Our Story Started On A Roof

Catchin’ Rays began under the New Zealand sun — twelve years of long days working as a roofer, grabbing whatever sunscreen was nearby and never questioning it. Like most people, I assumed if it was sold on a shelf, it must be fine.

That changed once I started paying attention to what was actually in those products — and how little transparency there often was. I began using less, leaning on zinc when I needed protection, and becoming more conscious of what I was putting on my skin.

Then It Became Personal

The day our son was born, everything came into focus. Fair-skinned, light-haired, and born for the outdoors, he made me rethink sun care completely.

I wanted to protect him from burning; but I also wanted to protect him from the chemical sunscreens we see on the shelves.

What I found were sunscreens padded out with preservatives, stabilizers, and additives, often without full ingredient disclosure.

So we stopped looking...

and started making.

Built on three principles

Sourced from Nature

Made from simple, whole ingredients your skin will be thankful for. Nothing synthetic, nothing you can’t pronounce, just nature doing what it does best.

Ocean Friendly

Our formula leaves no trace in the water - no chemical UV filters, no microplastics, nothing that harms reefs or marine life. Safe for waves, wildlife, and wherever your adventures take you.

Good to your skin

Non-nano zinc shields, while beef tallow nourishes deeply, supporting your skin’s natural barrier instead of stripping it. Strong, hydrated, healthy skin - built for life outdoors.

Ingredients, with intention

Every ingredient in Catchin' Rays is chosen with intent. We use time-tested ingredients that work with your skin, not against it. The result is simple, functional protection made for long days outdoors.

Ingredients & benefits

Grass-fed beef tallow
Rich in skin-compatible fatty acids, tallow closely mirrors the structure of human skin. It helps strengthen the skin barrier, lock in moisture, and keep skin comfortable in sun, wind, and salt.
Non-nano zinc oxide (25%)
Provides broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection by sitting on the surface of the skin and reflecting UV rays, rather than being absorbed into the body.
Beeswax
Creates a natural protective layer that helps the balm stay put, improves water resistance, and shields the skin from wind and dehydration.
Natural plant oils
Selected for their stability and nourishing properties, they soften the balm and support hydration without oxidising or irritating the skin.

Made for skin — and for the sea

As an ocean lover, protecting the places that give us food, calm, and perspective isn’t optional — it’s part of the responsibility.

We use non-nano zinc oxide, the only form of UV protection shown not to contribute to coral bleaching. We also stay well clear of seed oils — highly processed, often inflammatory, and commonly extracted using petrochemical solvents like hexane. That’s not something we want on our bodies, or washing back into the water.

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FAQ

We keep it simple: beef tallow, non-nano zinc oxide (25%), beeswax, coconut oil, and cocoa butter. That’s it. No seed oils, no synthetic fragrances, no preservatives, and no chemicals. Every ingredient is natural, skin-supporting, and even edible, so you always know exactly what you’re putting on your body.

Beef tallow is incredibly close to our skin’s own natural oils, which makes it deeply nourishing and highly bioavailable. It strengthens your skin barrier, keeps moisture in, and supports healthy, resilient skin, making it ideal for people who spend time outdoors.

Non-nano zinc particles are large enough that they sit on top of the skin rather than being absorbed into your bloodstream. They provide broad-spectrum UV protection by reflecting UV light, not reacting with your skin - safer for you, and safer for the ocean.

Yes. Our balm uses edible-grade ingredients with no chemicals, no preservatives, and no synthetic fragrances. It’s gentle enough for sensitive skin and young kids, but strong enough to handle full days in the sun.

The natural version has a mild cacao scent. Although every-ones sense of smell differs greatly, some people may pick up the scent of tallow more then others. If you choose the peppermint version, it has a subtle, refreshing mint smell.