What exactly is the SPF rating on sunscreen and what does Broad Spectrum mean?

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor.

Everyone has a natural ability to protect themselves form the sun's harmful UV rays. People with darker skin can protect themselves for longer intervals than those with fair skin. The SPF rating gives you a multiple of your skin's natural protection.

The SPF rating however focuses solely on UVB rays. These rays are responsible for sunburn and the main contributor to melanoma.

The SPF rating does not indicate the level of protection you get from UVA rays that are present in much higher levels in sunlight than UVB. They are the main cause of skin aging and also plays a role in causing some skin cancers.

Sunscreen with a Broad Spectrum rating protect against both UVA & UVB.

What's the difference between SPF 30, SPF 50 and SPF 100?

You might be surprised to learn that the difference is minimal. SPF30 blocks out 97% of UVB radiation, while SPF50 blocks 98% and an SPF100 99%.

Often sensitivity to the chemicals needed to get that fraction more protection, outweigh the benefits, particularly for people with sensitive skin.

The best protection comes from using a broad spectrum SPF30+, applying it properly and reapplying every 2 hours.

How do I apply sunscreen correctly?

Sunscreen should be applied 20 minutes before going outdoors. For an adult, recommended sunscreen application is 5mL (approximately one teaspoon) for each arm, leg, body front, body back and face (including neck and ears). That equates to a total of 35mL (approximately seven teaspoons) for a full body application. It needs to be reapplied at least every two hours, irrespective of the water resistance of the sunscreen, and should be reapplied after swimming, sport, sweating and towel drying.

Lastly, remember that sunscreen should always be used in combination with other sun protection measures, including wearing sun protective hats, protective clothing, sunglasses, and seeking shade.

Are your sunscreens reef-friendly?

Absolutely! Our SPF products are proudly reef-friendly as we don't use synthetic ingredients that are known to damage and harm coral reefs.

Do your sunscreens contain nano-particles?

Our zinc is non-nano and has been independently tested by the CSIRO using laser particle diffraction. The zinc oxide used in Wotnot sunscreen is micron sized i.e. >1000nm (nanometers). Nano particles are defined as particles in a size ranging from 1-100nm. Wotnot zinc particles are 10-1000 times bigger than a nanoparticle and so are not expected to cross the barrier of the epidermis. The zinc oxide we use is specifically made for Wotnot 

Why does my sunscreen appear separated and the oil has come out the top? What should I do and is it still effective protection?

Our sunscreen is rich in nourishing oils and being a natural product the ingredients may separate. It is best to massage and then shake the tube well before use. 

Is your sunscreen water resistant?

Wotnot natural sunscreen 100g and 150g contain beeswax which helps create a natural resistance to water but has not been tested for water resistance. We recommend that you use a water resistant product in the water and regardless of which sunscreen you use you should always reapply after being in the water or towelling dry. Our Face sunscreen is water-resistant for up to 2 hours. 

What is the difference between your SPF30 sunscreen and a SPF 50 sunscreen?

Our sunscreen is TGA listed, has been independently assessed and tested to TGA requirements and awarded an SPF of 30+. While SPF 50 sounds like a significantly higher level of protection than an SPF30 the difference is not really in the amount of UV protection. An SPF 50 sunscreen will filter 98% of UV radiation while an SPF30 product filters 96.7% so the difference is not large. 

How these SPFs differ is around the length of time that each will protect you, but even this is not as simple as it seems. Everyone’s skin is different and each person’s skin can be exposed to the sun for different lengths of time before burning. 

Sunscreens extend the time before burning by a multiple of the SPF. Eg if you have fair skin and would normally burn in 10 minutes without any sun protection then an SPF 30 will give you 30 x 10 minutes protection while an SPF 50 will give you 50 x 10 minutes. The issue is that all sunscreens will rub off over time with normal activity and perspiration and so in some cases the higher SPF can give a false sense of security. Due to normal activity all sunscreens need to be reapplied regularly. 

Is Wotnot sunscreen non-comedegenic (ie doesn’t clog pores?)

While we have not carried out any comedogenic testing on our sunscreen, our formula uses all natural ingredients and does not contain any of the ingredients flagged as comedogenic (see http://www.acne.org/comedogenic-list.html )

How do I best clean my face after using your face sunscreen?

Wotnot sunscreen is a physical (zinc based) sunscreen and the base consists of oil so you can’t just wash off easily.

Good news is that you don’t need a special sunscreen cleanser. Zinc sunscreen is easy to remove with an oil cleanser.

Pick an oil. You can use coconut oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, even olive oil works. Pour a little into the palm of your hand, then massage it all over your face. Leave it to soak in for a minute or two.

Run a face washer under some warm water, but not too hot. Wring it out, hold it over your face for around 10 seconds, and then gently wipe away the oil and the sunscreen.

Repeat if you need until all the sunscreen is gone. This will do wonders for your skin as well as gently remove the sunscreen.

We also have Face Wipes available for 2 different skin types that are infused with certified organic oils that will work a treat too. Great news is that our face wipes are certified compostable so you can just pop them in your compost bin when you’re done 

How come your sunscreens do not make my skin go white? Isn't zinc normally white?

Yes, zinc oxide would normally be white on the skin. We use a special type of zinc oxide that is made here in Australia and dispersed within jojoba oil which helps make it clear. 

What makes your face sunscreen special?

Our face sunscreen is firstly designed to provide high level broad spectrum protection. But we didn't stop there! After collaborating with our tribe we also added Cosmos approved plant collagen proven to help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by up to 16% when used daily over 8 weeks. And lastly our beautiful natural oils and extracts work to leave skin glowing ready to face the day or perfectly primed before applying makeup. 

How ofter do you recommend reapplying sunscreen?

Sunscreen naturally wears off and regardless of the level of protection should be reapplied regularly, after swimming, towelling dry or prespiring.

What is the preservative that you use in the face sunscreen?

The preservatives in our face sunscreen are caprylyl glycol and octanohydroxamic acid. We take great care in chosing our ingredients and will always choose the most gentle and effective options available. 

What age can your baby and family sunscreen be used from?

Wotnot natural sunscreen is suitable for babies from 3 months of age. Babies under 3 months should avoid direct sun exposure. As with any product, if you feel that you or your baby may be allergy-prone then we recommend that you do a patch test before general use. Please ensure to read the ingredients and directions for use carefully: https://wotnot.com.au/products/30-spf-baby-sunscreen-100g

What age can the baby sunscreen be used from?

Our sunscreen is safe to use on babies from as young as 3 months old. Babies under 3 months should avoid direct sun exposure. We are so happy to provide you with a safe and nourishing sun protection solution, that has been tried and tested for over 10 years for your baby once he or she turns 3 months old. 

 

What is Naticide listed in your baby sunscreen?

Naticide is one of the preservatives approved by the ACO (Australian Certified Organic) association. It is an extract of blue violet and acacia plants. 

 

I need a copy of your Wotnot sunscreen MSDS or Safety Data Sheet so my child can use it at school. Could you please provide this?

Please download the MSDS PDF here

 

What is the percentage of zinc oxide in your sunscreens?

The percentage of zinc oxide in all our sunscreens is 25%. We want only the best for you and this is one of the highest in the industry. 

My baby has a bad nappy rash, what can I do?

When your bub has a rash breakout, free airflow is best. Wash your baby's bottom gently and pat dry, let them be without a nappy for as long as you can. Before putting the next nappy on, gently apply some of our Nappy Rash Cream to the affected areas. Change the nappy as frequently as possible until the rash calms down. 

 

My child has a scratch or bad mossie bites. I don’t want to put any strong medicine on but want to help her get over it. What can I do?

If your little one gets bitten by an insect or has a scratch from being inquisitive about his environment there is no better thing than to apply our Nappy Rash Cream. It helps soothe, relieve the itch and repair the skin. The procedure of putting this magical cream on little booboos also helps to calm your child and give him the reassurance that their carer is there for them. 

 

Can I use Wotnot on a newborn?

Yes our products are so gentle they are safe from birth. Although our baby sunscreen is super gentle and can be used on babies from 3 months of age, it is advised that babies under this age should avoid direct sun exposure.

 

My baby accidentally ate some of the product, will they be ok?

Our baby skincare range contains all natural ingredients however they are not meant to be consumed. Please see medical advice if you are concerned. 

 

What is the DHA that you use in your tanning lotions?

The DHA used in our lotion is COSMOS approved and derived from sugar cane. DHA is designed to react to the proteins and amino acids in the outer layers of the skin. Conventional tanning products use synthetic based DHA and often include chemical absorbers designed to penetrate the skin’s surface to develop a faster tan. These conventional tans can also contain ingredients like dyes, artificial fragrances, parabens, alcohol and petrochemicals. The side effect of the absorbers used to develop synthetic based tanning lotions, is that all the product's chemicals are more easily absorbed into the blood stream. 

 

Why is your tanning lotion special?

Whenever we create a product in collaboration with our tribe one thing always stands out. Our products have to deliver more! Our unqiue tanning lotions not only leave skin beautifully bronzed they are also packed with a blend of organic ingredients to naturally nourish and hydrate leaving skin silky soft to touch too. 

 

Are your wipes biodegradable and compostable?

Yes! One of our core company values is respect for all life including our planet, so our wipes are made from 100% bamboo fibre that is biodegradable and compostable.  

 

Why are there concerns about wipes claiming to be "Just Water"?

ALL "water" wipes on the market are made using more than 70% Polyester in each wipe. That's a lot of plastic going into landfill everyday. Our aim is to minimise our impact on our planet which is why our wipes are not only made using natural ingredients, but are also kind to our environment.

 

Where are your wipes made?

We couldn't find a manufacturer in Australia that could make our unique wipes, so we source the certified organic ingredients here and work with a reputable company in China. We put great value in the trusted relationships we have built with all our partners and personally travelled to the facility, to meet the people we would be working with, and ensure that our wipes would be made to the highest standard.

 

Is your outer wipes packaging also biodegradable and compostable?

Unfortunately wet wipes require a waterproof seal so there are no wet wipes packaging that are biodegradable.

 

Are the wipes flushable?

Our wipes are certified compostable and biodegradable however they are not flushable. NO wipe is flushable even if it says it is. Wet wipes are too large for domestic waste pipes and urban sewer systems, resulting in fatbergs and costly plumbing bills for both consumers and councils. Our wipes can be used in compost toilets. 

 

How much water is in the wipes?

Our wipes are 98% water. The remaining 2% is made up of nourishing, healing ingredients that are gentle to the most sensitive skin. They are also 100% biodegradable and compostable.

 

Is your 100g and 150g sunscreen the same ingredients?

Yes they are. They are packaged differently to cater for those that need a little (100g tube) and for those that need a lot (150g tube).

What is the normal shelf-life time for the compostable bag?

The Wotnot biodegradable bags have 12 months product life when stored at 30°C or less. Avoid direct sunlight and stay away from heat source. 

 

How long will it take for the compostable bags to start to degrade when disposed in landfill

Our nappy bags are 100% compostable so worms will eat through them. Our bags can be added to all compost systems. Every compost system is different and breaks down all matter at a different rate. Our product is certified to the below standards: DIN EN 13432:2000-12 and ASTM D 6400:2004

 

What is the final material once the bag is totally degraded?

In the two-steps of degradation process, the film is first converted by reaction with oxygen to smaller fragments (oxidized material) which will further biodegrade in the presence of oxygen, moisture and microorganisms. Then the molecules of the oxidized materials are small enough for microorganisms to begin ingesting the degraded plastic materials, yielding carbon dioxide, water and biomass (as the final materials). 

What is Wotnot doing to help the environment outside of product?

We are committed to taking care of our planet. We offset all our carbon emissions through planting new trees in areas of deforestation. 

 

How much is shipping?

Free Shipping on orders over $95. Freight charges on orders under $95 are dependent on State. Below is a breakdown of freight costs to your 
area: 
NSW - $7.99, 
QLD/VIC/SA/ACT/TAS - $9.99, 
WA/NT - $12.99 

 

When can I expect my parcel if I placed an order today and live within Australia?

We work really hard to get your order out quickly and it will be dispatched on the next working day after full payment has been received. Delivery to all NSW addresses should be within 2-3 days, however all other states should allow an additional 2-3 days for their delivery.

 

I live overseas and want to place an online order. How much will shipping be and how long will it take to arrive?

We deliver anywhere in the world. Shipping is calculated at checkout. If you have any concerns please email marketing@wotnot.com.au to discuss freight options. Please note that any additional Customs or Duties charged by the recipient's country, will be charged to the customer.

 

What payment method do you accept?

Payment can be made via credit card (Mastercard & Visa) and Paypal.

 

How can I track my order?

All orders are tracked via Australia Post. Once your order has been shipped you will receive an automatic email with the tracking number. If there are any delays with your order, you will also recieve an update from Australia Post with the expected delivery date for your parcel. If you select "Authority to leave" during checkout, we will not be held responsible if packages go missing. 

 

I am not happy with my purchase? Who can I contact to discuss?

Our friendly customer service team are available to assist - please contact us Mon-Fri 9am-5pm at marketing@wotnot.com.au and we will be happy to assist with your query.

 

The product I received looks different than the picture I saw on the website? Is it the same?

Due to intermittent changes in packaging design, the product you receive may differ in appearance from what you see on the website. We assure you that the ingredients inside are the same even if the product name, label or box has changed in appearance. If you have a question about a specific product you’ve ordered, please get in touch with us if you need further clarification. 

 

Where can I purchase your products?

Our products are available at Chemist Warehouse, Priceline and in all good pharmacies and health food stores nationwide as well as online retailers. Please refer to our list of stockists: https://wotnot.com.au/pages/store-locator

Do you offer free samples of your skincare range?

Unfortunately we don't have any samples of our skincare at this time. However we feel confident that you will love Wotnot and so we are pleased to offer you a $5 discount off any of the Wotnot products when you purchase anything over $25. Use the code NEWCUSTOMER at checkout to redeem this offer. 

 

Do you have testers available in store for your products?

Due to Covid-19, testers have been temporarily removed from some stores. Once safe to do so, these will be available again. 

 

Are your tubes recyclable?

Our tubes are made with 30% to 40% recycled polyethylene (PE). This recycled material is FDA approved for direct food contact. Our tubes are manufactured using green energy from solar farms, are 100% recyclable and can be disposed of in council recycling bins. 

 

Are your products cruelty free? Do you test on animals?

We do not test on animals! We first test on our own bodies and then ask our tribe. Only if they all love it and want to use more of it, will we produce it for the wider audience :) We are so committed to this that we have turned down very large opportunities that would require animal testing. It's a big no for us! 

 

Are your products safe to use when pregnant and breastfeeding?

YES! All Wotnot products are pregnancy and breastfeeding safe, and they contain edible ingredients where possible. Always check the full ingredients list first before trying and we recommend doing a patch test first if possible. 

 

Do your products contain gluten?

All Wotnot products are gluten free. Our products are not formulated with barley, rye, triticale or oats. We currently use colloidal oatmeal which is gluten free on our baby wash and nappy rash cream.
 

Are your products vegan?

All of our products are vegan apart from our natural sunscreen which contains beeswax which acts as a natural water repellent.

 

Do any of your products include palm oil?

Wotnot does not include any palm oil in our products. However vegetable emulsifiers and emollients often come from a combination of vegetable sources including soya/coconut/palm oils etc. We request that any palm oil derived ingredient used in our products is from a RSPO (Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil) plantation. 

 

How do you choose your ingredients?

We do our homework! So our whole team in collaboration with our customers have done a lot of research into our ingredient choices:

Firstly is it edible and non irritating? If so it's in!
Next we look to ingredients that are approved by Certified Organic Associations and that are also non irritating. They're in! Lastly we look to ingredients that are high functioning, non irritating and listed as non toxic on the EWG datadase (https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/).  

In all of the above, the ingredients must be effective. There's no point having organic plant collagen in our face sunscreen if it doesn't have any advantage to your skin. We choose effective ingredients in a concentration to truely benefit the skin.

 

What are Wotnot's other social engagements?

We are passionate about the well-being of children and for many years we have been supporting Bear Cottage to assist in its important function as a children's hospice. A percentage of all our baby range sales goes to this amazing institution and we visit them personally and support them throughout the year.

Wotnot supports women in every way and we understand that there are women all over Australia who face domestic violence, both physical and emotional. This is why we have chosen to donate a percentage of sales from our beauty range to Women’s Community Shelters. We believe that it is important for women to support women. 

 

Other environmental initiatives

Wotnot offset all our carbon emissions through planting new trees in areas of deforestation. We are proud supporters of Carbon Neutral Australia where every purchase of our products goes towards reducing our carbon footprint! 

Carbon Neutral is an organisation that plants natives in a biodiversity hotspot 5 hours north of Perth - the plantings are a mix of trees and shrubs that regenerate degraded farm land, provide habitat for endangered species and trap carbon from the atmosphere. 

 

What are your tubes made of & are they recyclable?

Our tubes are Australian made with 30-90% Recycled content (polyethylene – PE) sourced from an Australian company. This recycled material is FDA approved for direct food contact. Our tubes are manufactured using green energy from solar farms. 

They are 100% recyclable and can be disposed in council recycling bins. 

 

Are you products cruelty free? Do you test on animals?

We do not test on animals! We first test on our own bodies and then ask our tribe. Only if they all love it and want to use more of it, will we produce it for the wider audience :) We are so committed to this that we have turned down very large opportunities that would require animal testing. It's a big no for us!

 

Do your products contain micro-plastics?

No, they do not. We do not use or endorse the use of these. 

 

Are your products suitable for people with sensitive skin including eczema, psoriasis and rosacea?

Yes! All our products have been specifically designed for the most sensitive skin and are endorsed by the Eczema Association and have been dermatologically tested. We use the finest, most gentle organic and natural extracts as close to mother nature as possible. Our products are all natural and are free from sulphates, petrochemicals, parabens, caustics and glycols. They're also free from toxins and known irritants like artificial fragrances. 

The healing properties in our products help calm and soothe inflamed skin. We care deeply about the pain and discomfort suffered from sensitive skin so advise that as with any new product you patch test before use. 

 

 

Do you have any products that specifically help managing eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis?

All our products are designed to be non irritating even to the most delicate skin but our stars in these areas are our baby range and family sunscreen. These products not only perform their function beautifully they are deeply enfused with skin benefiting and soothing ingredients.