Nobody reads the certificate.

When you look for someone to make sunscreen in India, you get a lot of advice. One line stayed with us.

Early in the search, we were looking at a result that fell short of the number we wanted on the tube. One of the manufacturers we spoke to told us, kindly, not to worry. “Print the higher number. Nobody reads the certificate. People only read the tube.” We didn't go forward with them.

They're right about one thing. Almost nobody reads the certificate.

That is the whole problem. Last year, tests found popular sunscreens in India giving far less protection than their labels said. (source) Most buyers had no way to know. Families trusted the tube. The tube was wrong.

So, in writing, again: the number on our tube will be the number on our certificate. Not “up to.” Not rounded up. If the lab says less than we hoped, we print less — or we go back and make it better.

A smaller number is harder to sell. We'd rather sell a true one.

— Aashish & Rishitha, 78 Labs