CLEAN + CONSCIOUS AWARDS 2026 PROUDLY PARTNERED WITH
Smidge On-the-go SPF 40 Sunscreen – Smidge Suncare
FINALIST
Best Natural Sunscreen 2026
$21.00
Smidge On-the-go SPF 40 Sunscreen is a lightweight, waterless, broad-spectrum sunscreen. Safe for kids and sensitive skin. Compact and travel-ready. Requires only a small amount per use and lasts 2-3 times longer. Every purchase funds ocean conservation.
Clean Ingredients / Materials
Formulated with excellent clean ingredients. SPF 40. Suitable for babies and children. Non nano zinc. Vegan. Plastic free. Cruelty free. Fragrance free.
Ethical Practices
Smidge Suncare uses ethically-sourced ingredients, including shea butter produced exclusively from shea kernels in a segregated supply chain, fully traceable to the AAK Kolo Nafaso direct sourcing program in West Africa. The products are vegan, cruelty free and are manufactured at The Cosmetic Company in Auckland, New Zealand. Independent SPF and broad spectrum testing to AS/NZS 2604:2021 was also conducted at Dermatest Eurofins in Australia, with lab results publicly available on the website.
Sustainable Practices
Smidge Suncare donates 2% of revenue annually to ocean conservation and education, supporting Love Rimurimu's marine habitat restoration programme in Wellington and Blue Cradle's Ocean Literacy Programme. Products are packaged in plastic-free aluminium tins and shipped in FSC-certified mailers. The formula contains zero water, reducing product weight for shipping. Shea butter used is Ecocert COSMOS Approved. The brand also uses a hybrid work vehicle.
Social Impact
Smidge Suncare sources shea butter through the AAK Kolo Nafaso direct sourcing program in West Africa and offers sunscreen at charity rates (50% off recommended price) for registered charities or schools. In March 2026, the brand is supporting Endometriosis Awareness Month with a product donation valued at over $500. Smidge also established a Mana Wāhine Programme, enabling two wāhine Māori mentees to complete an on-the-job personal development and skills course.
Product Reviews by Experts
Natural sunscreens can often feel thick, greasy or difficult to rub in, but this one was surprisingly lightweight and comfortable on the skin. It applied easily and didn’t leave me feeling sticky. Of course I love the aluminium tin alternative to plastic sunscreen bottles! I was impressed by how deeply sustainability seems to be built into the brand. The plastic-free aluminium tins, waterless formulation, ethically sourced ingredients and support for local New Zealand businesses all show the founders consider their environmental and social impact across many areas of the business.
I love the tin – it’s a great size to fit in your hand to apply and to travel with. A little goes a long way too, which is really cost effective and space effective (don’t need to travel with heaps of it on you). I admire their efforts to not only create a sunscreen without the plastic packaging, but to think carefully about where the ingredients are sourced too. I know that’s really hard to do with products like sunscreen! 2% of revenue is a massive effort to donate to ocean conservation and as a small business, I really respect that.
This versatile sunscreen is such a clever little product. I love that it comes in a travel-friendly aluminium tin (which is infinitely recyclable) and can be used on the face, lips and backs of the hands. As someone whose lips burn easily, I know this little tin will be coming everywhere with me. The balm-like texture glides on beautifully and stays neatly contained when opening and closing the tin, without any mess. It provides excellent sun protection without leaving a white cast. There are lots of thoughtful initiatives woven throughout the business, from supporting ocean conservation and education to mentoring Māori women and helping schools and charities access their products.
Smidge On-the-go SPF 40 Sunscreen – Smidge Suncare
$21.00
Natural sunscreens can often feel thick, greasy or difficult to rub in, but this one was surprisingly lightweight and comfortable on the skin. It applied easily and didn’t leave me feeling sticky. Of course I love the aluminium tin alternative to plastic sunscreen bottles! I was impressed by how deeply sustainability seems to be built into the brand. The plastic-free aluminium tins, waterless formulation, ethically sourced ingredients and support for local New Zealand businesses all show the founders consider their environmental and social impact across many areas of the business. I love the tin – it’s a great size to fit in your hand to apply and to travel with. A little goes a long way too, which is really cost effective and space effective (don’t need to travel with heaps of it on you). I admire their efforts to not only create a sunscreen without the plastic packaging, but to think carefully about where the ingredients are sourced too. I know that’s really hard to do with products like sunscreen! 2% of revenue is a massive effort to donate to ocean conservation and as a small business, I really respect that. This versatile sunscreen is such a clever little product. I love that it comes in a travel-friendly aluminium tin (which is infinitely recyclable) and can be used on the face, lips and backs of the hands. As someone whose lips burn easily, I know this little tin will be coming everywhere with me. The balm-like texture glides on beautifully and stays neatly contained when opening and closing the tin, without any mess. It provides excellent sun protection without leaving a white cast. There are lots of thoughtful initiatives woven throughout the business, from supporting ocean conservation and education to mentoring Māori women and helping schools and charities access their products. Smidge On-the-go SPF 40 Sunscreen is a lightweight, waterless, broad-spectrum sunscreen. Safe for kids and sensitive skin. Compact and travel-ready. Requires only a small amount per use and lasts 2-3 times longer. Every purchase funds ocean conservation.
Categories: Best Natural Sunscreen 2026
$21.00
Natural sunscreens can often feel thick, greasy or difficult to rub in, but this one was surprisingly lightweight and comfortable on the skin. It applied easily and didn’t leave me feeling sticky. Of course I love the aluminium tin alternative to plastic sunscreen bottles! I was impressed by how deeply sustainability seems to be built into the brand. The plastic-free aluminium tins, waterless formulation, ethically sourced ingredients and support for local New Zealand businesses all show the founders consider their environmental and social impact across many areas of the business. I love the tin – it’s a great size to fit in your hand to apply and to travel with. A little goes a long way too, which is really cost effective and space effective (don’t need to travel with heaps of it on you). I admire their efforts to not only create a sunscreen without the plastic packaging, but to think carefully about where the ingredients are sourced too. I know that’s really hard to do with products like sunscreen! 2% of revenue is a massive effort to donate to ocean conservation and as a small business, I really respect that. This versatile sunscreen is such a clever little product. I love that it comes in a travel-friendly aluminium tin (which is infinitely recyclable) and can be used on the face, lips and backs of the hands. As someone whose lips burn easily, I know this little tin will be coming everywhere with me. The balm-like texture glides on beautifully and stays neatly contained when opening and closing the tin, without any mess. It provides excellent sun protection without leaving a white cast. There are lots of thoughtful initiatives woven throughout the business, from supporting ocean conservation and education to mentoring Māori women and helping schools and charities access their products. Smidge On-the-go SPF 40 Sunscreen is a lightweight, waterless, broad-spectrum sunscreen. Safe for kids and sensitive skin. Compact and travel-ready. Requires only a small amount per use and lasts 2-3 times longer. Every purchase funds ocean conservation.
Categories: Best Natural Sunscreen 2026
Natural sunscreens can often feel thick, greasy or difficult to rub in, but this one was surprisingly lightweight and comfortable on the skin. It applied easily and didn’t leave me feeling sticky. Of course I love the aluminium tin alternative to plastic sunscreen bottles! I was impressed by how deeply sustainability seems to be built into the brand. The plastic-free aluminium tins, waterless formulation, ethically sourced ingredients and support for local New Zealand businesses all show the founders consider their environmental and social impact across many areas of the business. I love the tin – it’s a great size to fit in your hand to apply and to travel with. A little goes a long way too, which is really cost effective and space effective (don’t need to travel with heaps of it on you). I admire their efforts to not only create a sunscreen without the plastic packaging, but to think carefully about where the ingredients are sourced too. I know that’s really hard to do with products like sunscreen! 2% of revenue is a massive effort to donate to ocean conservation and as a small business, I really respect that. This versatile sunscreen is such a clever little product. I love that it comes in a travel-friendly aluminium tin (which is infinitely recyclable) and can be used on the face, lips and backs of the hands. As someone whose lips burn easily, I know this little tin will be coming everywhere with me. The balm-like texture glides on beautifully and stays neatly contained when opening and closing the tin, without any mess. It provides excellent sun protection without leaving a white cast. There are lots of thoughtful initiatives woven throughout the business, from supporting ocean conservation and education to mentoring Māori women and helping schools and charities access their products. Smidge On-the-go SPF 40 Sunscreen – Smidge Suncare
Smidge On-the-go SPF 40 Sunscreen is a lightweight, waterless, broad-spectrum sunscreen. Safe for kids and sensitive skin. Compact and travel-ready. Requires only a small amount per use and lasts 2-3 times longer. Every purchase funds ocean conservation.
Categories: Best Natural Sunscreen 2026
Natural sunscreens can often feel thick, greasy or difficult to rub in, but this one was surprisingly lightweight and comfortable on the skin. It applied easily and didn’t leave me feeling sticky. Of course I love the aluminium tin alternative to plastic sunscreen bottles! I was impressed by how deeply sustainability seems to be built into the brand. The plastic-free aluminium tins, waterless formulation, ethically sourced ingredients and support for local New Zealand businesses all show the founders consider their environmental and social impact across many areas of the business. I love the tin – it’s a great size to fit in your hand to apply and to travel with. A little goes a long way too, which is really cost effective and space effective (don’t need to travel with heaps of it on you). I admire their efforts to not only create a sunscreen without the plastic packaging, but to think carefully about where the ingredients are sourced too. I know that’s really hard to do with products like sunscreen! 2% of revenue is a massive effort to donate to ocean conservation and as a small business, I really respect that. This versatile sunscreen is such a clever little product. I love that it comes in a travel-friendly aluminium tin (which is infinitely recyclable) and can be used on the face, lips and backs of the hands. As someone whose lips burn easily, I know this little tin will be coming everywhere with me. The balm-like texture glides on beautifully and stays neatly contained when opening and closing the tin, without any mess. It provides excellent sun protection without leaving a white cast. There are lots of thoughtful initiatives woven throughout the business, from supporting ocean conservation and education to mentoring Māori women and helping schools and charities access their products.You Might Also Like