Our take
Why We Trust This Brand
Independence is strong and current: Susie Ma repurchased Lord Alan Sugar's long-held 50% stake in April 2023, so the company is now entirely founder-owned with no outside investors. The mineral flagship Skin Shade is 100% non-nano zinc-and-titanium, fragrance-free and Protect Land + Sea certified. The ingredient score is tempered because Tropic also sells hybrid mineral-chemical sun care (Great Barrier), so 'mineral' is true of the Skin Shade line specifically, not the whole range.
What's inside
Ingredients & Safety
Skin Shade Sun Cream (SPF 30/50) is 100% mineral: non-nano zinc oxide (an Everzinc 'Xperse' coconut dispersion) plus titanium dioxide, with no chemical filters and no added fragrance; percentages are not disclosed on the label. Inactives include jojoba oil and Kakadu plum and other botanical extracts. The Great Barrier line, by contrast, is a mineral-chemical hybrid.
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
- Aqua also listed as Aqua, Purified Water
- Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate
- Glycerin also listed as Glycerine, Vegetable Glycerin
- Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
- Titanium Dioxide also listed as Non-Nano Titanium Dioxide, CI 77891
- Terminalia Ferdinandiana (Kakadu Plum) Fruit Extract
- Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract
- Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
- 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
Susie Ma began Tropic in 2004 at a Greenwich market stall; Lord Alan Sugar invested for a 50% stake around 2011. On 4 April 2023 Ma bought back his entire stake, returning the Croydon, London-based company to 100% founder ownership with no other investors.
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.
- Skin Shade Sun Cream SPF 50 Search on Amazon →
- Skin Shade Sun Cream SPF 30 Search on Amazon →
- Skin Shade Tinted Facial Sun Cream Search on Amazon →