Our take
Why We Trust This Brand
Manda earns a high ingredient score for a genuinely simple, mineral-only formula: 20% non-nano zinc oxide plus edible organic ingredients and thanaka, with zero chemical filters or synthetic fragrance. It loses a point because the cinnamon essential oil can irritate sensitive skin and it isn't EWG-Verified. On independence it scores near the top, a small, surfer-founded brand we found no outside institutional capital for. Just know the paste applies thick and leaves a visible tinted layer by design.
What's inside
Ingredients & Safety
Sole active is 20% non-nano zinc oxide with no chemical UV filters. The base is ~70% organic (coconut oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, cacao, shea) plus thanaka bark powder for extra antioxidant benefit. It is not fragrance-free: it contains cinnamon essential oil, and the cacao gives a natural chocolate scent and brown tint that leaves a visible layer.
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 Zinc Oxide 20%
- Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil
- Organic Cera Alba (Beeswax)
- Organic Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter
- Thanaka
- Organic Theobroma Cacao (Cacao) Powder
- Organic Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
- Organic Cinnamomum (Cinnamon) Oil
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
Manda (Manda Naturals) was co-founded around 2016 by professional surfer/filmmaker Cyrus Sutton, who is also head formulator, alongside collaborators from the Korduroy.tv surf community. It remains a small, privately held independent brand; we found no venture funding or acquisition on record. Its exact headquarters is ambiguous, business databases list Encinitas, CA, while products are made in the Columbia River Gorge.
Where to buy
Key Products
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