Zinc Mineral Lotion: Sheer Sylvan Suncare

A lotion-parasol for summer skin!

This mineral mantle blends sun-harmonizing botanicals with the protective power of zinc, creating a gossamer sheath for your skin for long, languid days of summer play. The Living Libations Everybody Loves the Sunshine Zinc Lotion shares the same sun-harmonizing formula as our original Everybody Loves the Sunshine serum, with the additional benefit of mineral protection. Formulated with 20% non-nanoparticle and uncoated zinc oxide, the highest quality for mineral suncare, these essential characteristics ensure a light and effective zinc that is then swirled into opulent oils, pure plant pigments, and exacting essences that offer a sylvan sanctuary for the skin. This suncare is a bouquet of sun-synergizing botanicals, replenishing pigments, and zinc oxide minerals mixed into silky, ceramide-rich oils and essences with sun-friendly flavonoids all coalescing to provide a zinc parasol of plant and mineral protection. 

DIRECTIONS

Apply onto skin. Be sure to apply a generous amount to exposed skin. Reapply as often as needed. Reapplication frequency will vary based on individual skin type, UV index, water activities, sweat, and geographical location. This Zinc Beach Balm is a mineral mantle for melasma and hyperpigmentation patches that need extra shielding on sunny days. It is effective for a clear-looking complexion, may be used under makeup, and is also enjoyed as a “blurring tint.” It offers an option for UV interplay, yet it is not a sunblock, nor is it a sunscreen. It is reef-safe and gentle for sensitive skin.

ALL ORGANIC INGREDIENTS

This organic formula begins by fusing the rich, wholesome oils of desert Jojoba with tropical Coco-crème, hearty Seabuckthorn berry, and fresh-pressed Red Raspberry Seed, and Tamanu Berry. Then we saturate this sun-soaked elixir with Schizandra, Immortelle, Carrot Seed, Rose Otto, Cape-Chamomile, Frankincense, Ginger, Lavender, Turmeric, Thyme linalool, Sandalwood, Geranium, Calendula, and Palmarosa essential oils.

Jojoba, Simmondsia chinensis
Singing with a hearty 96% ceramides, glorious golden Jojoba is the seminal supplier of sumptuous ceramides to populations of parched skin. Ceramides make up a key part of our skin’s extra cellular matrix that protects and plumps our skin. The substantive sum of ceramides in Jojoba oil is very similar to those in the skin, and acts to balance sebum and maintain moisture. Ceramides act like a magnetic-moisture that bonds, protects, and plumps to truly lock in moisture to the lipid barrier. It has an unparalleled ability to moisturize the skin, balance oil production, deep clean pores, and create long-lasting conditioning effects that soften skin to perfect silk. It is packed with peptides and lipids and contains the highest levels of phenolic compounds found in nature, along with antioxidants and all soluble forms of vitamin E.

Cold Pressed Coconut Oil, Cocos nucifera
Our pure, pristine Virgin Coconut oil satiates the skin, offering a manna of moisture and resilience. Unlike refined, fractionated oils, our raw, organic, virgin extract is rich in lauric acid, an antimicrobial medium-chain fatty acid that serves as a natural defense against blemish-causing bacteria. While industrial myths often label coconut oil as comedogenic, this stems from limited 1989 rabbit-ear assays; in human dermal application, its high stability and antibacterial profile serve to soothe atopic dermatitis and protect the moisture barrier. When formulated with quality botanicals, it smoothes the appearance of fine lines while fortifying the skin’s innate immunity.

Zinc Oxide, Zinc Oxide
An amazing mineral that is inherently a broad-spectrum deflector and protector. Topically, its mechanism of action forms a physical barrier on the skin's surface that primarily absorbs, yet also scatters and reflects, UV light. This simple and time-tested compound is safe for skin, historically used as an anti-inflammatory for common conditions like acne and diaper rashes. The FDA has deemed it Generally Recognized as Safe and Effective (GRASE), and importantly, it is photostable, meaning it does not degrade when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Formulated with non-nanoparticle, uncoated, laboratory-grade zinc oxide, the purest form available. The molecular size of these zinc particles is bigger than the nano-particle version, and too large to penetrate or be absorbed by the skin’s outer layer (the stratum corneum). The cleanest quality is uncoated zinc as coated zinc oxide is made with a synthetic silicone coating. Unlike nanoparticle minerals and chemical sunscreens, our zinc oxide does not interfere with the skin’s natural respiration, ensuring maximum skin vitality.

Raspberry Seed, Rubus idaeus
This elegant emollient lavishes the skin with the sumptuous super-smoothing oil expressed from the succulent seeds of red raspberries. Differing from the cold-pressed seed oil, our special supercritical extract version is all that and more! This distillation process delivers twice the regenerative sterols and much higher amounts of naturally occurring antioxidants, like ellagic acid. Fortifying phospholipids gives this extract stability, and it also has exceptionally high levels of alpha and gamma tocopherols (vitamin E) in active free form, pro-vitamin A content, coteries of carotenoids, and a nourishing dose of omega 3. The faint fruity aroma and seriously silky viscosity suture both skin and senses, and this concentrated chrism is especially adept at satisfying all skin.

Seabuckthorn Berry, Hippophae rhamnoides
Brilliant Seabuckthorn is a supercritical extract of the succulent berries. This shrub is heralded for its bright berries that create shiny hair and smooth skin—its botanical namesake is derived from the Greek hippos (horse) and phaos (to shine). This beautiful berry oil sends its vibrant lipids deep into the dermis, diminishing imbalances from the inside out. Each drop brims with 190 bioactive compounds, including a complete spectrum of omega fatty acids 3, 6, 7, and 9. This rare chemistry is defined by high concentrations of palmitoleic acid (Omega-7), a vital component of skin sebum that supports cellular regeneration alongside a dense array of carotenoids and phytosterols that act as biological quenchers for oxidative stress. This bright orange essence is a genuine replenisher; it clarifies the complexion by relaxing redness and paring puffiness through its placating pigments—specifically beta-carotene and lycopene—that shield and nourish living skin.

Tamanu Berry, Calophyllum inophyllum
A benevolent tropical berry, revered as "Green Gold" throughout the Pacific Islands for centuries, Tamanu is far more than just a skin elixir; it is a living legend. This precious oil, once sacredly grown near temples and used by ancient islanders to protect against sun, wind, and sea, swiftens the emergence of new skin cells. Tamanu famously fades the appearance of scars, both old and new, standing as a potent anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial ally, echoing its timeless use as a healing balm for wounds and skin concerns.

Schizandra Berry, Schisandra chinensis
Silky and rejuvenating, Schizandra berry clarifies the complexion, and amps up elasticity. Schizandra also helps skin retain its own moisture levels, assuring you an endlessly youthful glow.

Immortelle, Helichrysum italicum
Everlasting Immortelle is the "Sun of Gold" (from the Greek helios chrysos) and a cornerstone of medical aromatherapy. Wildcrafted on the rocky, sun-drenched cliffs of Corsica, this essence is an alchemical masterpiece of cellular-resurfacing. A coveted pillar of luxury skincare, Immortelle brims with unique italidiones. These singular beta-diketone molecules, found nowhere else in nature, are the phytochemical erasers that abate the appearance of scars, spots, melasma, and fine lines. Nectarous neryl acetate encourages surface integrity and tonal-clarity. Named 'Everlasting' because its blossoms retain their golden hue long after being picked, reflecting the enduring, dew-drenched vitality it restores to the skin.

Carrot Seed, Daucus carota
Clarifying Carrot Seed, distilled from wild Queen Anne’s Lace, anoints the skin with replenishing grace. This complexion choreographer is scientifically distinguished by its high concentration of carotol and daucol, rare sesquiterpene alcohols that act as molecular messengers for the skin. These bioactive constituents communicate with the basal layers to harmonize the skin’s natural regenerative rhythm and support the appearance of textural renewal. This makes Carrot Seed a superlative botanical vulnerary for smoothing the architectural landscape of the skin, including fine lines, lingering marks, and persistent imbalances. As a clarifying tonic, Carrot Seed works in pitch-perfect ratios to balance the skin’s sebum, regardless of its starting state. It functions like living lace for the face: delicate in feel, yet incredibly strong in its ability to fortify the lipid barrier

Rose Otto, Rosa damascena
Resplendent Rose Otto is the distilled "Heart’s Halo" and the beloved skin-salve of antiquity. Prized by the Persians, Romans, Egyptians, and Greeks long before modernity, this essence was sought for skincare, perfumery, and spirit for a scent said to be the "fragrant wake from the flutter of angels’ wings." Avicenna, the 10th-century physician-philosopher who thankfully perfected the art of rose distillation, lauded this essence in his Canon of Medicine for its ability to "strengthen the skin’s nature" and clear the complexion. As the highest vibrational essence in the botanical kingdom, Rose Otto offers an elegant, alchemical synergy that enhances dermal resiliency and elasticity. Redolent in fragrant floral alcohols and over 300 molecular compounds, it acts as a timeless tonic for microstimulating the skin, cooling the appearance of redness and soothing capillaries. As 17th-century physician Nikolas Culpeper wrote, Rose Otto "helps strengthen the heart, physically and emotionally," a resilience that reveals a glow

Cape Chamomile, Eriocephalus punctulatus
Captivating Cape Chamomile emits mesmerizing molecules of comfort and care. This essence is steam-distilled from the fluffy-flowering tops grown wild in the Cape of Good Hope, capturing an oil with an enchanting aquamarine hue. Cape Chamomile's solace and skin salvation stems from a unique constellation of chemical components: like its European cousin, German Chamomile, it contains compounds that transform into chamazulene during distillation, providing its signature light blue hue and heat-quenching capability. What sets the Cape variety apart is its copious concentration of rare esters—specifically isobutyl angelate and isoamyl angelate. These "angelic" esters, combined with structural sesquiterpenes, create a distinctively sweet, fruity, and ethereal-floral fragrance that surrenders the skin to a state of restorative calm. Cape chamomile soothes sunned skin and is just what the sun gods ordered after a day at the beach.

Frankincense, Boswellia carterii
Frankincense is la pièce de résistance of skincare! It relaxes the appearance of redness, firms the skin, a timeless tonic for infusing every skin cell. Famous for reducing the appearance of scars and age spots. Its boswellic acids and regenerating monoterpenes make it exceptionally good to harmonize skin with the sun. This ancient elixir improves skin tone, balances oil production, dissuades dryness, lightens hyperpigmentation, fades stretch marks, and soothes scars. It also improves skin structure, encouraging elastin and collagen.

Sandalwood, Santalum album
Steadfast and sensual, Sandalwood, is one of the earth’s most revered skin tonics, this heaven-scented essence is distilled from the heartwood of the aromatic tree. Sandalwood is the perfect solution for sun-drenched skin that is exquisitely suffusing with magnificent moisture. A staple of natural hair and skin care since antiquity, its active compounds, including alpha santalol and beta santalol, uniquely show an ability to inhibit abnormal cells and hasten skin repair, helping to reverse the damage of blemishes and gracefully replenish cellular renewal.

Ginger, Zingiber officinale
Generous Ginger encourages a clear complexion, revitalizes the appearance of collagen, and invigorates the skin's natural radiance. Adding antioxidant content for sun-soaked skin.

Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia
Luxurious Lavender is an after-sun lullaby that lends restorative grace to sun-drenched skin.

Geranium, Pelargonium graveolens
With generous amounts of geraniol, Geranium firms and fortifies the skin’s appearance. A balancing beauty for after-sun care, Geranium harmonizes moisture levels and cools the appearance of redness. It encourages a steady, glowing complexion by uplifting the skin’s tone and supporting overall dermal resilience when the skin has been active in the heat.

Sweet Thyme, Thymus vulgaris linalool
This loving linalool variety is a sun-soaked herb that thrives in high-UV Mediterranean climates, distilling the sun's energy into a gentle botanical essence. It brings this solar-resilience to the skin as a purifying, sweet essence that cleanses the pores and calms the complexion, remaining exceptionally kind and soothing to sun-sensitive skin.

Turmeric, Curcuma longa
Treasured Turmeric is a tonic of golden-goodness for skin. Through supercritical extraction, all of Turmeric’s lipophilic (oil-loving) compounds are captured from the plant’s roots. This special extraction process captures much more of the aromatic volatile oils, lipids, and pigments than a typical powdered herb.

Calendula, Calendula officinalis
This most potent extract of mirthful marigolds concentrates the juicy constituents of colorful carotenoids, beneficial plant waxes, and thick phytosterols making it far juicier than an infusion or tincture. This supercritical extract is a superhero for skin in and after sun with its pleasing pigments that calm and caress the skin to feel its best.

Palmarosa, Cymbopogon martini
Pleasant Palmarosa is a formidable skin rejuvenator rich in mighty monoterpenols, emollient esters, loving linalool, and generous geraniols that poise pores and skin tone. Palmarosa smooths skin and is highly regarded for bringing balance to blemish prone and dry skin.

All ingredients are organic and third-party tested to ensure 100% purity. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: EVERYBODY LOVES THE SUNSHINE ZINC LOTION

What is Everybody Loves the Sunshine?
Everybody Loves the Sunshine is a sanctuary of nourishing and sun-harmonizing botanical oils for body and face when soaking in some sun, and for after fun in the sun to preserve the juiciness of your tan. It contains silky, ceramide-rich oils with fourteen active essences that are especially adept at synchronizing the sun’s rays with our skin while providing a light, verdant veil. High concentrations of sun-friendly flavonoids and carotenoids lend pure pigments to these robust essences that act as regenerative replenishers to keep the skin smooth and strong.

Everybody Loves the Sunshine is a delightful daily serum for every inch of skin – including the face. Synergizing skin to the sun’s rays for UV interplay, yet it is not a sunblock, nor is it a sunscreen. It is the golden tanning oil of your dreams as you bask in making melanin.

What does Everybody Loves the Sunshine with Zinc do?
Everybody Loves the Sunshine with Zinc lotion has 20% zinc oxide along with all of the sun-harmonizing botanical oils in Everybody Loves the Sunshine. This mineral-plant potion keeps sun-kissed skin cool during days of outdoor play.

In this formula, zinc oxide is suspended in sun-loving cold-pressed botanical oils and pigments, along with essences that nurture skin replenishment. We combine zinc, a natural mineral, with high concentrations of sun-friendly extracts to give your skin an optimal option for sunny outdoor days.

Everybody Loves the Sunshine with Zinc is child-safe, reef-safe, and a sensible option for sensitive and acneic skin. It can be used daily on the face and body.

Does Everybody Loves the Sunshine with Zinc have an SPF? Is it a sunblock or sunscreen?
We do not classify or label Everybody Loves the Sunshine with Zinc as an SPF product, a sunblock, or a sunscreen. It is important to note that SPF is a regulatory claim achieved through specific testing protocols for active ingredients of synthetic chemical filters.

While our product is not classified with an SPF value, it is formulated with 20% non-nanoparticle zinc oxide. This concentration is well within the generally recognized effective range for mineral sun protection (15% to 25%), and the maximum allowed zinc oxide percentage in the US for sun protection products is 25%. Zinc oxide functions by forming a physical barrier on the skin's surface that primarily absorbs, but also scatters and reflects, UV light. This differs from synthetic chemical sunscreen ingredients (e.g., oxybenzone or avobenzone), which primarily work by absorbing UV rays and converting them into heat. Our formulation prioritizes pure, effective botanicals alongside non-nano zinc oxide for comprehensive sun harmonization.

What are the concerns regarding synthetic chemical UV filters?
Synthetic chemical UV filters work by absorbing ultraviolet (UV) rays and converting them into heat. While effective, some concerns arise regarding their broader impact on skin health and protection balance.

Firstly, these filters efficiently block UVB rays, which are the primary wavelengths responsible for many beneficial biological functions, including stimulating Vitamin D synthesis in the skin. Secondly, a more significant concern for some formulations is their potential for unbalanced protection. They may block UVB effectively (preventing sunburn) while offering less robust or photostable protection across the entire UVA spectrum. This can lead to what is known as "isolated UVA" exposure.

Isolated UVA radiation penetrates deeper into the skin and is a major contributor to skin dysregulation, and DNA damage (indirectly, through free radical generation), and skin cancer, often without the immediate warning sign of sunburn. This imbalance of protection means users may unknowingly accumulate significant UVA damage. These filters also often contain ingredients that can be controversial for side effects of skin absorption, negatively impacting immune and endocrine, along with the environment.

What is zinc oxide and is it safe to use on the skin?
Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a top-tier, widely used mineral that inherently provides broad-spectrum protection. Its mechanism of action is that zinc oxide works by forming a physical barrier on the skin's surface that primarily absorbs, but also scatters and reflects, UV light.

Yes, it is safe for skin and has been historically used as an anti-inflammatory for common conditions like acne and diaper rashes. The FDA has deemed it Generally Recognized as Safe and Effective (GRASE), and importantly, it does not degrade when exposed to ultraviolet radiation.

For Living Libations, the best type of zinc is the kind that we use in our formulation: a non-nanoparticle, uncoated, laboratory-grade zinc oxide, as it is the purest form of zinc available. The molecular size of this type of zinc particle is too large to penetrate and be absorbed by the skin’s outer layer (the stratum corneum). We prefer uncoated zinc oxide as coated zinc oxide is made with a synthetic silicone coating (triethoxycaprylylsilane). Unlike nanoparticle minerals and chemical sunscreens, our zinc oxide does not interfere with the skin’s respiration.

Why use essential oils for suncare?
Essential oils are the distillates of plants that contain the vital essences of their parent plant matter. The essential oils and lipid-oils we use in our Everybody Loves the Sunshine suncare gently harmonize the skin soak in sun rays. Formulated with sun-friendly flavonoids and carotenoids, they lend rich colors to some of these robust essences that act as antioxidants to keep the skin looking fresh and radiant. It is important to note that only a handful of essential oils are photosensitizing, and these are deliberately excluded from our sun care formulas, ensuring complete sun harmony.

Many scientists are interested in botanical essences these days, and a few are conducting research on how botanical oils interact with skin in the sun. We invite you to explore some of the research on sun, botanical oils, and the skin for yourself:

Botanical oils and the sun: “In vitro Sun Protection Factor Determination of Herbal Oils used in Cosmetics,” Pharmacognosy Research, Vol 2, Issue 1, Jan-Feb, 2010

Tamanu Oil and the sun: “Cytoprotective effect against UV-induced DNA damage and oxidative stress: role of new biological UV filter,” European journal of pharmaceutical sciences, March 2007

Raspberry Seed Oil and the sun: “Characteristics of Raspberry Seed Oil,” Food Chemistry, 69:2000.

Is Everybody Loves the Sunshine + Everybody Loves the Sunshine with Zinc reef and ocean safe?
Our zinc oxide is reef-safe and ocean life safe. Our botanical oils are all natural, organic, and biodegradable, and they are also safe to use in the ocean.

When did people start using minerals for sun protection?
The concept of using minerals for sun protection dates back millennia, with ancient civilizations grinding and applying natural substances like rice bran, plant extracts, clays, and colored earth pigments for skin shielding. Zinc oxide, in particular, has a long history of medicinal use, appearing in Indian medicinal practices (Pushpanjan) as early as 800-500 BC for skin protection.

Its more modern use as a visible "sunblock" began in the mid-20th century. In the 1940s, zinc oxide was widely recognized for its UV-reflecting properties and became a component in early commercial sunscreens. By the 1960s and 1970s, it was famously sported by lifeguards and surfers on their noses and faces as a thick, white, physical barrier against the sun's reflective rays. Zinc in these days was a heavy, white paste, yet its effectiveness was undeniable.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2), while discovered in 1821, became widely adopted in sunscreens from the 1980s onwards, as mass-marketing of sunscreens spread. In the 2000s, the development of nano-sized particles for both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide further commercialized mineral sunscreens, allowing for a clearer, less visible application. However, we now know these nano-particles are too small and reactive for our standards of purity and dermal integrity.

Do Living Libations suncare products use titanium dioxide?
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) are both mineral (physical) UV filters approved by regulatory bodies like the FDA and Health Canada as "generally recognized as safe and effective" (GRASE) for use in sunscreens. However, there are nuances that lead the purists to prefer zinc oxide, particularly in light of certain concerns regarding TiO2:

One primary concern with titanium dioxide, especially its nanoparticle forms (which are used to reduce the white cast), is its photocatalytic activity. Upon exposure to UV light, TiO2 can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) or free radicals. These free radicals have the potential to damage skin cells and DNA, and could theoretically accelerate photoaging or cell disturbance. While some manufacturers coat TiO2 particles to mitigate this effect, the production of these radicals is an inherent property, and ongoing research continues to explore long-term implications.

In contrast, zinc oxide remains the preferred standalone mineral filter for its comprehensive broad-spectrum protection, superior photostability, and its natural role in biology. Zinc oxide’s skin-soothing compatibility is widely recognized for being gentler and non-irritating, making it highly suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or reactive skin, and is the only active sunscreen ingredient approved for infants under six months old. It also possesses anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe skin conditions. Titanium dioxide, however, does not offer these additional benefits, and its nanoparticles may raise concerns for delicate tissues.

While nano-sized mineral particles offer a cosmetically clear finish, Living Libations opts for purity in our sun care. Concerns regarding the potential for nanoparticles to penetrate the skin's protective barrier and for titanium dioxide's photocatalytic activity to generate free radicals under UV exposure, lead us to choose non-nanoized zinc oxide. These larger particles remain on the skin's surface, providing superior broad-spectrum protection by reflecting and scattering UV rays without interference. This ensures maximum UV defense and skin vitality, honoring your skin's natural respiration and safeguarding its integrity with unparalleled purity.

Does the Zinc Oxide give skin a white sheen?
Yes, it can. Even with the addition of botanical pigments, the zinc in Everybody Loves the Sunshine with Zinc Lotion will give skin of all tones a white sheen. However, many clients with a full range of skin tones embrace the visible protection of zinc. Many also use Everybody Loves the Sunshine with Zinc as a sheer, tinted moisturizer. If you are not fond of the sheen or find it tricky to work with, you can minimize it by placing some of the product in your palm, rubbing your hands together, and then applying it to the face and body. If this is still unsuitable, you can also add a touch of makeup pigment that matches your skin tone for custom tinting.

Are there other sun care options?
Yes! You always have wonderful options for sun harmonization. You can, of course, use either of our Everybody Loves the Sunshine, or simply seek shade, which offers abundant infrared benefits. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat or light, protective clothing also provides excellent portable shade. Nadine also offers a wealth of information, with many articles and podcast interviews dedicated to how to enjoy the sunshine and have it beautifully benefit your skin.