Sunscreen is one of those things almost everyone agrees on: you need it. What gets discussed less is what's actually inside. Not all sunscreens work the same way, and that difference is bigger than it looks at first glance.
It's not just about the skin. It's also about what ends up in the water when you swim, and what the body absorbs on a daily basis.
What's in most conventional sunscreens
The majority of sunscreens on the market use chemical UV filters: oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, octisalate. These filters absorb UV radiation and convert it to heat. Sounds technically harmless.
In 2019, the US FDA published a study showing that common chemical UV filters reach measurable concentrations in the bloodstream after just one application. The long-term effects on the body are still being studied. What is established: they are absorbed, not just left on the skin's surface. [Study: JAMA 2019] [EWG Overview]
Then there's the environmental side. Oxybenzone and octinoxate are already banned in Hawaii, Palau, and Bonaire because they demonstrably damage coral reefs and accumulate in marine organisms. This isn't fringe science, it's the basis for national legislation. Researchers at Stanford University showed that corals themselves metabolise oxybenzone into a toxic compound that destroys them under sunlight. [Stanford] [Smithsonian]
When you swim in summer, whatever is on your skin goes into the water with you. [NOAA]
Regulatory pressure is also growing in Europe: in 2025 the European Commission confirmed octinoxate as an endocrine-active substance, meaning it can interfere with the hormonal system. [EU Commission]
How mineral zinc oxide works differently
Zinc oxide works on a fundamentally different principle. It doesn't absorb into the skin. Instead it sits on the surface as a protective layer, reflecting UV radiation, like thousands of tiny mirrors, immediately after application, with no waiting time needed.
The key distinction: chemical filters need to be absorbed by the skin to work. Mineral zinc oxide works at the surface.
That has concrete consequences:
- No absorption into the bloodstream
- No impact on coral reefs
- Immediate protection after application
- Well-tolerated for sensitive skin
- Broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB
RINGANA uses nanoparticle-free zinc oxide. Nanoparticles are particles below 100 nm that could theoretically penetrate deeper into the skin. Nanoparticle-free means the particles stay where they belong: at the surface. Peer-reviewed research confirms that non-nano zinc oxide stays within the stratum corneum and does not penetrate deeper. [EWG Nanoparticles] [NIH/PubMed]
The RINGANA sun care line
RINGANA formulates its entire sun care range exclusively with mineral zinc oxide. No synthetic UV filters, no oxybenzone, no octinoxate.
FRESH sunscreen SPF 25
The new body formula. Mineral, nanoparticle-free zinc oxide as the only UV filter. Astaxanthin counteracts UV-induced oxidative stress. Turmeric root extract brings antioxidant protection, licorice root extract works against UV-related pigmentation and early signs of skin ageing. 3% glycerin keeps the skin moisturised during sun exposure.
The texture spreads effortlessly, is water-resistant, and leaves a velvety-light finish. For outdoors, at the beach, during sport.
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FRESH sunscreen face SPF 30
The face version, COSMOS-certified, formulated for daily use. Matte finish, no greasy feel. Mung bean extract provides additional protection against UV rays, blue light, and infrared light. Bisabolol and licorice root extract calm skin redness. Elder kernel oil and squalane nourish, hyaluronic acid provides moisture.
This is the one I use every morning, not just on holiday days.
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FRESH after sun & tan booster
Not a sunscreen, but a meaningful part of any summer routine. Works in two directions: before and after sun exposure. Buriti oil protects against UV-related stress, resurrection plant calms sun-stressed skin, ectoin nourishes. A marine actives complex from Codium tomentosum algae supports natural skin regeneration and activates vitamin B5 production directly in the skin.
Erythrulose and red algae extract create a light natural tan, even without direct sun exposure.
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FRESH lip balm nude SPF 15
Lips get forgotten in every SPF routine. Mineral zinc oxide protects the delicate lip skin against UVA and UVB. Hyaluronic acid and peptides plump and smooth fine lines. 6% glycerin, ectoin, and sodium PCA deliver long-lasting moisture. Squalane, a ceramide complex, and Cupuaçu butter protect against moisture loss.
A subtle nude tone that works across a wide range of skin tones.
See product →CAPS protect: from the inside
Sunscreen on the skin is the foundation. What most people aren't aware of: you can also support the body's own antioxidant defence against UV radiation from the inside.
CAPS protect are supplement capsules with Polypodium leucatomos (a standardised fern leaf extract with antioxidant properties), astaxanthin from microalgae, Red Orange Complex from blood oranges, bilberry and Maqui berry extracts, plus lutein and zeaxanthin for eye health. Vitamin C from acerola fruit powder provides additional support against oxidative stress.
Can be used year-round, not just in summer. Especially relevant for people who spend a lot of time outdoors or many hours daily in front of screens, since protection against blue light is also factored in here.
CAPS protect are not a replacement for sunscreen. But they complement protection at a level a cream cannot reach.
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