Pure Zinc Surf · Thick zinc in a tin

Pure Zinc Surf Tin SPF 50 Thick mineral zinc for surfers, in Tan or Bronze

Thick, tinted zinc in a 50g tin you can throw in your board bag. 25% non-nano zinc oxide is the only UV filter, for SPF 50 broad spectrum protection that stays put on your nose, cheeks and ears. 80 minutes water resistant, vegan and made in Australia.

$28.00

Free UK delivery on every order

Colour
  • SPF 50Broad spectrum UVA and UVB
  • 25% zincNon-nano zinc oxide, nothing else
  • 80 minutesWater resistant. Reapply after towelling
  • 50g tinReusable, made for your board bag
  • Free UK deliveryon every order
  • 60-day returnson unopened products
  • Secure checkoutpowered by Shopify

For your body

Pure Zinc SPF 50 · 100g

The same 25% non-nano zinc in a cream for everything your wetsuit leaves out.

$21.95

New to Pure Zinc?

How to use

Apply generously to dry skin about 20 minutes before you go out: a thick layer on your nose, cheekbones and the tops of your ears, and anywhere else the sun hits hardest. Smooth the edges so the tint blends in.

Reapply every 2 hours, and more often when you're sweating, swimming or after towelling. It's 80 minutes water resistant.

For external use only. Keep out of your eyes, and don't use on broken, damaged or diseased skin. Store below 30°C and out of direct sun.

Full ingredients

Active ingredient: Zinc Oxide (non-nano) 25% w/w, the only UV filter.

Made from minerals, organic plant extracts (including oils) and purified water, so the colour and consistency can vary slightly from tin to tin. What each ingredient does

Delivery and returns

Free UK delivery on every order.

Changed your mind? Send back unopened products within 60 days for a full refund. If anything arrives damaged, faulty or wrong, we'll replace or refund it. Read our refund policy

Pure Zinc Surf Tin SPF 50 · Tan Free UK delivery
  • 25% non-nano zinc oxide
  • SPF 50 broad spectrum
  • 80 minutes water resistant
  • Mineral only
  • Vegan
  • Reusable 50g tin
  • Made in Australia

The facts

Pure Zinc Surf Tin at a glance

Sun Zapper Pure Zinc Surf is a thick mineral zinc sunscreen in a 50g tin, with 25% non-nano zinc oxide as its only UV filter. It gives SPF 50 broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection, it's 80 minutes water resistant, and it comes in two tints: Tan and Bronze.

It's made for surfers, bodyboarders and anyone who spends long days on the water, where a thick layer of zinc stays put on the spots that burn first. It's vegan, made with organic ingredients, dermatologically tested and non-comedogenic, and it's made in Australia.

What each ingredient does

Product facts

Product
Thick mineral zinc sunscreen in a tin
SPF
50 (high protection)
Protection
Broad spectrum, UVA and UVB. PA++++ on the tin
UV filter
25% non-nano zinc oxide, the only UV filter
Water resistance
80 minutes. Reapply after swimming, towelling or sweating, and at least every 2 hours
Tints
Tan, Bronze
Size
50g reusable tin
Best for
Noses, cheeks and ears in the surf, and long days on the water
Skin
Dermatologically tested, non-comedogenic
Free from
Chemical UV filters, parabens, preservatives and artificial fragrance
Vegan
Yes, with organic ingredients
Made in
Australia

Always read the label before use.

sun zapper mineral zinc oxide sunscreen surf

Built for the board bag

Thick zinc, pocket-sized tin.

A zinc stick is great for a quick swipe. When you're out for hours, a thick layer of mineral zinc does the heavy lifting. Pure Zinc Surf packs 50g of it into a tough, reusable tin: more than three times the zinc of a 15g stick.

  • 25% non-nano zinc oxide, the only UV filter
  • Tan or Bronze tint that blends in
  • 50g reusable tin for your board bag
Where to apply: Nose, Cheekbones and Tops of ears NOSE CHEEKBONES TOPS OF EARS

How to use it

Where it goes, and how

Thick zinc works best as a solid layer on the spots that burn first.

  1. Step 1: Warm it up

    Rub a little between your fingertips. Thick zinc spreads more easily when it's warm.

  2. Step 2: Lay it on thick

    Cover your nose, cheekbones and the tops of your ears with a solid layer, then smooth the edges so the tint blends in.

  3. Step 3: Top it up

    Reapply every 2 hours, and more often after swimming, sweating or towelling.

Tip

Long session? Put it on 20 minutes before you paddle out, then check it whenever you come in. When it looks thin, reapply.

Compare

Which surf zinc is yours?

Every Sun Zapper zinc gives you SPF 50 or more for the spots that burn first. Here's how the tin compares with our sticks and our cream.

Which surf zinc is yours?
ProductNew Pure Zinc Surf Tin$28.00 Extreme Zinc Stick $15.95 White Zinc Stick $15.00 Pure Zinc SPF 50 From $21.95
FormatThick zinc in a tinTwist-up stickTwist-up stickCream
UV filtersZinc oxide only (25% non-nano)Zinc oxide + octinoxate, octocrylene and DHHBZinc oxide + 3 other filtersZinc oxide only (25% non-nano)
Water resistance80 minutes4 hours4 hours80 minutes
LookTan or Bronze tint7 shades, skin tones to brightsBold whiteLight tint, rubs in
Size50g15g12g100g and 240g
Best forLong sessions, mineral onlyBold colour, sport and the seaThe classic surf stripeFace and body, before and after
ShopYou're looking at itShop: Extreme Zinc StickShop: White Zinc StickShop: Pure Zinc SPF 50

Reviews

From the water

FAQs

Surf Tin questions

What's the difference between Tan and Bronze?

Same SPF 50 Pure Zinc formula, different tint. Tan is the lighter of the two; Bronze is deeper, for darker skin or a summer tan. Both are made to blend in once you smooth the edges.

Is it mineral only?

Yes. Its only UV filter is 25% non-nano zinc oxide. There are no chemical UV filters, parabens, preservatives or artificial fragrance.

How water resistant is it?

80 minutes. Reapply when you come in, after towelling, and at least every 2 hours. No sunscreen is waterproof.

Why choose the tin over a zinc stick?

For mineral-only protection and more zinc for your money. Our sticks combine zinc oxide with other UV filters, while the Surf Tin uses zinc oxide only, and its 50g is more than three times the zinc of a 15g Extreme stick. Sticks are quicker to swipe on and 4 hours water resistant, so plenty of surfers carry both.

Is it reef safe?

Its only UV filter is non-nano zinc oxide. It contains none of the chemical UV filters most often linked with coral reef damage, such as oxybenzone and octinoxate. There's no official reef safe test, so that's exactly what we mean when we say it.

Will it leave a white cast?

It's thick, tinted zinc, so you'll see it, especially as a solid layer. Smooth the edges and the Tan or Bronze tint helps it blend in. For a cream that rubs in, choose Pure Zinc SPF 50.

Is it good for sensitive skin?

It's dermatologically tested and non-comedogenic, with no parabens, preservatives or artificial fragrance. If your skin reacts easily, patch test a small area first.

Is it vegan?

Yes. It's vegan, made with organic ingredients, and we don't test on animals.

How should I store it?

Below 30°C and out of direct sun, so keep it in your bag rather than on the dashboard. Because it's made from minerals and plant extracts, the colour and texture can vary slightly from tin to tin.

How do I take it off?

Use an oil or balm cleanser to break it down, then wash with your usual cleanser.

Where is it made?

In Australia. Sun Zapper started on the Aussie coast in 1995 as a surf brand.

Made for

Long days on the water.

  • Surf and bodyboard

    Thick zinc for long sessions. Reapply when you come in. Surf sunscreen guide

  • SUP, foil and kayak

    Hours of glare off the water. Keep the tin in your dry bag and top up on shore.

  • Sailing and fishing

    UV bounces off the water all day, so cover your nose, cheeks and ears.

  • Lifeguards and beach days

    A tin in the beach bag for the spots that burn first.