Ingredients and Formulation for Key Sun Coloured Zinke Sunscreen Stick

Question

Could you please provide the ingredients and method to create a product very similar to the Key Sun Coloured Zinke Sticks SPF50+ 5g? The product is packaged similarly to a lip balm and is described as:

Key Sun Coloured Zinke Sticks SPF50+ 5g

Australian Owned and Made

All colours are SPF 50+ except Red and Clear that are SPF 30+.

Size: 5 g

Apply liberally and evenly at least 20 minutes before exposure to the sun. Reapply at regular intervals especially after swimming or exercising.

Perfect for kids school carnivals - swimming, cross country and atheltics
Support your favourite sporting team by wearing the team colours
Be protected from the sun while having fun with colour

Ingredients:

Black: Zinc Oxide 120 mg/g, Octocrylene 70 mg/g, Octyl methoxycinnamate 20 mg/g. Contains Hydroxybenzoates.
Yellow: Zinc Oxide 250mg/g, Octyl methoxycinnamate 50mg/g.
Red: Octyl methoxycinnamate 85mg/g, Octocrylene 50mg/g, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane 20mg/g, Zinc Oxide 20 mg/g, Oxybenzone 25 mg/g. Contains Hydroxybenzoates
Blue: Zinc Oxide 250mg/g, Octyl methoxycinnamate 50mg/g.
White: Zinc Oxide 150mg/g, Titanium Dioxide 150mg/g, Octyl methoxycinnamate 50mg/g.
Clear: Zinc Oxide 120 mg/g, Octocrylene 70 mg/g, Octyl methoxycinnamate 20 mg/g. Contains: Hydroxybenzoates
Green: Zinc Oxide 250mg/g, Octyl methoxycinnamate 50mg/g.
Pink: Zinc Oxide 250mg/g, Octyl methoxycinnamate 50mg/g.
Tanne: Zinc Oxide 150mg/g, Titanium Dioxide 150mg/g, Octyl methoxycinnamate 50mg/g.

Caution: Avoid contact with eyes. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun's rays and always wear protective clothing such as hats and eyewear. Discontinue use if a rash develops. Store below 30'C.

MySkinRecipes Expert · Accepted Answer

Key Ingredients and Formulation Approach for a Sunscreen Stick

Based on the ingredient list provided for the Key Sun Coloured Zinke Sticks, the primary active ingredients are a combination of physical and chemical sunscreens. To create a similar product in a stick format, you would need to incorporate these key sunscreen components into a suitable base.

Key Sunscreen Ingredients:

The product uses a mix of the following UV filters:

Zinc Oxide: A physical sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Different concentrations are used depending on the desired SPF and color.
Titanium Dioxide: Another physical sunscreen, often used in combination with Zinc Oxide for enhanced broad-spectrum protection, particularly against UVB and short-wave UVA.
Octocrylene: A chemical sunscreen that primarily absorbs UVB and short-wave UVA rays. It also helps stabilize other UV filters like Avobenzone.
Octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC): A chemical sunscreen effective at absorbing UVB rays.
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (Avobenzone): A chemical sunscreen that provides excellent protection against UVA rays, especially long-wave UVA. Note that Avobenzone can be unstable and is often used with stabilizers like Octocrylene or Oxybenzone.
Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3): A chemical sunscreen that absorbs both UVB and short-wave UVA rays. It can also help stabilize Avobenzone.

Different colors of the Key Sun Zinke Stick use varying combinations and concentrations of these sunscreens to achieve different SPF levels (SPF 50+ or SPF 30+).

Formulation Approach:

A stick format like this typically requires a solid or semi-solid base. This base is usually composed of waxes (such as beeswax, carnauba wax, or synthetic waxes) and oils or emollients. These ingredients provide the structure, texture, and application properties of the stick, similar to a lip balm or solid lotion bar.

Color is achieved by incorporating pigments, which would need to be dispersed evenly throughout the base.

The product also lists Hydroxybenzoates, which are a type of preservative used to prevent microbial growth.

Creating a Similar Product:

To formulate a similar product, you would need to:

Select the desired sunscreen filters and determine their appropriate concentrations based on the target SPF. Ensure compatibility between the chosen filters (e.g., Avobenzone compatibility with other ingredients).
Develop a suitable stick base using a blend of waxes and oils/emollients that provides the desired hardness, melting point, and skin feel.
Properly disperse the sunscreen powders (Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide) and pigments into the oil/wax phase to ensure even distribution and effectiveness.
Incorporate a preservative system, such as Hydroxybenzoates or alternative broad-spectrum preservatives, to maintain product stability and safety.

Formulating stable and effective sunscreen products, especially those containing physical filters and requiring specific SPF values, can be complex and often requires specialized knowledge and testing to ensure efficacy and stability over time. The exact ratios of waxes, oils, sunscreens, and other ingredients would need to be determined through formulation trials to achieve the desired stick properties and sun protection performance.