Introducing Le Rub: Your New Favourite Suncare Brand

Ski season is fast approaching, and when it comes to caring for your skin on the slopes, SPF is non-negotiable. At higher altitudes, the thinner atmosphere allows more UV rays to penetrate, while the reflective snow surface significantly amplifies sun exposure. However, while shielding your skin is essential, it shouldn’t compromise your complexion or overall skin health—a belief at the heart of Le Rub.

Le Rub is a luxury suncare brand on a mission to revolutionise the suncare market. It was founded by siblings Kim Maes, a former make-up artist, and Raf Maes, an experienced brand builder, who were inspired to create Le Rub after feeling unsatisfied with many of the suncare products on the market. They found that most chemical sunscreens take time to become effective and contain ingredients that can damage marine life and corals. Chemical sunscreens can also be absorbed into the bloodstream, potentially disrupting the hormone balance. As for mineral sunscreens, they discovered some are known to contain nano particles which can be absorbed into the bloodstream. They can also have a thick, sticky texture that not only blocks natural vitamin D production but can leave behind an unflattering white cast.

So, the siblings took all the things they hated about the current sunscreen landscape and set out to design products that do things differently. By combining non-nano zinc oxide sun protection with hero natural ingredients, they were able to produce safe and effective suncare that boasts all the health-boosting benefits of skincare.

Working with leading skincare scientists at the Le Rub laboratory in Italy, the brand has developed dermatologist-approved formulas that are invisible, lightweight, and offer immediate protection from UV exposure. The brand also collaborated with renowned natural perfumer Emily L’Ami of Bodha to create distinctive, Mediterranean-inspired scents for its products. The fresh and floral fragrance notes of Le Rub include Italian tomato leaf, atlas cedarwood, orange blossom absolute, and incense.

The hero ingredient in the Le Rub range is non-nano zinc oxide, which forms a physical barrier on the skin’s surface, reflecting and scattering UV radiation, without penetrating the skin or damaging the environment. Other ingredients include almond oil, a natural antioxidant, rich in vitamins E, A, C, and D, that protects from UV rays and other environmental stressors; grape ferment extract, which stimulates the body’s natural vitamin D receptors (VDR) and production of the active form of vitamin D; glycerin, to help soften and protect the skin’s natural barrier; and hyaluronic acid, to hydrate and retain moisture.

The Le Rub collection currently includes five products: Everyday Sunscreen SPF 30 for the face, All-Day Sunscreen for the body, Repairing Face Mask, Sunset Serum, and Repairing Lotion. All products are vegan, cruelty-free, and made in Italy using locally sourced Mediterranean ingredients to minimise emissions, support local agriculture, reduce environmental impact, and ensure the highest standards of quality.

Le Rub products are priced between £44 and £49 and are available online at lerub.com and contentbeautywellbeing.com. The brand is currently not available in the US.