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The Long, Bright
History of Sun Care

Sunscreen as we know it is a relatively recent invention, but people have been protecting themselves from the sun for thousands of years. Here’s what came before Clair Obscur.

2000 BC
image of The Power of the Earth's Minerals

The Power of the Earth's Minerals

500-400 BC
image of Earliest Uses of Zinc Oxide

Earliest Uses of Zinc Oxide

1st-14th Century
image of Hats, Shade, and Innovative Ingredients

Hats, Shade, and Innovative Ingredients

16th-19th Century
image of Victorian Fashions and Hints of Sun Damage

Victorian Fashions and Hints of Sun Damage

1920-1940
image of Tans Get Trendy—and a French Chemist Begins Key Research

Tans Get Trendy—and a French Chemist Begins Key Research

1940-1950
image of WWII Leads to New Sun Habits and Products

WWII Leads to New Sun Habits and Products

1970s
image of Chemical SPFs and Rising Public Awareness

Chemical SPFs and Rising Public Awareness

1980s
image of Beach Culture Embraces Sunscreen

Beach Culture Embraces Sunscreen

2005-2013
image of UVA-Blocking Textiles Introduced

UVA-Blocking Textiles Introduced

2018-2019
image of Broad Spectrum SPF Goes Mainstream

Broad Spectrum SPF Goes Mainstream

2021 –
image of The Future of Sun Care Is Here

The Future of Sun Care Is Here

head resting on shoulder

Changing the sun care status quo

The Broad Spectrum

Sun obsessions around the world

Explore some of the ways we interact with and celebrate the sun in unique and spectacular ways.

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Blog

Learn more about the latest sun protection tips and trends from our research.

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