Zinc Oxide offers the best range of broad spectrum protection of any UV filter, other than good clothing (which is why we also recommend for you to wear smart clothes and hat in the high sun hours). See Environmental Working Groups chart on relative performance of different filters in the UVA range.

In the early days of sunscreen making, manufacturers concentrated on the UVB spectrum of light, which is the one that causes sunburn. Scientists began to learn that protecting from UVA was just as important, and government regulatory agencies are working to catch up.

The AS/NZS 2604 Sunscreen Standard was updated in 2012 to include a “broad spectrum” definition and testing.

Sun Balm passes the AS/NZS 2604:2012 standard, which includes one of the highest broad spectrum standards in the world.