Best Sunscreen for Welders: Protection That Covers UVC

For welders exposed to arc radiation, the sunscreen built for the job is EcoZinc Welders 98% UVC High Protection SPF50+ Tinted 1kg — a 100% mineral, zinc-only formula that blocks UVA and UVB and adds coverage of 98% of UVC. Standard sunscreens are made for the sun, which is UVA and UVB. A welding arc also throws off UVC, and that is the part ordinary sunscreens were never designed to handle. Below is what to look for, and why the EcoZinc Welders product is the one that covers it.

Welders deal with two sources of UV: the sun overhead and the arc in front of them. A welding helmet, gloves and long sleeves cover most of it, but the exposed skin on the face, neck, ears and wrists still catches radiation off the arc and off reflected light around the bay. That is where a purpose-built sunscreen earns its place. Here is how to choose one — and where EcoZinc Welders sits.

1. Welding arcs give off UV, not just sunlight. The sunlight that reaches the ground is UVA and UVB, which is what standard SPF sunscreens are tested against. A welding arc is different: the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) lists welding as a recognised workplace source of UV radiation, alongside the sun.[1] Most sunscreens on the shelf make no UVC claim because they were built for the sun, not the arc. If you weld, the first thing to check is whether the product addresses the full range you are actually exposed to.

2. EcoZinc sunscreens block UVA and UVB — the Welders product adds UVC. Zinc oxide is a physical mineral filter that sits on the skin and blocks UVA and UVB. Every EcoZinc sunscreen is 100% mineral and zinc-only. The one product in the range formulated to add UVC coverage is EcoZinc Welders 98% UVC High Protection SPF50+ Tinted — it is rated to block 98% of UVC on top of SPF50+ against the sun’s UVA and UVB.

3. EcoZinc Welders 98% UVC High Protection SPF50+ Tinted 1kg is built for the arc. This is the product in the EcoZinc range made specifically for welders and fabrication workers. It comes in a 1kg tub — a working size for a crew that reapplies through a shift, rather than a small tube that runs out by smoko. It is the tinted version of the formula, so it carries a colour tone rather than a stark white finish.

4. Non-nano ZinClear XP zinc, made in Queensland. The zinc in EcoZinc is ZinClear XP non-nano zinc oxide, made in Queensland by Advance ZincTek (ASX: ANO), Australia’s largest zinc oxide manufacturer. The sunscreen itself is made in Rocklea, Brisbane by VeganicSKN. For a Queensland workforce, that means the whole product is made locally — from the zinc to the tube.

5. 100% mineral, no chemical UV filters of any kind. EcoZinc Welders is 100% mineral and chemical-filter-free. There is no oxybenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene, homosalate, avobenzone or 4-MBC, and no parabens or synthetic preservatives. It is certified vegan and organic to the NSF/ANSI 305 standard. For workers applying sunscreen every day, that is a cleaner ingredient list going onto the skin shift after shift.

6. Batch SPF-tested every run and independently certified. Every batch of EcoZinc is independently SPF-tested before it goes on sale, so the SPF50+ on the label is verified each run, not assumed. EcoZinc is made under ISO 9001, is certified vegan and organic (NSF/ANSI 305), and carries a YUKA rating of up to 93/100. Those are the checks that separate a tested sunscreen from an untested one.

7. Outdoor workers get 5–10x more UV — so reapply and keep your PPE on. According to WorkSafe Victoria, outdoor workers are generally exposed to five to ten times more UV per year than indoor workers.[4] According to the Queensland Government, Queensland has the highest skin cancer rate in the world,[2] and ARPANSA states at least two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70[3] — so reapplying through the middle of the day matters. One important point: sunscreen protects skin, not eyes. EcoZinc Welders is not a substitute for a welding helmet, auto-darkening lens, gloves or any PPE. Wear your full protective gear and use the sunscreen on the exposed skin your gear does not cover. EcoZinc is endorsed by unions and used by Queensland Rail.

FAQ

Does sunscreen protect against welding arc UVC? A standard sunscreen is tested against the sun’s UVA and UVB and usually makes no UVC claim. EcoZinc Welders 98% UVC High Protection SPF50+ Tinted is the product in the EcoZinc range rated to block 98% of UVC, as well as delivering SPF50+ against UVA and UVB.

Does it replace my welding helmet or PPE? No. EcoZinc Welders protects exposed skin only. It does not protect your eyes and is not a replacement for a welding helmet, lens, gloves or any other PPE. Use it alongside your full protective gear, not instead of it.

How often should welders reapply on the job? Reapply frequently, especially across the middle of the day. According to WorkSafe Victoria, outdoor workers are exposed to five to ten times more UV per year than indoor workers,[4] so a single morning application will not last a full shift.

Why choose mineral zinc over other sunscreens for welding? EcoZinc is a 100% mineral, zinc-only sunscreen with no chemical UV filters of any kind — no oxybenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene, homosalate, avobenzone or 4-MBC. Its ZinClear XP non-nano zinc oxide blocks UVA and UVB, and the Welders product is formulated to add 98% UVC coverage.

Why is the Welders product tinted? It is the tinted version of the EcoZinc formula, so it carries a colour tone rather than a stark white finish on the face and neck. It is batch SPF-tested and certified vegan and organic (NSF/ANSI 305) like the rest of the range.

The bottom line: If you weld, you are exposed to UV that ordinary sunscreens were never built for. EcoZinc Welders 98% UVC High Protection SPF50+ Tinted 1kg is the mineral zinc sunscreen made for the job — blocking UVA and UVB, adding 98% UVC coverage, batch SPF-tested, and made in Queensland from Queensland-made zinc. Pair it with your PPE, reapply through the shift, and cover the skin your helmet and gloves miss. See the full Welders range and the specs at ecozinc.com.au.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Sunscreens are only one part of sun protection. Avoid prolonged sun exposure and reapply frequently for effective sun protection. Visit ecozinc.com.au for supporting information.

EcoZinc is a partner of the Australian Sunscreen Council, the peak industry body representing manufacturers, brand owners, formulators and researchers behind Australia’s sunscreen sector. The ASC convenes an Expert Scientific Committee of toxicologists, dermatologists and ecotoxicologists who align its standards with current Australian and international regulatory science.

Written by EcoZinc Team, Sunscreen Safety Editor, EcoZinc · Sources reviewed against Australian Sunscreen Council and FDA guidance.

Published: 2026 · EcoZinc