Frequently Asked Questions

SUNSCREEN

What should I look for in a sunscreen?

It is really important to choose a broad spectrum sunscreen that protects your skin from both UVA & UVB rays. UVA is responsible for skin "aging", and UVB is what generates a "burn" or redness to the skin, both of which can contribute to skin cancers. It is reported that two in three Australians will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer by the age of 70.

And remember, the best sunscreen is the one that you feel good about wearing every day. Choose an SPF 50 if possible. For sporting and active days, choose a waterproof sunscreen. Otherwise, it really is a matter of personal choice.

Our sunscreens are packed full of skin-loving goodies and nourishing emollients to keep your skin looking and feeling hydrated, while you focus on the fun stuff!

Do I need to use sunscreen every day?

Applying sunscreen every morning should be an essential part of your daily routine. In fact, anytime the UV rating is above 3 (which it is in post parts of Australia every day of the year, you should be wearing an SPF.

Up to 90% of skin aging and most skin cancers are caused by unprotected sun exposure. The damage is cumulative, and in Australia, can occur in as little as 10 minutes in the sun.

What does "SPF" mean?

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. It refers to how long the sunscreen will protect you before you start to burn (sunburn = sun damage). Because some UV radiation still gets through the sunscreen and into your skin, the SPF number refers to roughly how long it will take for a person's skin to turn red. 

Sunscreen with an SPF of 15 will prevent your skin from getting red for approximately 15 times longer than usual (so if you start to burn in 10 minutes, sunscreen with SPF 15 will prevent burning for about 150 minutes).

A sunscreen with an SPF of 15 protects against about 93% of UVB rays, one with an SPF of 30 protects against 97% of rays and a sunscreen with an SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays, according to the Mayo Clinic. Or, another way of looking at it is:

SPF 15 (93% protection) allows 7 out of 100 photons through

SPF 50 (98% protection) allows 2 out of 100 photons through

So, while it may not seem that you're increasing your level of protection by a significant amount, an SPF 15 will let through three times the amount of photons than an SPF 50.

There is no sunscreen that can block 100% of UV rays, which is why it is important not to spend prolonged periods of time in the sun, even whilst wearing sunscreen.

How much sunscreen should I apply?

Typically, you should apply the equivalent of a teaspoon of sunscreen to each arm, leg, front of body, back of body and face (which includes neck and ears). If you are not applying this amount to each of these areas of the body, you will not be getting the amount of protection listed on the bottle. This is another reason why SPF 50 is so important as it offers more insurance for poor applications. 

*Apply sunscreen on all exposed areas and reapply according to product directions. Avoid prolonged exposure.⁠ Sunscreen is only one component of sun protection, it is important to wear protective clothing such as long sleeves, hats and protective eyewear when exposed to the sun.⁠

What are “active" ingredients”?

"Actives" in sunscreens are the chemicals within the ingredients that make it work! In sunscreen, they are there to absorb or filter the ultraviolet light to stop you from burning and protect you from the harmful rays. These include ingredients found in both chemical and physical sunscreen formulas.

We have developed our sunscreens to avoid using filters such as Oxybenzone and Octinoxate.

Do you use chemical ingredients?

We use a mix of organic (chemical)  and inorganic (mineral) compounds in our range to achieve the best result and provide maximum protection. 

It is important to note, both chemical and mineral (physical) sunscreens work in the same way, by absorbing UV rays from the sun and converting them to heat, but vary by how well they do this. Different chemical structures (i.e. different UV filters) will absorb different wavelengths of light, hence the need for multiple filters. Some filters are better at absorbing UVA rays, whereas others are better at absorbing UVB rays. By using a combination of UV filters, sunscreen formulations are able to achieve better protection, aka Broad Spectrum (UVA + UVB) coverage.

If you have any further Q’s on the difference between Mineral and Chemical UV filters, please refer to our blog, Mineral vs. Chemical Sunscreens

How are sunscreens regulated in Australia?

The manufacture of sunscreens is strictly regulated by the Australian Government's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

The TGA's sunscreen regulations are among the strictest in the world. They are rigorous in seeking to exclude or minimise the use of any ingredients with any scientific evidence for potential adverse effects for humans. 

I only need sunscreen when I go to the beach, right?

Unfortunately, the sun doesn’t discriminate your surroundings. It beams it's beautiful light wherever we may be so make sunscreen your daily habit. We do!

I tan really easily so I don’t need SPF 50+ do I?

Wrong! A tan is basically your skin’s response to being injured or damaged from UV light. Your skin produces melanin (the pigment that colours or darkens your skin) when exposed to UV light in an effort to protect itself. Even when you have a tan, the UV light is still penetrating your skin and causing further damage. People with tanned skin are not immune to developing skin cancer.

Does sunscreen stain my clothes?

Sunscreen staining can occur with multiple UV filters when they react with iron in water (particularly, high iron content in your household water) or can be common in chlorinated pools. This is why you may see an orange, rust-coloured stain on your clothes after using some sunscreens. Although this is unlikely, unfortunately we cannot guarantee our sunscreens will not cause staining. 

Sunscreens stains can be tricky to avoid, however we recommend you following these steps should you have a stained garment:

1. Remove as much excess sunscreen from the affected area as you can, then blot it with a dry cloth. 

2. Sprinkle either bi-carb soda or cornflour over the stained area to absorb excess oils and give it about 30 minutes. 

3. Brush off any excess powder and rub it with a strong laundry or dishwashing detergent.

4. Soak your clothing in hot water mixed with detergent for up to 30 minutes, then rinse it with clean hot water once this time has expired.

5. Finally, launder as normal.

Are your products vegan?

Most of our sunscreens contain Beeswax for so therefore are not 100% vegan. However, our Mineral Sunscreen SPF50+ is free from Beeswax, so is considered vegan.

In addition, all of our Body Milks (Coco Milk, Sensitive Body Milk, Kakadu Plum Body Milk and Wild Rosella Body Milk), Good Night Skin Restoring Cream, After Sun Cooling Lotion and Pawpaw Nectar are all vegan.

Are you cruelty-free?

We Are Feel Good Inc. in Australia we are 100% cruelty free, unfortunately we have no control over other countries' rules and regulations that we supply to. This is why we do not claim cruelty-free on our packaging.

We do not believe these tests are necessary to evaluate safety or performance. But currently, these countries won’t accept alternative non-animal testing methods. We will continue to advocate for alternative methods to end animal testing in this industry.

Are your products "reef safe"?

Our sunscreen formulas are all free from the commonly used UV filters, Oxybenzone and Octinoxate, both of which have been found to have enough evidence against them to suggest that damage to reefs was possible when using these ingredients. Some governments from around the world are now taking action to ban the use of sunscreens containing these ingredients. Whereas we respect the decisions made by these government bodies and have decided against including these particular UV filters, we do not believe the issue is as simple as this. 

It is important to note that there are no regulations around companies using the term “reef safe”, as there have been multiple studies done, both for and against which ingredients are deemed “safe” for our reefs. Many people have different understandings of what this term means, which is why we choose to steer clear of using this claim.

BABIES & KIDS

Can I use sunscreen when pregnant?

During pregnancy your skin can be more sensitive, so it’s important to cover up. Our sunscreens and the ingredients used in our formulas have been deemed safe to use by the TGA during pregnancy. If you are concerned, it’s advised to speak with your doctor. Should you have any known skin sensitivities or health conditions, we do suggest having a look through our ingredients list for this product (available online) and consult your doctor if you have any further questions.

Are your products safe to use during pregnancy?

Yes, all of our products are deemed safe for use during pregnancy. Our sunscreens and the ingredients used in our formulas have been deemed safe to use by the TGA during pregnancy. They are free from Oxybenzone, Octinixate, Parabens and PABA.

Should you have any known skin sensitivities or health conditions, we do suggest having a look through our ingredients lists for our products (available online) and consult your doctor if you have any further questions.

What sunscreen should I use on my baby?

It is not recommended to apply sunscreen on babies under 6 months of age. Although of course if shade and clothing aren’t sufficient and you choose to introduce sunscreen, we recommend patch testing first to note any possible reactions.

In this case both our Mineral Sunscreen SPF50+ and our Sensitive Sunscreen SPF 50+ will be safe. Both products are dermatologically tested, fragrance free and suitable for the whole family and anyone with sensitive skin.

Can I use sunscreen on my baby?

Yes, as long as they are aged 6 months and older.

It is not recommended to apply sunscreen on babies under 6 months of age. Although of course if shade and clothing aren’t sufficient and you choose to introduce sunscreen, we recommend patch testing first to note any possible reactions.

ORDERS

How long does it take to process my order?

We aim to process all orders ready for dispatch within 2 business days of receiving your order.

How long will it take for my order to arrive?

We offer free express shipping Australia wide on orders over $55. Express shipping usually take between 1-3 working days for delivery in metro areas. Rural areas, please allow an additional 3 days. 

Once your order is dispatched we cannot control how long the external shipping contractor will take.

For more info about shipping and delivery please visit our Shipping Page.

What if I need to return my order?

Everything you need to know about returning an order can be found on our Returns page.  Please note all returns must be received within 30 days of purchase and that we require proof of purchase.

RECYCLING PROGRAM

How To Get Involved

1. Collect your empty We Are Feel Good Inc. packaging. *hint: gather from your famiy and friends to save on shipping.

2. Download your FREE shipping label via the Recycling page on the We Are Feel Good Inc. website and drop off at your local post office.

3. When we receive your return, you'll receive a 10% off discount code to use on your next order with us.

4. We'll take your empty bottles to Precious Plastic Margaret River where they'll be shredded and made into new reusable plastic items!

Are your sunscreen bottles recyclable?

In Australia, sunscreen is classified as a cosmetic or therapeutic good. This means all of our packaging must be glass, aluminum or 'food-grade’ virgin plastic. Currently, by law, we cannot use fully recycled plastics as these could hold contaminants. However, we are able to use a small percentage of recycled plastics and currently, our sunscreen tube packaging is made from 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic.

Can I send my bottles back to be refilled?

As much as we would like to, unfortunately we cannot offer this with our products. The TGA requires sunscreens to be sold in either glass, aluminium or food-grade virgin plastic, which can be very limiting for some companies, especially in terms of refillable solutions to plastic waste. This is why we have partnered with Precious Plastic Margaret River to help us turn old sunscreen bottles into new reusable plastic items.

Head to the Recycling Page on our website to learn more. *Recycling Program for participation within Australia only.

REACTIONS - OVERVIEW

General

If you are using one of our products for the first time, or if you believe that you may have reacted adversely to any of our products, then please read the following carefully and follow the precautions indicated.

Our range of SPF 50 formulas have all undergone rigorous testing in order to be TGA approved. However, it is estimated that 1% of the population may react to sunscreens. This reaction may be either a red rash that comes on after the cream is applied, or may develop only once exposed to the sun. Allergies from sunscreens may be caused by a variety of factors including:

- UV filters including Zinc Oxide or chemical filters

- Preservatives

- Fragrances

- Any of the other common ingredients, including Vitamin E, Aloe Vera and Beeswax which are "natural" and commonly used in cosmetics.

If you have sensitive skin and/or have reacted to certain skincare products in the past, we always recommend starting with a small patch test when introducing new products and note any reactions.

It is incredibly important that application instructions are followed to achieve the advertised protection levels. This includes applying liberally on all exposed areas 20 minutes prior to sun exposure, and reapplying every 2 hours or more when sweating, swimming or towel-drying. It is recommended that you use up to 35mLs of sunscreen for one full body application, equating to nearly one teaspoon per limb.

It is recommended that sunscreen be kept at 30 degrees C or below, as sunscreens can destabilise if not stored at the appropriate temperature. It’s possible that your product may be okay if left in the heat, but we cannot guarantee efficacy if the temperature the formula has reached is unknown. Unfortunately this means storing your sunscreen in the car is not recommended.

By law, we can not claim our sunscreens will stop you from ever experiencing sunburn. There are a number of variables that can contribute to getting burnt, including incorrect application, expired products, environmental factors, length of exposure and skin type.

Sunscreen is just one preventative measure you can take to reduce your risk of getting sunburnt. It is also recommended to wear long sleeve clothing and a hat when exposed to the sun, and try to seek shade where possible.

Please note, we are an Australian TGA approved, Broad Spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen which undergoes rigorous testing to be approved. We are confident our sunscreens offer the highest level of protection available.

Australian Regulations

All Australian sunscreens with a TGA approved licence number (i.e. AUSTLXXXXXX located on your product) have been rigorously tested and meet the highest standards of safety. By law, all active ingredients will be clearly labelled on the bottle.

The Australian regulators are rigorous in seeking to exclude or minimise the use of any ingredients with any scientific evidence for potential adverse effects for humans.

REACTIONS - WHAT TO DO

Precautions

We recommend that all of our products are first tested on a small patch of skin (inner upper arm for example) if you are trying a new product for the first time. You should then wait at least [30 minutes] to see if you have any reaction before applying any further sunscreen.

If you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergies, we recommend using products from our Sensitive Range as these are all fragrance free, dermatologically tested and suitable for those with sensitive skin. These products are both dermatologically tested, fragrance free and suitable for sensitive skin.

What To Do

If you react to any sunscreen (ours or other brands) it is strongly advised that you be particularly rigorous and cautious in patch testing any future products used.

You should also seek medical advice regarding the management of any reaction.

Reactions To Our Sensitive Range

If you believe that you have reacted to our Sensitive range, it is recommended you consult a dermatologist regarding allergy testing.