Altruist was founded by consultant dermatologist and skin cancer specialist Dr. Andrew Birnie, with one mission: to make high-quality sun protection affordable and accessible to everyone. Every Altruist product offers broad-spectrum protection with the maximum 5-star UVA rating, is hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and free from microplastics. On top of that, for every product sold we donate sunscreen to children with albinism in Africa, where access to sun protection can be lifesaving.

Yes. All Altruist sunscreens are specifically formulated for sensitive skin. They are hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic (won't clog pores), fragrance-free and tested under dermatological control. This makes them suitable for acne-prone skin, rosacea, eczema and skin undergoing isotretinoin treatment. The formulas are also gentle enough for babies from 6 months and can be applied around the eyes without stinging. For oily or acne-prone skin we specifically recommend our Oily Skin Cream SPF 50, designed with a lightweight, mattifying texture.

The difference is smaller than most people think. SPF 30 blocks about 96.7% of UVB rays, while SPF 50 blocks about 98.3%. Both Altruist formulations carry the maximum 5-star UVA rating, so UVA protection is identical. For daily use in the city or on cloudy days, SPF 30 is usually sufficient. For longer sun exposure such as beach holidays, mountain sports, or for very sensitive, fair or sun-damaged skin, we recommend SPF 50. The most important factor is not the SPF number, but applying enough sunscreen and reapplying every 2 hours.

Altruist is formulated to be as ocean-friendly as possible. Our sunscreens do not contain oxybenzone or octinoxate — the two UV filters most commonly linked to coral reef damage and banned in places like Hawaii and parts of Mexico. We also avoid microplastics in our formulas. Please note that there is no globally agreed legal definition of "reef-safe", so we prefer to be transparent about what's in (and not in) our products rather than rely on a marketing label. You can find the full ingredient list on every product page.

Most people apply far too little sunscreen, which significantly reduces protection. The dermatological guideline is around 2 milligrams per square centimetre of skin. In practice this means: a generous teaspoon (about 5 ml) for the face and neck, and around 30 to 35 ml — roughly a shot glass — for the whole body. Apply 15 to 20 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every 2 hours, as well as immediately after swimming, sweating or towel-drying. Don't forget commonly missed spots like the ears, the back of the neck, the tops of the feet and the hairline.