What is the white stuff that Aussie lifeguards, surfers and athletes put on their noses? Is it a sunblock?

Question

You see this all the time in movies and TV. Sometimes cricketers use it and sometimes it can also be found on their cheekbones. Where can it be bought? What brands are well-known? If it's a sunblock, is it more effective than regular sunblock? Does it also reduce glare?

Answer 1

Zinc Oxide.

Used to be you would see lifeguards with white noses - in the "old days" zinc oxide was only available in white. It is now manufactured in a way that makes it clear on the skin. Its a great way to get both UVA and UVB protection, and you don't want to risk your skin by using a product that does not protect against both.

In Australia you might use Blue Lizard:

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B0...

Answer 2

The purpose of the stripes is to reflect light so that your job is not compromised by the glare of the sun. By reducing the glare, you're able to see better without needing to squint as much. This helps many people; life guards, military, athletes, etc.

Answer 3

no need to get fancy with this about all this glare and etc. its simple zinc from the supermarket in the sunscreen section it basically provides a 100% resistant barrier to the sun, good stuff!!

Answer 4

zinc cream

just google for the rest

Answer 5

It's called Zinc.

Zinc oxide is used as a white pigment in watercolours or paints, and as an activator in the rubber industry. As an over-the-counter ointment, it is applied as a thin coating on the exposed skin of the face or nose to prevent dehydration of the area of skin. It can protect against sunburn in the summer and windburn in the winter. Applied thinly to a baby's diaper area (perineum) with each diaper change, it can protect against rash. As determined in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, it is part of an effective treatment for age-related macular degeneration in some cases.