Why the World Is in Love with Badger

The American family brand BADGER hardly needs an introduction. Its sunscreens and balms are among the most popular and safest in the world, which is why we wanted to offer them to you too. For babies, Badger makes this soothing SPF sunscreen with popular extracts of chamomile and calendula. Both herbs are known for their healing and soothing properties. Badger sunscreens are rated among the best and cleanest formulations on the prestigious EWG (Environmental Working Group) website. Choosing them helps protect your little ones, as well as you and the environment.

Badger believes in verifying all of its product claims so that you, as a customer, can trust the products you use and the companies you support. It also believes in independent certification and full transparency. If you prefer to see the evidence behind these claims, read on.

CLAIMS AND WHAT'S BEHIND THEM...

Safe and effective – Badger takes pride in making sunscreens it considers among the safest and most effective in the world. It uses mineral zinc oxide as the only active ingredient, providing broad-spectrum protection (UVA and UVB). The other inactive ingredients are minimally processed, kind to the skin, and the vast majority are certified organic by USDA Organic.

Easy to apply and non-greasy - this claim appears on Badger sunscreens because they use a lighter cream base with lower viscosity, making them easy to spread. The inactive ingredients are therefore quickly absorbed into the skin.

Non-nano sunscreen (NON NANO) – sunscreens carrying this claim use zinc oxide with particles larger than 100nm.

Sunscreen with clear zinc oxide (CLEAR ZINC OXIDE) – sunscreens carrying this claim use porous zinc oxide to reduce the white appearance of the product.

UVA/ UVB Sunscreen – all Badger sunscreens provide excellent broad-spectrum protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Water-resistant Sunscreen (WATER RESISTANT) – sunscreens carrying this claim have been independently tested to remain effective after 40 or 80 minutes of swimming or sweating.

Reef-friendly (REEF FRIENDLY/ REEF SAFE) – sunscreens carrying this claim contain no ingredients that harm aquatic flora or fauna.

Biodegradable Sunscreen (BIODEGRADABLE) – sunscreens carrying this claim have passed biodegradability testing, meaning they can break down naturally without harmful consequences.

Certified Natural Sunscreen – all Badger sunscreens meet the standard set by the NPA (Natural Products Association (NPA).  

Certified Organic Sunscreen – all Badger sunscreens contain between 84% and 99% certified organic ingredients (the calculation does not include zinc oxide) and are certified for organic ingredient content under the NSF/ ANSI 305 standard. Because all sunscreens use the mineral ingredient zinc oxide, they cannot be certified under the USDA Organic programme (which is based on a food-grade standard and does not permit mineral ingredients). NSF is a very rigorous programme for cosmetic products.

Sunscreen free from genetically modified organisms (NON-GMO) – all Badger sunscreens carrying this logo are certified under the NSF NON-GMO programme to the NSF NON-GMO TRUE NORTH standard, through one of the most respected independent certification organisations operating today.

Non-pore-clogging sunscreen (NON-COMEDOGENIC) – all Badger sunscreens are made from ingredients that should not irritate the skin or clog its pores. Products carrying this logo have been clinically tested to confirm that they do not clog pores. These products include SPF 30 Unscented Sunscreen Cream, SPF 30 Tinted Unscented Sunscreen Cream, SPF 30 Clear Zinc Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 25 Rose Face Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 25 Rose Tint Face Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30 Clear Zinc Sunscreen, SPF 35 Clear Zinc Sunscreen.

Other Badger products (Baby, Kids, Lavender, and Sport) contain the same ingredients as the unscented creams (apart from a small percentage of essential oils) and are clearly appropriate for sensitive skin.

Hypoallergenic Sunscreen – “Hypo (less) allergenic” indicates a lower likelihood of an allergic or irritant reaction. This claim is supported by RIPT (Repeat Insult Patch Testing) on human volunteers. Tests on Badger products have shown that all can be considered “Non Primary Irritants (not considered primary/ major irritants) and Non Primary Sensitizers (not considered primary/ major ingredients causing sensitising reactions)”.

Paediatrician-tested sunscreen – to carry this claim, the product must again pass RIPT testing. The results are then reviewed and approved by a consulting paediatrician, who determines whether the product is appropriate for babies and kids. Badger SPF 30 Baby Sunscreen, Diaper Cream, and After-Bug Balm have been approved in this way.

Broad-spectrum sunscreen (BROAD SPECTRUM) – in the USA, all broad-spectrum claims must be supported by the CRITICAL WAVELENGTH method, which measures the range of UVA protection. A sunscreen can be classified as broad spectrum if its critical wavelength result is greater than 370nm. Badger sunscreens range between 374-385nm. More information.

PA - this symbol/ logo is based on the UVA rating system used in Asian countries. It represents the level of protection against UVA rays (UVA-PA-protection grade)/ (UVA-PF-protection factor). It is the strictest international broad-spectrum test available and measures persistent pigment darkening of human skin (PPD - persistent pigment darkening). UVA-PF results are often expressed using 4 grades, from PA+ (the lowest level of protection) to PA++++ (the highest level of protection). Badger has tested some of its sunscreens under this system so that it can supply products to countries where the rating is required. The BABY and KIDS sunscreens we offer are among those that received PA+++. However, all Badger sunscreens meet the FDA standard for broad-spectrum protection and provide effective protection against UVA radiation.

UVA – under EU rules, broad-spectrum protection is determined by the ratio of UVA protection to UVB protection. For a sunscreen to carry the UVA symbol on its packaging and claim broad-spectrum protection, its UVA protection factor (determined by PPD testing) must be at least one third of its SPF value. At present, the USA and Canada do not require sunscreens to provide protection against UVA radiation. Since September 2013, the FDA has required manufacturers' claims relating to broad-spectrum and UVA protection to be supported by critical wavelength testing. 

Certified B-Corp – Badger is a certified B Corporation. The ‘B’ stands for BENEFIT, and this designation means that the company has committed to making its mission part of the DNA of how it does business. This covers everything from how product ingredients are sourced to how the management treats employees and the environment.

Not tested on animals – this claim is backed by the international Leaping Bunny certification.