Clean mineral SPF. One ingredient. Launching soon.
Reserve your first bottle for €5 — applied to your order at dispatch.
Why Cairn is different
One active ingredient
Zinc oxide is the only UV filter. No oxybenzone, avobenzone, or chemical cocktails. What you see is what protects you.
No titanium dioxide
Most mineral SPFs blend in TiO₂ to cut costs. We don't. Zinc alone gives broader UVA protection and sits gentler on sensitive skin.
Built for the Irish climate
Formulated for everyday wear in variable weather — not just beach days. Lightweight, minimal white cast, works under moisturiser or makeup.
Designed to live under your makeup.
Most sunscreens feel like a separate step you tolerate. Cairn is formulated to feel like part of your routine — invisible under foundation, comfortable under concealer, reliable under powder.
Makeup-friendly finish
Dries to a smooth, satin-matte base that grips foundation and concealer without pilling or sliding. No silicone flashback in photos.
60-second blend time
Absorbs quickly into a weightless layer. Apply moisturiser, then Cairn, then makeup — no waiting between steps.
No pilling, no peeling
Zinc oxide sits gently on the skin surface without interacting with serums or creams underneath. It stays put all day.
From Irish soil, hands, and weather — not a marketing line.
Every part of Cairn is made within the 32 counties. Our zinc is milled in Cork. Our tubes are pressed in Mayo. Our formula is bench-tested in a Dublin lab by a cosmetic chemist who grew up here, in the rain, squinting at the rare sun.
- Co. CorkZinc oxide milling & blending
- Co. WicklowCold-pressed oat lipid extract
- Co. MayoAluminium tube manufacturing
- Co. DublinFormulation lab & QC testing
- Co. GalwayRecycled-card outer packaging
- Co. KerryFulfilment & shipping
What's inside
- No titanium dioxide
- No oxybenzone
- No fragrance
- No parabens
- No nanoparticles
Eight claims. Every one of them honest.
The same standards a clinical brand would put on the back of a tube — said plainly on the front.
Three steps. Atlantic-tested.
Two fingers, full coverage
Squeeze a line along your index and middle finger. That's the dose for a face and neck — measured, not guessed.
Press, don't rub
Warm between palms and press into the skin. Zinc protects from the first moment — no 20-minute wait like chemical filters.
Reapply every two hours
Irish light is sneakier than it looks. UV cuts through cloud, sea spray, and the breeze on a Donegal headland.
The science behind zinc oxide
Zinc oxide isn't a trend — it's one of the most clinically validated sunscreen actives in dermatology. Decades of peer-reviewed research confirm its safety and efficacy.
Microfine zinc oxide as a photostable UVA/UVB sunblock agent
Demonstrated that microfine ZnO provides stable, broad-spectrum protection across both UVA and UVB wavelengths without the photodegradation seen in organic filters.
In vivo and in vitro assessment of UVA protection by sunscreen formulations containing microfine ZnO
Confirmed that zinc oxide's UVA-blocking capability matches or exceeds organic chemical filters, with superior photostability over repeated UV exposure.
Outdoor testing of SPF50+ sunscreen (double-blind, split-face, RCT)
A randomised controlled trial showing statistically significant photoprotection in real-world conditions — lab ratings hold up under actual sun exposure.
Evaluation of sunscreen product vs reference standards P3/P5/P8
Validated that zinc-oxide-based SPF formulations perform consistently against international reference standards for both UVB and UVA protection.
Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles — safety and efficacy review
A meta-analysis confirming zinc oxide nanoparticles remain on the skin surface without systemic absorption, supporting its long-standing safety profile.
Sun-protection factor of zinc-oxide sunscreens — in vivo evaluation
In vivo testing shows zinc-oxide sunscreens outperform lab-predicted SPF ratings, delivering stronger real-world protection than standardised bench tests suggest.
From the people already wearing it.
"First SPF I've worn every day without my rosacea flaring up. It actually disappears into my skin — no chalky cast."
Reserve your first tube
Secure your spot with a one-off €5 reservation fee. Ships summer 2026. Choose a subscription below to lock in a founding discount on every tube after launch — the reservation fee is separate and not subject to discount.
A fresh tube every month, 15% off every order. Pause or cancel anytime.
One tube every three months, 10% off every order. Pause or cancel anytime.
Subscription pricing will be confirmed before your first shipment. Today you'll only be charged the €5 reservation fee.
Common questions
We're targeting summer 2026. We'll email you at least two weeks before dispatch with confirmation and the option to cancel.