When it comes to skincare, there is little more important than protecting your delicate skin from the sun and UV rays. When your skin is not protected by sunscreen your body becomes more prone to sun damage like dark spots, sun spots, wrinkles, sunburn, and of course, various types of skin cancer. One of the most deadly forms of skin cancer in Melanoma and has the highest rate of death among all skin cancers.
Fortunately for you, there is one simple way to protect your skin from aggressive cancers, dark spots, wrinkles, and premature skin aging – and that is using a high-quality sunscreen. The most important step in this process is making sure you are wearing your sunscreen at all times. Yes, that means even in the winter months or when you won’t be outside for extended periods of time.
The sun is still strong and dangerous even when the temperatures are bitterly cold. So, if you are going on a run in the middle of the winter during the day, and your face is exposed, you still need to apply that sunscreen.
However, not all sunscreen is created equal. What if we told you your favorite sunscreen has a laundry list of toxic ingredients that are just are deadly as exposing your skin to the sun without any protection? Would you be even more shocked that some ingredients in conventional sunscreen may even further increase your risk of skin cancer?
Unfortunately, this is indeed true and you must educate yourself on the dangers of conventional sunscreen and the host of toxic and chemical ingredients lurking in that tube shoved in your drawer.
The 10 Best Natural and Organic Sunscreens:
Here are the 10 best natural and organic sunscreens we could find available for sale online. Explore the options below and choose the one that will suit your needs the best!
1. Goddess Garden Organics Everyday SPF 30
Goddess Garden Everyday SPF is a wonderful go-to option that can be easily found online or in your favorite natural and organic supermarket. This sunscreen contains tons of natural and skin-friendly ingredients like aloe vera, shea butter, coconut oil, sunflower oil, lavender oil, and vitamin E. These active ingredients are both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Many of the ingredients are also certified organic,
It is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, is reef safe, and 100% biodegradable. Other highlights of this sunscreen include:
- Non-nano
- Non-GMO
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Alcohol-free
- Free of oxybenzone, parabens, and synthetic fragrance
The only downfall of this lotion is the fact that it is somewhat difficult to rub into the skin and is likely to leave that white tint on your skin. However, if you start with clean and moisturized skin, it is more likely that white color will blend into the skin much better.
The company also states that if your product is still looking white on the skin, just keep rubbing it in until you cannot see the white anymore. Although it is slightly more work than applying a conventional sunscreen, the chemical-free and safe formula are well worth the tradeoff.
2. Beauty by Earth Sunscreen Kit SPF 20
This natural sunscreen is SPF 25 and offers solid protection from the sun. The formula is made from natural, organic, and vegan ingredients and no toxins, chemicals, fragrances, or colorants. This product also contains no GMOs, gluten, or soy, which is a great feature for those who are sensitive to those items.
This is also a great option for an everyday sunscreen because the formula is smooth and light enough to be worn under your makeup every day. This makes it super simple to apply to your skin during your morning routine before work. Just a little dap on the face, neck, and the rest of your body will do the trick to protect your skin during the day.
This sunscreen uses non-nano particle zinc oxide as the active ingredient to protect against UVA and UVB rays.
3. Badger Unscented Sunscreen SPF 30
Badger is a trusted brand in the natural and organic sunscreen and body care industry. They are known for making the purest of products that are safe for everyone to use. This sunscreen uses mineral zinc oxide as the natural sun protection active ingredient. It is a broad-spectrum UVA and UVB sunscreen. It is also water and sweat resistant and can be used for up to 40 minutes of water activity or physical activity.
This option also only has 5 natural ingredients, all non-GMO and many of them certified organic. It contains organic sunflower seed oil beeswax, seabuckthorn, vitamin E, and non-nano zinc oxide. Badger also never tests on animals and the tube never contains BPA or phthalates. It is important to note that this product will leave a white/blue tint on the skin, which is common for most natural sunscreens.
4. White and Elm Everyday SPF 15
Although this sunscreen is only meant for the face, it had to take a spot on our list – it is that awesome. This product is EWG verified and only uses a few simple, natural, and healthy ingredients.
- Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice*
- Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*
- Glycerin (Vegetable)*
- CetearylOlivate
- Benzyl Alcohol
- SorbitanOlivate
- Tocopherols (Vitamin E)
- Xanthan Gum
- Dehydroacetic Acid
They use non-nanoparticle zinc oxide for ultimate safety. This product is perfect to wear every day and goes on smoothly without any heaviness or caking. In fact, this product is so lightweight that you can use it as a face primer and everyday moisturizer under makeup. It goes on with absolutely no white or blue tint, which makes it a very popular choice for everyday use.
5. 100% Pure Yerba Mate Mist SPF 30
This sunscreen is special and hard to find in the natural and mineral sunscreen world – it is a mist spray. This mist sunscreen is soothing and mattifying on the skin while protecting you from the sun’s UV rays. This product has Yerba Mate tealeaf, which has strong antioxidants to help protect your skin against harmful free radicals and pollution. The active ingredient in this sunscreen is zinc oxide.
The mist has a quick-drying formula and goes onto the skin effortlessly since it is a spray. This eliminates the very common white and blue tint a natural mineral sunscreen tends to have. This great product is also vegan and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes at a time.
There are relatively few ingredients in the sunscreen compared to conventional options. Ingredient highlights include nourishing things like Jojoba oil, safflower seed oil, and Yerba Mate leaf extract.
6. Coola Classic Body Organic Sunscreen Spray SPF 30
This organic sunscreen spray has some of the best reviews and is one of the most trusted brands for natural and organic skincare and sunscreen products out there. Their formula comes out clear and non-greasy unlike many of the other natural and organic sunscreen sprays on the market.
It is water and sweat-resistant, so you can wear it while working out, to the beach, or while out walking the town in the sun. the formula absorbs into your skin quickly and there is never that yucky greasy feel that makes you feel dirty and gross.
The sunscreen also contains powerful antioxidants to help protect your skin from the sun and its harmful rays. Antioxidants such as cucumber, red raspberry seed oil, strawberry, and algae are a super powerful antioxidant that works to protect your sensitive skin.
The mist comes in a fragrance-free option, Pina colada, and tropical coconut. However, if you only want to use sunscreen that uses zinc and minerals as the only active ingredients, you will want to pass on this spray since it does contain other active ingredients many people want to avoid.
7. Thrive Market Broad Spectrum Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
This mineral sunscreen by Thrive Market comes at a very affordable price and contains only a shortlist of healthy and wholesome ingredients you can feel good about putting on your body. It is made with non-nano zinc oxide as the active ingredient.
Other soothing and healthy ingredients like sunflower oil, jojoba oil, and coconut oil help protect and nourish your skin at the same time. The only other ingredients in their formula are vitamin E and beeswax – that is it! This is one of the cleanest and simplest formulas on the market today. The sunscreen is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
Many of the ingredients are also organic, it is made in the USA, it is vegetarian, non-GMO, BPA, cruelty, and fragrance-free as well. Since this formula is so pure and natural, it is a little bit stickier and will leave a bit of that white hue on your skin. If that is something you do not like or you find it hard to apply to your skin, you may want to go for one of the misting options we reviewed above.
8. Butter Me Up Organics Organic Sunscreen
Butter Me Up Organics makes pure, natural, and organic products that are great for your skin and your body. This handmade lotion is made from non-nano zinc oxide as the active ingredient to protect your skin. The rest of the ingredients in this sunscreen include the following:
“Coconut Oil*, Shea Butter*, Mango Butter*, Non-Nano Zinc Oxide*, Non-GMO Grapeseed Oil, Vitamin E*, Beeswax.” These ingredients are used because they are so healthy and moisturizing for the skin, but they also help the zinc blend into your skin.
This means that you will not get that purple-white hue on your skin after application. Since this sunscreen comes in a glass jar, all you do is scoop out a little into your hand, warm it up, and then rub gently over your skin until it is absorbed, this jar with last you throughout the whole summer if you buy the extra-large version. If you want something in a small squeeze bottle or want this sunscreen to be easier to travel with, you can opt for the 2 oz squeeze bottle.
9. Juice Beauty Sport Sunscreen
Juice Beauty is known for its high-quality, organic, and natural beauty products and makeup. People often swear by this brand and will never use anything else. This sport sunscreen is no different with its water and sweat resistant formula. Zinc is the active ingredient and there are no chemical SPFs.
Other ingredients like jojoba oil, aloe, and other vitamins and minerals soothe and protect your skin all day long. However, just like all other sunscreens, you will need to re-apply throughout the day especially if you are in the water or sweating.
Many of the ingredients in the sunscreen are organic, it is cruelty-free, reef-safe, safe for the entire family to use. This sunscreen will also not leave a white hue on your skin. The formula absorbs into your skin rather quickly and there is minimal greasy feeling on the skin compared to many other natural formulas. It will never dry out your skin and can be used on the face and the body.
10. All Good Sport Sunscreen
This popular sunscreen is a favorite choice for a reason. Their new and improved formula is lightweight and does not feel greasy, thick, and heavy on your skin. It is water-resistant and the sports formula uses ingredients like organic green tea, rosehip oil, and buriti oil to help repair your skin and protect it at the same time.
There are no chemical SPFs, it is gluten-free, vegan, reef-safe, and biodegradable, so it is healthy and safe for both your body and the planet. Of course, they only use non-nano zinc to ensure the safest product for your body possible.
In order for their formula to work the best, make sure your skin is hydrated and not dry before applying the lotion. For best results, they say to start with a small amount and completely rub into the skin before adding more. This will ensure that the zinc is distributing well and not building up the unsightly white hue on the skin. If these steps are taken you should not have any issues with the sunscreen rubbing into your skin the way it should.
The Dangers of Chemical-based Sunscreens
Free Radical Damage
The EWG, a research facility that provides an extensive database of toxic beauty products and toxic ingredients, has tested over 1,400 different sunscreens in their independent labs. They concluded that over 40% of those sunscreens contained ingredients that could potentially contribute to skin cancers.
It is believed that the increase in cancer can occur due to the ingredients, retinyl palmitate, and retinol, forms of vitamin A. These ingredients can actually release free radicals from your skin, which in turn can speed the development of cancer cell.
Skin Penetration
Conventional chemical-based sunscreens are made so that your skin will actually block the sun’s UV rays. Chemical sunscreens cause an actual chemical reaction on your skin so that your skin can block damage from UVA and UVB rays. Making matters worse is the fact that chemical sunscreens, like anything that we put on our skin, is absorbed directly into the bloodstream without any dilution or filtering.
Hormone Disruption
Some of the most common ingredients in conventional sunscreen are now believed through many studies, to mimic and disrupt hormones. This is a particularly concerning area for women. Ingredients include oxybenzone, homosalate, and octinoxate and can cause an increased risk of developing endometriosis, reproductive issues, and thyroid and behavioral changes.
Ingredients to Avoid in Sunscreen
There are a handful of ingredients that must be avoided if you are looking to reduce your risk of cancer from sunscreens. Below are the top ingredients to avoid:
- Retinyl palmitate and retinol
- Oxybenzone, homosalate, and octinoxate
- Octisalate
- Octocrylene
- Methylisothiazolinone
How to Choose a Natural and Organic Sunscreen
Choosing a natural and organic sunscreen can feel a bit complicated at first, however, once you know what to look for, you won’t feel intimidated anymore. First are foremost, look for mineral-based sunscreens. These reflect sunlight away from your skin and don’t fully absorb the product. Mineral sunscreens will have the active ingredients of either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide listed as the active ingredient.
If you want to take your natural sunscreen a bit further, look for brands that use non-nano particle varieties. Many brands use teeny tiny nanoparticles from titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to create a more sheen sunscreen so the sunscreen does not look white/blue on the skin.
Some claim there is some concern about some skin absorption of nanoparticles, although it is quite minimal. However, if it is a concern for you, just make sure to buy non-nanoparticle-specified sunscreens.
You also want to avoid any sunscreens with fragrance, unless it is coming from essential oil blends. You can read more about the issues with fragrance, here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Use Organic Sunscreens?
Organic sunscreens are becoming increasingly popular due to the health-conscious market. They offer a variety of health benefits such as protecting against free radicals, acne, and skin aging. Many organic sunscreens contain antioxidants such as vitamin A, B3, and C. These sunscreens are typically made of mineral-based ingredients that are natural and safe for use on the skin. They also contain essential fatty acids, which help to protect the skin from dryness and UV damage.
How Do Organic Sunscreens Work?
Organic sunscreens work by absorbing UV rays and re-emitting them as heat. This process is called photobiology. Organic sunscreens are made with natural ingredients such as plants, minerals, and vegetables that are also known to protect the skin against free radicals and environmental factors.
Do Organic Sunscreens Work?
Organic sunscreens are made with natural ingredients and are supposed to be safe for the environment. and for those who choose to use them. If manufactured correctly an organic sunscreen will work as well as a conventional sunscreen.
Are Organic Sunscreens Safe?
With so many factors that play a role in determining whether a product is safe or not, it can be difficult to know which organic sunscreen is best for you.
Organic sunscreens do not contain harsh chemicals that can cause skin irritation and allergies. They also have the ability to improve your skin health by providing antioxidants and other nutrients that your body needs.
Is Baby Organic Sunscreen Safe?
There are many questions that come to mind when you hear the term organic sunscreen. One of these is whether or not it is safe for babies.
Organic sunscreens are made with natural ingredients that are not tested on animals. They also do not contain any synthetic chemicals, which can be harmful to your health and the environment. They may have a lower SPF rating, but they provide better protection against UVA and UVB rays than non-organic sunscreens.
Many parents wonder if their children should use organic sunscreen because of its low SPF rating, but it is important to remember that children’s skin is thinner than adults’ skin and so needs more protection from the sun.
This article was last updated on May 8, 2024 .