Applying sunscreen should be an essential part of your morning routine – it protects your skin from harmful UV-A and UV-B rays, which can cause sun damage and skin cancer over time.
However, although dermatologists recommend wearing sun protection every day, a lot of sunscreens contain toxic chemicals that could have negative long-term effects on your health.
Switching to a natural, non-toxic sunscreen gives you peace of mind that you and your family are not unknowingly applying something that could be unhealthy or unsafe. Your skin will thank you for switching to a formulation with safer ingredients!
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Why Opt for a Non-Toxic Sunscreen?
There are two types of sunscreens: chemical sunscreen and mineral sunscreen. Chemical sunscreens contain ingredients that absorb the sun’s rays and prevent them from damaging your skin. Many studies have found that these ingredients pass into your bloodstream after a single use and can remain in your body for extended periods.
Although there is no evidence that chemical sunscreen causes harm, there is research that proves the negative health effects of some of its active ingredients. Other studies suggest that these ingredients harm marine life and contribute to coral bleaching.
Mineral sunscreen is a safe, non-toxic alternative that uses zinc oxide or titanium dioxide – both natural ingredients – to create a reflective barrier on the skin and protect it from the sun, without harming your health.
Our Top Picks for the Best Non-Toxic Sunscreen
Best for the whole family – All Good Sport Sunscreen
Best for young babies & toddlers – Pipette Mineral Sunscreen
Best tinted sunscreen for your face – Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint
Which Sunscreen Ingredients Should be Avoided?
Many of the following harmful ingredients can be found in conventional sunscreens. Make sure you avoid these common sunscreen toxins when shopping for non-toxic SPF products:
- Oxybenzone – excessive exposure to oxybenzone can cause skin irritation and hormone disruptions. It’s banned in Hawaii, Key West, and other coastal regions for its deadly effects on coral reefs and aquatic life too.
- Avobenzone – this chemical degrades when exposed to the sun, releasing harmful free radicals into your skin, which can cause skin cancer and sun damage.
- Octinoxate – this chemical is banned in many parts of the world for its risks to delicate marine ecosystems.
- Homosalate – studies associate homosalate with hormone disruption, which can be especially dangerous for pregnant women.
- PFAS – these ingredients are known as the “forever chemicals” that take hundreds of years to degrade, polluting the environment and posing many health risks. Avoid ingredients with “fluoro” in the name to stay clear of PFAS.
Things to Look for in a Natural Sunscreen
The safest non-toxic sunscreen should contain a combination of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (natural sun protection) and no chemical filters. Be sure to choose the sun protection factor (SPF) that best suits you and the environment you’re living in as well – SPF 15 blocks 93% of the sun’s rays, SPF 30 blocks 97%, and SPF 50 blocks 98%.
You can opt for safer sunscreens with antioxidants that help your skin repair itself after sun exposure, fragrance-free formulations for sensitive skin, tinted formulations for your face, and even baby-specific sunscreens.
Facial sunscreens are formulated to not clog up your pores, while sunscreen for sport is often water and sweat-resistant (mineral-based sunscreens should also be reef safe). Stock up on a few different natural sunscreens to suit your lifestyle, so you’re always protected from sun damage – no matter what the day brings!
Best Chemical-Free Sunscreen Brands
Chemical-free sunscreens use natural ingredients to reflect the sun and protect your skin. Here are some of our favorite products from the leading organic and non-toxic sunscreen brands.
All Good Mineral Sport Sunscreen
All Good’s mineral lotion is the least toxic sunscreen option for swimming and watersports, with reef-friendly ingredients that are safe for the marine environment, zero parabens, and no harmful additives.
This SPF 30 sunscreen contains coconut oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, buriti oil, and green tea to moisturize, nourish, and repair the skin.
Its non-greasy formulation leaves no white cast and is suitable for both your face and body.
Pipette Mineral Sunscreen
Pipette’s SPF 50 baby sunblock is formulated with reef-friendly non-nano zinc oxide and is perfect for sensitive skin.
It contains sugarcane-derived squalene to help it slide over the skin easily for quick and hassle-free applications on the beach, at home, or by the pool.
It’s fragrance-free, cruelty-free, hypoallergenic, and vegan, and offers powerful sun protection for the whole family.
Ilia Tinted Face Serum with SPF
Ilia’s SPF 40 face serum is the perfect middle ground between a tinted moisturizer and a powerful sun protector.
The serum comes in 30 shades to suit diverse skin tones and contains niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to soothe inflammation and reduce pore appearance.
It is silicone and oil-free for a weightless feeling and easy application, and has been clinically approved as non-comedogenic and suitable for sensitive skin.
Cloud Cover body sunscreen from Kinfield
This mineral body sunscreen from vegan brand Kinfield is a broad-spectrum SPF 35 lotion that keeps your skin safe outdoors.
It has a lightweight formulation that blends easily into all skin types and tones with no white cast. It also contains sea kelp and aloe to nourish your skin after a day in the sun.
Cloud Cover is water-resistant and reef-safe, making it the perfect companion for swimming, surfing, or a snorkeling adventure.
The Organic Pharmacy Cellular Protection Sunscreen
The Organic Pharmacy is a clean beauty company that makes pharmaceutical-grade skincare using natural ingredients and no dangerous chemicals.
Their SPF 30 mineral sunscreen harnesses the reflective properties of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide without giving your skin that telltale white cast.
It also contains rosehip oil, calendula, aloe vera, and shea butter to moisturize and nourish your skin.
Mineral Sunscreen from Attitude Living
Attitude Living shows its commitment to reducing plastic waste with a plastic-free mineral sunscreen stick that comes in a 100% recyclable cardboard tube.
These sunscreens are dermatologically tested and fragrance-free, with various options for sensitive skin, kids, and those wanting a subtle tint.
The SPF 30 formulation is hypoallergenic, vegan, non-greasy, reef-safe, and packaged in small containers perfect for traveling or on-the-go applications.
Self-Reflect Sunscreen from Kinship
The best non-toxic face sunscreen for people with blemish-prone skin, this product from Kinship has a breakout-free formula. It contains plant-based probiotics that strengthen the skin’s protective barrier and promote a healthy, glowing complexion.
This award-winning sunscreen with SPF 32 works well on its own or as a primer under your foundation. Plus, the tube is made from 50% recycled plastic – a bonus in our books!
Jason® Family Sunscreen
This SPF 45, non-harmful sunscreen from Jason® is perfect for active families who need all-day sun protection for hiking, biking, boating, and sports.
This reef-safe sunscreen contains no toxic ingredients like oxybenzone, octinoxate, parabens, or synthetic fragrances and is not tested on animals.
The water-resistant formula can resist splashes and sweat for up to 80 minutes and contains no eye-stinging ingredients for tear-free, family-approved sun protection.
Sheer Sunscreen from Annmarie
Annmarie’s sheer sunscreen is a hypoallergenic, non-toxic moisturizer with SPF 20.
This serum contains buriti fruit and pumpkin seed oils that nourish your skin with vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and essential fatty acids.
Its reef-friendly formulation uses non-nano zinc oxide to protect your skin from UV-A and UV-B rays and is suitable for all skin types.
Baby Sunscreen from Thinkbaby
One of the best choices of non-toxic sunscreen for babies, this natural product by Thinkbaby provides maximum sun protection with a gentle, hypoallergenic formula suitable for your little one’s delicate skin.
This SPF 50 sunscreen is fast-absorbing and suitable for daily use with no chemical scents. Its creamy texture leaves no oily residue, making quick applications easier and preventing oily marks on bathing suits and bottles.
Thinkbaby sunscreens are Leaping Bunny certified and produced in the USA. They’re also vegan, reef-safe, and water-resistant.
Kids’ Mineral Sunscreen from Badger
This SPF 40 kid’s mineral sunscreen from Badger® contains 98% organic ingredients and is GMO-free.
It’s dermatologically approved, hypoallergenic, and safe for sensitive young skin.
Badger’s® reef-friendly formulations contain zero synthetic chemicals and a clean label with only nine natural ingredients!
Sunflower oil, jojoba, and beeswax provide the perfect base for a naturally moisturizing, antioxidant-rich lotion your kids will love.
Sun Serum from Eleven by Venus Williams
This non-toxic mineral sunscreen produces zero white cast and blends in easily on darker skin tones.
Eleven by Venus Williams produces premium, dermatologically approved skincare with active lifestyles in mind.
This SPF 30 sunscreen contains 25% clear zinc oxide and is reef-safe, vegan, cruelty-free, and the winner of the 2020 Allure Best of Beauty Awards.
Skin-loving ingredients such as coconut fruit extract and allantoin help to hydrate your skin and prevent dryness, while rutin helps protect against UVA rays.
Cyberderm Sunscreen Lotion
This premium sunscreen serum from CyberDerm is the best non-toxic face moisturizer with SPF 50 protection for all skin types.
The patented formulation contains no added water and has one of the highest UV-A protection factors of all mineral sunscreens.
It’s lightweight and easy to apply, with Norwegian spruce extract – filled with antioxidants that fight the signs of aging.
Mineral Sunscreen from Earth Mama
This mineral sunscreen stick from Earth Mama contains no artificial fragrances or chemical filters, instead blocking the sun’s UV rays with non-nano zinc oxide.
The gentle formulation includes soothing calendula and organic aloe to help moisturize and repair your skin after a day in the sun.
Earth Mama’s sun protection products are pediatrician and dermatologist-approved too – so you can use them safely on your baby.
Facial sunscreen from Blissoma
Blissoma’s s facial sunscreen and moisturizer is a celebrated toxic-free sunscreen with transparent zinc oxide that blends seamlessly into any skin tone.
The nourishing formulation is packed with antioxidants to hydrate and nourish your skin, with black tea, hydrangea, and raspberry seed oil to soothe acne-prone skin.
The SPF 25 formulation is suitable for sensitive skin, and can be worn under your makeup, while not clogging up your pores.
Whether you’re looking for the best non-toxic facial sunscreen or an all-around family sunblock, mineral sunscreen ensures that no harmful chemicals end up in the oceans or your body.
Many smaller brands are creating sun protection products with nourishing ingredients that boost your skin’s health – bringing beauty, skincare, and sunscreen together to protect people and the planet.