Sun care has always been essential, but in 2025, it's not just about protection - it's about self-expression, skin health, and sustainability. One rising trend that checks all those boxes is the coloured zinc sunscreen.
Once seen only on lifeguards and surfers in neon stripes, coloured zinc sunscreens are now making waves in everyday skincare routines. From fashion influencers to outdoor athletes, more people are ditching the chalky white cast and opting for fun, functional colour blocks that protect and pop.
So what exactly is coloured zinc sunscreen, and why is it such a huge trend in 2025? Let’s dive in.
What is Coloured Zinc Sunscreen?
Coloured zinc sunscreen is a mineral-based sunblock that uses zinc oxide for UV protection, but with an added twist - tint and colour pigments are mixed in to give it personality and style.
These sunscreens are usually thick and visibly tinted, allowing wearers to apply them in bold stripes, blend them across the face as a tinted base, or use them to express their individuality. Some products offer subtle skin-tone matches, while others come in vivid shades like pink, blue, green, or yellow.
But don’t let the fun colours fool you - this isn’t just about aesthetics. These sunscreens are serious sun protection tools packed with clean ingredients, reef-safe formulas, and long-lasting wear.
Why Are They Trending in 2025?
Here’s why the coloured zinc sunscreen trend is exploding this year:
1. Function Meets Fashion
Skincare is no longer just about function - it’s an extension of personal style. Coloured zinc sunscreen lets people protect their skin while expressing their mood or personality.
Whether you're matching your sunscreen to your swimsuit, festival outfit, or just standing out at the beach, coloured zinc brings creative flair to an everyday ritual.
2. Social Media Influence
TikTok and Instagram influencers have made coloured zinc sunscreen a viral beauty staple. Skincare enthusiasts, surfers, makeup artists, and even kids are posting fun “get ready with me” videos that feature bright zinc stripes.
With so many creators talking about it, coloured zinc has become part of the “cool skincare club.”
3. Increased Awareness of UV Protection
People today are more educated about sun damage than ever. Melanoma rates are on the rise, especially in sunny regions throughout Australia. But applying sunscreen daily can feel like a chore.
Coloured zinc sunscreens make it more fun and visually obvious where you’ve applied protection - especially great for children or during long sun exposure at the beach, festivals, or sports events.
4. Better Formulas & Shades
In the past, coloured sunscreens were greasy, heavy, and hard to remove. In 2025, brands have nailed the formula, offering lightweight but long-lasting sticks and creams that glide on smoothly, resist sweat and water, and don’t clog pores.
You can now find coloured zinc sunscreen in a wide range of hues, tones, and textures - from pastel mattes to neon glosses.
How Does It Work?
Coloured zinc sunscreens work like traditional zinc oxide sunscreens but with added cosmetic-grade iron oxides or mineral pigments.
- Zinc oxide: A physical blocker that reflects UVA and UVB rays
- Colour pigments: Offer skin-tone tinting or vibrant colour for visibility and fun
- Base oils/waxes: Create a smooth, stay-put texture that won’t run when you sweat or swim
The zinc sits on top of the skin rather than absorbing into it, which makes it ideal for sensitive, acne-prone, and reactive skin types.
Clean Beauty Meets Skin Health
Today’s conscious consumers care about what’s in their products. Most top coloured zinc sunscreens are:
- Reef-safe (no oxybenzone or octinoxate)
- Paraben-free and fragrance-free
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores)
- Tested for sensitive skin
Many also include skin-nourishing ingredients like:
- Coconut oil
- Beeswax or candelilla wax
- Vitamin E
- Shea butter
- Sunflower seed oil
So, while you’re blocking the sun, you’re also nourishing your skin.
Who Is Coloured Zinc Sunscreen For?
Everyone! But especially:
Surfers and Water Sports Enthusiasts
Long-lasting, sweat- and water-resistant, and won’t wash off mid-wave.
Festival Goers
Doubles as UV protection and face paint. Practical and stylish.
Parents of Young Kids
Easier to apply, more fun for children, and you can see where you’ve applied it.
Makeup-Free Beauty Lovers
Use a skin-tone matched coloured zinc as a tinted moisturiser + SPF.
Outdoor Workers & Hikers
Reliable protection without the hassle of reapplying runny creams.
Pros of Using Coloured Zinc Sunscreen
- Visible protection - no missed spots
- More fun = more likely to use it daily
- Physical (not chemical) UV barrier
- Safe for oceans and reefs
- Doubles as a style statement
- Often better for reactive or breakout-prone skin
- Doesn’t melt in the sun like lotion
How to Remove It
Coloured zinc sticks and creams are designed to stay on all day, which means you need to properly cleanse at the end of the day.
Use:
- Micellar water or oil-based cleanser to break down the product
- Follow up with a gentle foaming cleanser
- Use a soft cloth or cotton round - no scrubbing required!
Final Thoughts: Why You Should Try It
In 2025, coloured zinc sunscreen isn't just a product - it's a skincare revolution. It combines serious UV protection with fun, expression, and clean ingredients. Whether you're at the beach, on the field, or at a summer party, this trend is here to stay.
So ditch the boring white lotion and embrace a sunscreen that protects and lets you shine. Your skin - and your selfies - will thank you.