The SPF Story
Two Decades of Dedication to Perfect Mineral Sun Protection
At drNC Skin, sun protection has never been an afterthought. It represents more than 20 years of commitment to developing high-performing, mineral-only SPF that protects skin while remaining elegant, wearable, and trustworthy.
From the beginning, Dr Natasha Cook believed that SPF should do more than protect, it should complement the skin while meeting the most rigorous testing standards in Australia.
Where It All Began
The drNC SPF Capsule began with the CC+ Cream SPF 30 Colour Correction.
Formulating started way back in 2007 when the obsession with a high SPF (30 and above) mineral only formulation with elegance and skincare worthy benefits began. At the time, mineral sunscreen technology was limited. Achieving SPF 30 chemical filter-free with mineral based sunscreen formulations i.e. Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide formulations was technically difficult, especially if you wanted to avoid the traditional white cast and maintain elegant on the skin.
After working on the formula for several years with Australia’s most stringent SPF testing facility, finally the CC+ Cream was launched. An elegant hydrating chemical filter-free mineral SPF 30 boosted with Niacinamide for added skincare benefits.
Curated in four adaptive tones aligned with Fitzpatrick skin types, allowing the SPF to blend more naturally with different complexions while maintaining reliable protection and claiming chemical filter-free.
At drNC innovation never stops. Dr Cook noticed the emergence of Zinc-only SPF 50 formulations appearing on the market. These products were lightweight, invisible, and cosmetically extremely elegant.
Dr Cook immediately contacted her chemists at the Australian facility, keen to get started on making her own formulation. However, when Dr Cook questioned the photobiology scientists at one of Australia’s most rigorous SPF testing facilities, she was told something surprising:
Achieving SPF 50 with mineral-only Zinc formulations particularly without a white cast was considered technically impossible under Australian testing standards.
Yet these products existed…
When Dr Cook challenged the discrepancy, she learned that many of these products had not been tested under Australian conditions, but rather in overseas testing facilities with different protocols and as it turned out not really following the appropriate protocols and ISO testing standards.
Some, quite simply, were not true SPF 50 by Australian standards.
For Dr Cook, this wasn’t acceptable.
The Mission: Create a True Mineral SPF 50
Determined to change this, Dr Cook returned to the formulation table.
Working alongside the same Australian testing facility that later contributed to CHOICE magazine’s investigation into SPF 50 sunscreens, the brief was clear. Create a sunscreen that was:
- Mineral only
- SPF 40+ (ideally 50)
- Cosmetically elegant
- Tinted and adaptive to multiple skin tones
- Able to pass Australia’s rigorous testing standards
It took 18 months of research and development but eventually, the breakthrough came. Dr Cook had done what many believed was impossible.
She created FaceShield TRUE 50. A mineral only Zinc and Titanium Dioxide SPF 50, formulated and tested in Australia, that successfully passed the country’s most rigorous testing facilities.
At that point the technology for a Zinc only SPF 50 was not there yet and Titanium Dioxide (also a mineral SPF ingredient) was needed to boost the formula to a level of 50 by adding more UVB protection.
Elegant. Protective. Trustworthy.
FaceShield quickly became a cornerstone of the drNC SPF Capsule. Today it exists in two variations:
FaceShield SPF 50
Invisible Tint, Matte Finish. Designed to deliver SPF 50 with skincare benefits. Made, formulated and tested in Australian facilities, passing Australian SPF standards.
FaceShield GLOW SPF 50
Radiant Skin Tint, Hydrating Dewy Finish. Designed to deliver SPF 50 with skincare benefits. Made, formulated and tested in Australian facilities, passing Australian SPF standards.
But Dr Cook wasn’t finished. Her next goal was even more ambitious.
To create a completely untinted invisible mineral sunscreen that could be used on both the face and body, while still achieving SPF 50 protection under Australian testing standards.
Again, she was told it would be extremely difficult but then came the breakthrough. Dr Cook discovered a new form of non-nano zinc technology from Germany, offering improved transparency and formulation potential.
After another 18–24 months of intensive research and development, the impossible happened again.
Introducing: SheerShield SPF 50
SheerShield SPF 50 became the next chapter in the drNC SPF Capsule. A zinc-only mineral sunscreen that is:
Elegant enough for everyday wear.
Powerful enough for the Australian sun.
THE drNC SPF CAPSULE
Today, drNC offers a complete mineral SPF Capsule designed for different needs and moments.
Tinted Face SPF
- FaceShield SPF 50 – Invisible Matte Finish
- FaceShield GLOW SPF 50 – Invisible Dewy Finish
- CC+ Cream SPF 30 – Colour Correction
Lip Protection
- LipShield SPF 30
Face + Body Protection
- SheerShield SPF 50 – A true invisible Zinc SPF 50
Because when it comes to skin longevity, nothing matters more than SPF you can trust.
Innovation never stops at drNC. We are always refining, improving, and exploring the future of mineral sun protection.
So, what do you think is coming next?
Learn With The Derm