Protect Your Skin, Preserve the Planet: 12 Best Natural Sunscreens

4. COOLA Mineral Face SPF 30 Matte Tint Moisturizer 

COOLA’s Mineral Face SPF 30 Matte Tint Moisturizer elevates your daily skincare regimen by seamlessly blending SPF protection with a matte finish. Formulated with titanium dioxide, rosehip oil, and plankton extract, its certified organic ingredients offer reliable protection suitable for everyday wear.

This tinted moisturizer is free from fragrances and silicones and aligns with your skincare preferences and environmental values, complying with the Hawaii Reef Compliant Act 104. It provides seamless coverage and protects against harmful UV rays and premature aging, promoting healthy and radiant skin.

For added convenience, this TSA-approved size packaging ensures that you can enjoy your skincare regimen even while traveling, making it a versatile and essential addition to your beauty routine.

5. Goddess Garden Organics Everyday SPF 30 Natural Mineral Sunscreen

Goddess Garden Organics Everyday SPF 30 Natural Mineral Sunscreen is meticulously crafted to deliver gentle yet effective protection for daily use. Proudly produced by Goddess Garden, a woman-owned company committed to safe and sustainable practices since 2005, this sunscreen embodies their dedication to quality and environmental responsibility.

Thanks to its key ingredients like zinc oxide, coconut oil, and shea butter, Goddess Garden Organics Everyday SPF 30 Natural Mineral Sunscreen boasts a non-greasy formula specifically designed for sensitive skin. This reef-friendly sunscreen offers dependable sun protection without compromising skin health, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for everyday wear.

6. Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen Sensitive SPF 30+

Blue Lizard’s Australian Sunscreen Sensitive SPF 30+ comes highly recommended by dermatologists and is specially formulated to cater to individuals with sensitive skin. Free from fragrances, it offers a gentle yet effective solution for sun protection.

Enriched with zinc oxide, jojoba oil, and vitamin E, this sunscreen provides comprehensive UV protection, shielding against 97% of harmful rays without causing irritation. With added Hyaluronic Acid and antioxidants, it ensures skin stays nourished and hydrated throughout the day.

Designed to prioritize skin health and environmental sustainability, this sunscreen is reef-safe, containing no Oxybenzone and Octinoxate. Whether you have sensitive skin or simply prefer a gentle yet reliable sunscreen option, Blue Lizard’s Australian Sunscreen Sensitive SPF 30+ is an excellent choice for all skin types.

7. All Good Mineral Sunscreen Butter SPF 50+

All Good’s Mineral Sunscreen Butter SPF 50+ delivers superior sun protection in a convenient stick format, perfect for quick and easy applications on the go. Crafted from a mineral (zinc oxide) blend and botanical ingredients (coconut oil and jojoba oil), this sunscreen offers a water-resistant formula that matches extreme weather conditions and outdoor activities.

Designed for long-lasting wear, this sunscreen butter absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving a greasy residue, ensuring comfort throughout all your adventures. Additionally, it holds Leaping Bunny certification, guaranteeing cruelty-free testing practices. Moreover, it is biodegradable and coral reef friendly, free from oxybenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene, PABA, and other harmful preservatives or additives. With All Good’s Mineral Sunscreen Butter SPF 50+, you can enjoy worry-free sun protection while respecting your skin and the environment.

8. Raw Elements Face + Body Sunscreen SPF 30

Raw Elements’ Face + Body Sunscreen SPF 30 provides comprehensive broad-spectrum UVA-UVB protection for both your face and body. Packaged in a recyclable and eco-friendly tin, it offers convenience and portability for on-the-go use.

Crafted with a carefully selected blend of ingredients, including zinc oxide, green tea extract, and black tea extract, this sunscreen boasts a gentle and non-GMO formula that is suitable for sensitive skin, even for kids. Reef-friendly and lightweight, it effectively shields against the sun’s harmful rays without leaving any residue or greasiness behind, ensuring a comfortable and worry-free experience for all outdoor adventures.

9. Sun Bum Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion

Sun Bum’s Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion delivers a lightweight, fragrance-free solution for sun protection, free from greasy residue. Crafted with a vegan and reef-friendly formula, it blends the power of zinc oxide, coconut oil, and shea butter to offer effective defense against UV rays without clogging pores.

This sunscreen lotion absorbs quickly into the skin and remains effective for up to 80 minutes, ensuring nourished and protected skin without any unsightly white residue. Suitable for all skin types, it is hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, and cruelty-free. Moreover, it adheres to Hawaii Act 104 Reef Compliance, reinforcing its commitment to environmental sustainability. 

10. Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen SPF 30

Babo Botanicals’ Clear Zinc Sunscreen SPF 30 offers transparent protection without the inconvenience of a white residue. Its fast-absorbing and hydrating formula features zinc oxide and a blend of 24 plant-based ingredients, including nourishing sunflower oil and soothing shea butter, to moisturize and comfort the skin.

This potent sunscreen is hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, ensuring gentle yet effective sun protection suitable for sensitive skin of all ages. As one of the pioneering sunscreens to receive EWG Verification, and prominently featured in the EWG Sunscreen Guide for “Best Recreational Sunscreens,” it is a trusted choice for daily defense against harmful UV rays. With Babo Botanicals’ Clear Zinc Sunscreen SPF 30, you can rely on transparent and reliable sun protection while nurturing your skin with botanical goodness.

11. Green People Scent Free Sun Cream SPF 30

Green People’s Scent Free Sun Cream SPF 30 provides fragrance-free protection, specially formulated for sensitive skin prone to conditions like eczema and prickly heat. Enriched with natural and organic ingredients, including 60% organic Aloe Vera for soothing, Edelweiss for sun protection, Cocoa for nourishment and hydration, and Berry Wax for water repellence, it offers comprehensive care for your skin.

This reef-safe SPF contains no Oxybenzone or Octinoxate, ensuring it’s safe for use in the sea and swimming in rivers. Free from alcohol, silicone, parabens, and other harmful additives, it delivers gentle yet effective protection against UV rays without causing irritation.

Furthermore, with every bottle purchased, Green People contributes to the Marine Conservation Society, a UK charity dedicated to protecting seas and shorelines. The company’s donations have surpassed £130,000, supporting the efforts of these ocean champions.

12. Suntegrity Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen & Primer SPF 30

Suntegrity’s Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen & Primer SPF 30 offers a unique blend of broad-spectrum protection, moisturization, and primer benefits. Formulated with non-nano-size zinc oxide, Hyaluronic acid, astaxanthin, and red algae, it provides a powerful defense against harmful UV rays. Additionally, it features a nourishing blend of aloe vera, jojoba, sunflower, pomegranate, cucumber, and green tea, delivering antioxidant-rich protection against premature aging and sun damage.

This multi-functional sunscreen primes the skin for flawless makeup application, providing seamless coverage while ensuring all-day sun protection. It effectively reduces the appearance of redness, leaving the skin healthy and radiant. 

Recognized for its exceptional performance, Suntegrity’s Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen & Primer SPF 30 has received numerous accolades, including the 2023 Dermascope Magazine Aestheticians Choice Winner, 2013 Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner and listing in EWG’s “Top Rated/Best Daily Use SPF” for 2023. With a Green Rating in the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database,  approval from the Good Face Project, and PETA and Leaping Bunny certifications, this sunscreen is a trusted choice for daily sun protection and skincare.

Getting the Most Out of Natural Sunscreens

When it comes to choosing and using natural sunscreens, there are several factors to keep in mind to ensure optimal protection and environmental responsibility:

Choosing Natural Sunscreen

• • SPF Level: Select a sunscreen with an appropriate SPF level based on your skin type and the intensity of sun exposure. Higher SPF levels offer greater protection against UV radiation.

• • Water Resistance: When engaging in water or heavy perspiration activities, opt for a water-resistant sunscreen to ensure continuous protection. Remember that most sunscreens’ water resistance decreases over time, so it’s essential to reapply after swimming or sweating profusely to maintain its effectiveness.

• • Skin Sensitivity: Consider your skin’s sensitivity and any specific concerns such as allergies or eczema. Look for hypoallergenic and fragrance-free formulas designed for sensitive skin.

• • Expiration Date: Check the sunscreen’s expiration date to ensure its effectiveness. Sunscreen typically has a shelf life of up to three years, but exposure to high temperatures can shorten this lifespan.

Using Natural Sunscreen

• • Generous Application: Apply sunscreen generously to all exposed skin areas, ensuring even coverage. Don’t forget commonly overlooked areas like ears, neck, and feet.

• • Reapplication: Reapply sunscreen every two hours or more frequently if you’re swimming or sweating heavily. Even water-resistant sunscreens can lose effectiveness with prolonged water exposure.

• • Biodegradable Packaging: Opt for sunscreens with biodegradable packaging to minimize environmental impact. Look for options made from recyclable materials or packaged in sustainable formats.

In addition to the factors mentioned above, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also noted wearing sunscreen alone isn’t enough to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Hence, the organization also encourages you to take other safety precautions, including: 

• • Staying in the Shade: Reduce sun damage and skin cancer risk by seeking shade under umbrellas, trees, or shelters. Even in shaded areas, wear sunscreen or protective clothing for protection against UV rays.

• • Wearing Proper Clothing: Opt for long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and skirts whenever possible to shield your skin from UV rays. Alternatively, wear a T-shirt or beach cover-up made from tightly woven fabric. Remember, wet clothing offers less UV protection than dry clothing, and darker colors may offer more protection than lighter ones. Look for clothing certified for UV protection.

• • Wearing a Hat: Choose a hat with a brim all around to shade your face, ears, and neck for maximum protection. Opt for tightly woven fabric hats, such as canvas, and avoid straw hats with holes. Darker hats may provide enhanced UV protection. If wearing a baseball cap, supplement with protective clothing, sunscreen, or shade for ears and neck.

• • Wearing Sunglasses: Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays and lower the risk of cataracts. Look for sunglasses blocking UVA and UVB rays, as they offer optimal protection. Wrap-around sunglasses are preferable as they prevent UV rays from entering from the sides. Most sunglasses in the United States meet this standard, regardless of price.

By considering the above-outlined factors, following proper application guidelines, and taking additional precautions, you can enjoy effective sun protection while minimizing your ecological footprint.

Here is a video from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention providing more information on sun safety:

Conclusion

Protecting your skin shouldn’t come at the expense of the planet. By opting for natural sunscreens, you can shield yourself from harmful UV rays while minimizing environmental harm. 

With a wide range of effective and eco-friendly options available, there’s no excuse not to prioritize your skin’s health and the planet’s wellbeing. Choose wisely, apply liberally, and enjoy the sun responsibly.

Frequently Asked Questions