Our take
Why We Trust This Brand
Independence is solid: a founder-run, plastic-free brand with no outside capital found. On ingredients it offers the highest non-nano zinc of our set (24.5%) with no chemical filters and a USDA Biobased certification. We hold the ingredient score at 8 rather than higher because it is scented with natural essential oils (cinnamon-leaf and manuka), which are meaningful allergens for some users. Its exact HQ city could not be pinned down beyond Southern California.
What's inside
Ingredients & Safety
Surfer's Barrier Stick SPF 30: zinc oxide 24.5%, non-nano and non-coated, with no chemical filters (the SPF 50 stick adds about 6% non-nano titanium dioxide). Scented with natural manuka oil, cinnamon-leaf oil and vanilla, so not fragrance-free. USDA Certified 100% Biobased.
Certifications
No listed ingredient is currently on our watch or caution list. This finding applies only to the ingredient list shown below and may not cover every product, variant, market, or reformulation.
Ingredient List Reviewed
- Non-Nano Non-Coated Zinc Oxide 24.5%
- Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil
- Cera Alba (Beeswax)
- Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
- Leptospermum Scoparium (Manuka) Oil
- Cinnamomum Zeylanicum (Cinnamon) Leaf Oil
- Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
- Tocopherol also listed as Vitamin E
Formula scope: the disclosed ingredient list captured for this review. Formulas can differ by product, scent, country, and date; compare the current package with this list before deciding.
Want another top-tier option? Stream2Sea in Sunscreen & Sun Care currently meets our top criteria. Review its formula scope and cited records before deciding.
Who owns it
Ownership & Independence
Avasol was founded around 2010 by Chris Wilkinson, a Southern California surfer/waterman, and remains an independent, founder-owned company; no funding, private-equity, or acquisition activity was found. The exact headquarters city is unconfirmed beyond Southern California.
Where to buy
Key Products
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Check the exact formula, size, seller, and availability on Amazon. Search links show results that may include other brands. Links open in a new tab.
- Surfer's Barrier Stick SPF 30 Search on Amazon →
- Surfer's Barrier Stick SPF 50 Search on Amazon →
- Environmental Defense Tinted Cream Search on Amazon →