FULL REVIEW
Zinka
Zinc Oxide Cream
Even the best sunscreen won't stop all the sun's harmful rays from reaching your skin.  In fact sunscreens don't block the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays, they absorb them.  Sunblocks, creams that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, actually block the suns ray's from reaching your skin.  (Though truth be told no sunscreen or sunblock creates a total barrier.)

Physicians are increasingly recommending that people stay out of direct sunlight altogether, and when they can't do that, use sunblocks instead of sunscreens.  Unfortunately, finding a sunblock that goes on smoothly and with a minimum of greasiness while blending into the skin can be difficult. 

I searched for a while before I found Zinka zinc oxide cream.  Children of the '80s will remember Zinka.  Lifeguards and hipsters used to smear the colorful versions under their eyes and on their noses as much to look cool -- times were different then -- as to protect themselves from the sun.  Zinka still makes a rainbow of colors, skin tones and even a clear version.

I like to use Zinka when I'm going to be out on the water all day.  The first time I used it a couple of months ago was kind of funny.  I bought a tube of blue Zinka, thinking I might use it in a Halloween costume and then actually needed it on an intensely sunny day when I was touring the Panama Canal on a boat.

I smeared a glob on my face and was horrified.  I looked like a Smurf, and it didn't look like it was going to blend in at all.  Fortunately, a little extra rubbing and it blended into my skin and vanished.  Zinka is cool because it's water proof.  Once you put it on -- if you don't sweat too profusely -- you're pretty much stuck with it until you use soap and water to wash it off. 

In addition to coating your face, Zinka is great for touching up the spots that burn when you're in the sun.  I always use it on my nose, eartips and cheeks. 

One final note: Zinka smells like coconut.  If you don't mind smelling faintly like a pina colada give it a try.

Click HERE if you want to read an excellent article that demystifies sunscreen and sunblocks.



Retailer Relationship Disclosure
RuggedReviews.com is compensated by retailers when you purchase gear using their links.  Retailers do not influence the reviews.  Unless otherwise noted, the reviewer purchased the reviewed gear using his own money.
Reviewed by Larry Richardson
June 2010
TERMS OF USE
Users of RuggedReviews.com agree that this site is for informational purposes only.  Users agree the owner of this site is not liable for content errors or the performance of product vendors and/or their products or damage to property, injuries or death that my occur from their use. 

Copyright 2010 Larry Richardson
RuggedReviews.com Logo
Dermatologists are advising people to use sunblocks instead of sunscreens to prevent damage from harmful UVA and UVB rays.  Zinka sunblock is great because it has zinc oxide that blocks the sun.  It goes on smoothly, and even the colorful versions can be blended into your skin.  I use it when I'm going out on the water.  It's waterproof, so it stays on when most other sunscreens dissolve away.