, Badger sunscreens contains rich moisturizing ingredients that absorb into the skin as you wear the product, so you may still feel these moisturizing effects even after washing. The all-natural, organic ingredients will continue to soothe and nourish even after you have removed the active sunscreen ingredient--You might not even need a post-shower moisturizer!
Sunscreen Safety
We pride ourselves in making the safest and most effective sunscreens available and we care deeply for you, our customer, and for your wellbeing. We hope that our answers below might help you to understand how you might have been sunburned while using our product.
Applying mineral sunscreens can be challenging, and incorrect application can result in less protection. Here are the top reasons why you may have gotten burned while using a Badger Sunscreen.
You did not apply enough. Mineral sunscreens can be thicker than chemical sunscreens and somewhat harder to apply. People often apply far too little of mineral sunscreen. Applying half the amount of sunscreen you should use provides only the square root of the SPF, so a half application of SPF 30 only gives you an SPF 5.5. See above question on “How do I use Badger Sunscreen” for the amount you should apply.
Some of your sunscreen washed off in the water or by sweating, or it was rubbed off on clothes or a towel. Remember, mineral sunscreens like Badger sit on top of the skin and can be rubbed off. We, the FDA, and all sunscreen manufacturers recommend reapplication every two hours, and after swimming, sweating, or towel drying.
Some medications make you more sensitive to the sun. Please read more about any medications you may be taking and please take any ‘avoid the sun’ warnings seriously.
Your tube of sunscreen has compromised stability due to poor storage or is expired.* Please contact our customer service team if you have any further concerns or questions
Absolutely! We don't use any of the ingredients shown to harm coral or marine life. Visit our Reef Safe Sunscreen page to learn more.
No. In general, only essential oils with high levels of furanoids will be phototoxic or will cause photosensitivity. We intentionally chose to use Sweet Orange and Tangerine because they are among the few citrus essential oils that are not phototoxic. Just to be safe, we tested our kids sunscreen formula for phototoxicity (the results of which came back negative).
You can expect some whitening with any mineral-based sunscreens. However, the clear zinc oxide we use minimizes the white cast left behind.
Excellent! Why not see for yourself? You can even see how all of our other Badger products rate for safety.
There is no such thing as a complete sunblock, so some sun rays will reach your skin even when you are wearing our highest SPF sunscreens. Consult with your healthcare professional to assess your Vitamin D intake and needs.
Though we use the safest most natural ingredients available, our sunscreen is not meant to be ingested. It should be fine if your child licks her or his hand after Badger sunscreen has been applied, however, you should seek medical attention or contact a poison control center if your child has consumed a significant amount of sunscreen (and bring in the package so the practitioner can read the ingredients).
The price of ingredients in our natural sunscreens is significantly higher than the price of ingredients in chemical sunscreens. For example, the main base ingredient in most conventional sunscreens is water; the main base ingredient in Badger's sunscreens is Organic Sunflower Oil . Additionally, the zinc oxide used in all of our sunscreens is the single most expensive active ingredient used in sunscreens. Most common sunscreens are made entirely of relatively inexpensive synthetic chemicals, which is why they are so cheap. We believe that the natural ingredients we use make our products better, but they are also more expensive.
We are working on creating larger tubes of our sunscreens. In the meantime, give us a call to ask about bulk order discounts if you require a large amount of sunscreen.
Sunscreens with really high SPFs, like SPF 75 or SPF 100, do not offer significantly greater protection than SPF 30 or SPF 50 sunscreens. In addition, these very high SPF numbers can provide a false sense of security, encouraging people to spend more time in the sun, and sometimes causing people to get burned. SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays, and SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays - as the SPF numbers get larger, the margin of improvement gets smaller. Additionally, it is very difficult to attain higher SPFs with just using mineral active ingredients.
Not all sunscreen sprays are created equal. We feel that there is a safety concern with the aerosol type spray sunscreens and the fine particle mist they create. This type of "spray sunscreen" is too easy to inhale into the lungs, especially for kids. This type of spray-on sunscreen also goes on invisibly making it difficult to determine how much has been applied and where, often resulting in inadequate protection. We do, however, believe that a sunscreen lotion in a non-aerosol spray pump could be safe and provide added ease of application.
Clear Zinc Oxide Sunscreen FAQs
Badger sunscreens contain a type of zinc oxide whose particles have a porous surface texture, like a sea sponge, so they don't reflect as much visible light as other zinc oxide particles and are therefore less whitening on the skin. The large particle size of this 'clear zinc' oxide gives it the same outstanding safety and efficacy of standard non-nano zinc oxide meaning it won't absorb into your skin, it won't harm the environment, and it provides excellent UVA and UVB protection.
Learn more about clear zinc oxide.
Label & Ingredient Questions
We had some of our sunscreens tested by independent laboratories to ensure that they are safe for babies, kids, and those with sensitive skin.
No. We only use ingredients that are gentle and non-irritating. We would not use an ingredient such as PABA in our natural and organic sunscreens.
No, Badger Sunscreens only use pharmaceutical-grade zinc oxide as the active ingredient and we do not add Vitamin A to our sunscreens.
Yes, almost all of the ingredients in our sunscreens are USDA Certified Organic. The only exceptions are ingredients that are exempt from the National Organic Program (zinc oxide), and ingredients that are not currently available with an organic certification. You can see the total percentage of organic content on the "Ingredients" tab on each sunscreen product page.
The USDA standard states that a product must be made of 95-100% organic ingredients in order to bear the USDA Certified Organic seal. Since all of our sunscreens contain at least 10% of the mineral zinc oxide, the products cannot be certified organic by the National Organic Program. Even though we can't label it as organic, we still use USDA Certified Organic ingredients whenever possible (listed with an asterisk (*) in the ingredient panel), and we list the % organic ingredients on the front of the label, a method which is certified by QAI to the NSF/ANSI 305 Organic Standard (the most rigorous organic standard for personal care)
Our Tocopherol (vitamin E) is derived solely from Sunflower Oil, and yes, our Vitamin E is non-GMO.
We hired an independent laboratory to conduct light scattering analysis on our sunscreens and they determined that our Clear Zinc Oxide has a particle size range of 565nm to 19,000nm with an average particle size of 3400nm and no free nanoparticles. We also took and analyzed scanning electron microscope photographs giving us smaller results.
We've developed advanced mixing methods to efficiently disperse our zinc oxide particles in our sunscreens. This minimizes particle agglomeration (clumping) resulting in a more even layer of zinc oxide on the skin and more efficient protection.
Yes, all Badger sunscreens are Gluten Free.
General Sunscreen Questions
Physical barrier sunscreens (like Badger's) form a film on top of the skin that reflects, absorbs, and scatters UV light using the minerals zinc oxide and/or Titanium Dioxide. We use only non-nano zinc oxide for our sunscreens because we feel it is the safest & most effective option - and it has been used on the skin for hundreds of years.
Unlike physical barrier sunscreens, chemical sunscreens are designed to soak into the skin, absorbing UV rays before they can do any damage. Most chemical ingredients protect against either UVA or UVB, but not for both, so many conventional sunscreens use several chemical active ingredients. Since these chemical sunscreens absorb into the skin they are more likely to cause irritation or allergies. Furthermore, they can get into your blood potentially causing unwanted health effects.
Sun Protection Factor, or SPF, is a measurement of how well a sunscreen will protect skin from UVB rays, the kind of radiation that causes sunburn and contributes to skin cancer. SPF does not indicate how well a product will protect you from UVA rays. Read all about SPF.
Sunblock is an out of date term for sunscreen. The FDA no longer allows the use of the term 'sunblock' since no skin care products completely 'block' the sun. Sunscreens are skin products that either reflect or absorb UVB and/or UVA rays and are FDA registered drugs in the USA. Sun Screens are physical objects like a screen, an umbrella, or clothing.
As of 2021 all 'Over the Counter' (OTC) drug products can be paid for with funds from your HSA or FSA. These include all Badger Sunscreens, Badger Diaper Cream, and Badger After-Bug Balm. The Badger website is not authorized to accept HSA or FSA cards for payment, however, you can purchase them yourself and submit your receipts to your Flexible Spending Account to be reimbursed for the FSA approved items. Sorry, we do not know of any online retailers that accept HSA or FSA cards for Badger products at this time.
