At LE RUB, we have never believed in taking shortcuts.
Not with protection. Not with texture. Not with ingredient quality. Not with the way our formulas feel on your skin. And not with the impact they may have on the world around us.
There are easier ways to make sunscreen. Easier ways to create a lighter texture. Easier ways to achieve a more invisible finish. Easier ways to simplify a formula, soften the standards, and get to market faster.
We chose not to.
From day one, our mineral sunscreens have been formulated with non-nano zinc oxide. Not because it was the easiest choice, but because it was the one that felt most aligned with what mineral protection should actually mean.
Here’s why that matters.
What is non-nano zinc oxide?
Zinc oxide is a mineral UV filter used in sunscreen to help protect the skin from both UVA and UVB rays.
The term non-nano refers to particle size. In simple terms, non-nano zinc oxide particles are larger than nano particles. Because of this larger particle size, non-nano zinc oxide is designed to remain on the surface of the skin, where it forms a protective mineral shield.
For us, this is the original promise of mineral SPF: protection that sits where it is meant to.
Why not nano zinc?
Nano zinc oxide is often used because it can make mineral sunscreen easier to formulate. It can help reduce the white cast associated with traditional mineral formulas and create a lighter, more transparent finish.
Those benefits are real, and they are one of the reasons nano zinc has become increasingly popular.
But at LE RUB, we take a more precautionary approach.
Nano zinc oxide uses much smaller particles, which raises different questions around long-term biological and environmental behaviour, including how these particles interact with the skin barrier and living systems over time.
Non-nano zinc oxide, by contrast, uses larger particles designed to remain on the surface of the skin.
When something is applied to the skin every day, and inevitably washed off into the world around us, we believe every ingredient choice deserves careful consideration.
We would rather not wait for every question to be settled.
The ocean matters too
Sunscreen does not only stay on the skin.
It can rinse off while swimming, showering, or simply moving through the world. That means SPF formulation is not just a skincare conversation. It is also an environmental one.
This is one of the reasons we choose non-nano zinc oxide. Larger non-nano particles are less likely to behave like nanoparticles in marine environments, where smaller particles may interact differently with aquatic organisms and living systems.
Several of the world’s most biodiverse marine destinations, from Hawaii and Palau to parts of the Florida Keys, have already restricted certain sunscreen filters because of concerns around coral reefs and marine life. Some local guidelines also specifically recommend non-nano mineral filters.
We made our choice before legislation made the conversation mainstream.
More than a filter choice
Our commitment to non-nano zinc oxide is part of a much wider formulation philosophy.
At LE RUB, every ingredient is chosen with intention. We believe daily sunscreen should be made with high-quality, carefully selected ingredients that feel beautiful on the skin while respecting the world around us.
That is why all LE RUB formulations are free from:
- Silicones
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- PEGs
- Phthalates
- Synthetic dyes
For us, “clean” is not about fear. It is about selectivity.
It means looking at every ingredient and asking whether it belongs in a formula designed to be worn every day. It means choosing sensorial ingredients with purpose. It means refusing shortcuts that make a formula easier, but not necessarily better.
Non-nano zinc oxide is one expression of that philosophy.
Our wider ingredient standards are another.
Why non-nano mineral SPF is harder to formulate
Non-nano zinc oxide is not the easy route.
Larger mineral particles can be more challenging to work with. They can feel heavier, appear more visible on the skin, and make it more difficult to create a refined, elegant texture.
That is why so much of our development process has focused on one question:
Can we create a non-nano mineral sunscreen that feels beautiful enough to wear every day?
The answer had to be yes.
Because sunscreen only works when people want to use it consistently. A formula can be technically impressive, but if it feels sticky, heavy, or chalky, it often ends up sitting unused on the shelf.
We wanted to change that.
The LE RUB approach
Our mineral sunscreens are built around non-nano zinc oxide, but the experience of the formula matters just as much as the filter itself.
We formulate for protection, but also for texture, finish, scent, and daily wearability. The goal is not simply to create sunscreen that works. It is to create sunscreen you actually want to apply every morning.
That means:
- Comfortable skin feel
- Beautiful finish
- Broad-spectrum mineral protection
- No heavy texture
- No chalky finish
- No unnecessary compromise
- A formula designed for daily use
It took years of development, hundreds of iterations, and countless rejected samples to get there.
But we were never interested in the easiest formula.
We were interested in the right one.
Non-nano zinc and sensitive skin
Mineral sunscreens are often preferred by people with sensitive skin because zinc oxide is generally well tolerated and works by forming a protective layer on the skin’s surface.
At LE RUB, this was another important part of our decision. We wanted our mineral SPF formulas to feel gentle, comfortable, and suitable for daily use, especially for those who struggle to find a sunscreen their skin agrees with.
Of course, every skin is different, but our commitment to non-nano zinc oxide reflects our broader approach to formulation: selective, considered, and skin-first.
Why we made the harder choice
Most brands start with what is easiest to formulate.
We started with what we believed in.
We believed mineral sunscreen could be protective without feeling heavy. We believed non-nano zinc could be elegant. We believed daily SPF should feel like skincare, not a chore.
So we did the hard work.
- No heavy texture
- No chalky finish
- No compromise on protection
- No silicones, parabens, sulfates, PEGs, phthalates, or synthetic dyes
Because if we are putting something on our skin every day, and washing it off into the world around us, we believe it is worth being selective about what is actually inside it.
That is why we choose non-nano zinc oxide.
And that is why we always will.
FAQ
What does non-nano zinc oxide mean in sunscreen?
Non-nano zinc oxide refers to zinc oxide particles that are larger than nanoparticles. In sunscreen, non-nano zinc oxide is designed to sit on the surface of the skin and help form a protective mineral shield against UVA and UVB rays.
What is the difference between nano and non-nano zinc oxide?
The main difference is particle size. Nano zinc oxide uses much smaller particles, which can make sunscreen easier to formulate with a lighter, more transparent finish. Non-nano zinc oxide uses larger particles that are designed to remain on the skin’s surface, forming a mineral shield.
Why does LE RUB use non-nano zinc oxide?
LE RUB uses non-nano zinc oxide because it aligns with our approach to mineral protection: effective, skin-conscious, and considered beyond the skin. It is harder to formulate beautifully, but we believe it is the right choice for daily mineral SPF.
Is non-nano zinc oxide good for sensitive skin?
Non-nano zinc oxide is often chosen for sensitive skin because it remains on the skin’s surface and is generally well tolerated. As with any skincare product, individual reactions can vary, but mineral sunscreens are often preferred by those with sensitive or reactive skin.
Why is non-nano zinc oxide harder to formulate?
Non-nano zinc oxide can be more difficult to make feel lightweight and invisible on the skin. Its larger particle size can create challenges with texture, blendability, and white cast, which is why elegant non-nano mineral formulas require careful development.
Is non-nano zinc oxide better for the ocean?
Non-nano zinc oxide is often preferred in reef-conscious sunscreen formulas because larger particles are less likely to behave like nanoparticles in marine environments. However, “reef-safe” is not a regulated standard, so we prefer to describe our approach as ocean-conscious and carefully considered.
Does non-nano zinc oxide protect against UVA and UVB rays?
Yes. Zinc oxide is a broad-spectrum mineral UV filter, which means it helps protect against both UVA and UVB rays when used correctly as part of a properly formulated sunscreen.
Does non-nano zinc oxide leave a white cast?
Non-nano zinc oxide can be more challenging to formulate without a white cast because of its larger particle size. At LE RUB, we spent years refining our mineral formulas to create a finish that feels elegant, blends beautifully, and is designed for daily wear.
Is mineral sunscreen better than chemical sunscreen?
Mineral and chemical sunscreens work differently, and both can provide effective sun protection when properly formulated. At LE RUB, we use non-nano zinc oxide in our mineral sunscreens because it reflects our commitment to skin-conscious, ocean-conscious daily SPF.
Are LE RUB sunscreens silicone-free?
Yes. All LE RUB formulations are free from silicones, as well as parabens, sulfates, PEGs, phthalates, and synthetic dyes. Our formulas are created with carefully selected ingredients designed to feel beautiful on the skin while staying true to our clean formulation standards.
What does “clean sunscreen” mean to LE RUB?
To LE RUB, clean sunscreen means more than leaving certain ingredients out. It means making considered formulation choices from the very beginning, from our use of non-nano zinc oxide in our mineral sunscreens to our commitment to formulas free from silicones, parabens, sulfates, PEGs, phthalates, and synthetic dyes. For us, clean means selective, high-quality, and made with daily use in mind.
Discover our mineral SPF formulas
Formulated with non-nano zinc oxide, designed for daily protection, and refined for a beautiful skin finish.
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