When we launched Le Rub, our mission wasn’t just to make sunscreen. It was to create daily-use sun care that felt good, performed beautifully, and aligned with our deeper values around quality, health and sustainability.
Our early SPF formulations were built entirely around non-nano zinc oxide — a physical UV filter known for its broad-spectrum protection, excellent skin compatibility, and more favorable environmental profile.
But here’s the key: not all zinc oxide is the same.
- Traditional zinc oxide can still pose health risks. When the particles are too small (nano-sized), they can be absorbed into the body through our pores. That’s why we only use non-nano zinc oxide, which stays on the surface of the skin rather than penetrating it.
- Unlike some chemical filters, non-nano zinc oxide does not disrupt hormones and is considered one of the safest options in sun care — both for people’s health and for the planet.
Health and Sustainability Came First
We chose non-nano mineral filters because they allowed us to stay true to two fundamental principles:
1) Human health: We avoid any ingredient known for endocrine disruption, high absorption rates, or long-term health concerns.
2) Environmental responsibility: Non-nano zinc oxide is reef-friendly and biodegradable. It doesn't harm coral reefs or bioaccumulate in marine life.
This commitment has shaped everything we've made so far. But we also listened to feedback. Some of you loved the clean, nourishing feel of our mineral sunscreens—but still wished for something lighter, more transparent, and easier to apply all over, especially on the body.
That’s when we revisited the conversation.
The Next Chapter
We knew we could never compromise on our core values—but we also knew that the landscape had changed. In recent years, a new generation of chemical UV filters has emerged—ones that offer the same high performance but without the red flags linked to older formulations.
After extensive research, we made a decision: to expand our range using only next-generation filters that are just as safe, intentional, and clean as our mineral base.
Meet the Filters in Sunscreen Mist and Sunscreen Oil
Our new Sunscreen Oil SPF50 and Sunscreen Mist SPF50 use an advanced complex of new-generation transparent chemical filters including:
- Tinosorb S – Broad-spectrum, ultra-stable, and non-irritating with nearly zero skin penetration.
- Uvinul A Plus – A modern UVA filter with low absorption and no hormonal activity.
- Uvinul T 150 – An efficient UVB filter with extremely low systemic absorption
- Uvasorb HEB – Lightweight, photostable, and gentle on sensitive skin.
These filters are:
- Non-hormone disrupting
- Tested and approved by the EU’s SCCS for safety and health
- Reef-safe
- Negligible in systemic absorption
In short: they meet or exceed the same high standards we’ve always held ourselves to.
A Natural Evolution
The introduction of next-generation chemical filters marks an exciting step forward for Le Rub — not a departure from our values, but a deepening of them. It reflects who we are: a brand that listens, learns, and evolves, always in pursuit of formulas that are safer, smarter, and more inclusive.
By expanding our range, we’re making our products easier to use, more versatile, and better suited to more skin tones, preferences, and lifestyles — without ever compromising on safety or environmental responsibility.
This is what better (sun)care looks like: thoughtful, transparent, and always evolving.
