If you’re wondering what the hell to buy when it comes to a safer sunscreen for you + your family… you are not alone!
Each year, more + more natural sunscreens are hitting store shelves (yay!), giving us better + better options! But… this can make it all the more confusing, especially if you don’t know how to read your sunscreen labels or which sunscreen ingredients can actually be toxic. Luckily, I’ve done most of the homework for you + created this little list below!
What to expect from a natural sunscreen
While these may not be the most convenient, or the most glamorous – they’re the best options on the market, in terms of your health.
Texture
Most natural sunscreens contain one of the following the Active Ingredients: either Titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide – or a combo of both! These physical sunscreens often use heavy carrier oils to resist being washed off + come in the form of a creamy, white, opaque lotion. Due to the nature of the ingredients, which vary by brand – these can also sometimes be a little greasy or draggy. On the bright side though, some of the newer ones that contain Zinc Oxide only, can tend to have a little less of a white-ish cast to them + blend really well.
Scent
Most of the natural sunscreens out there are naturally unscented + to my surprise – I didn’t like the smell of a lot of them. I’m not sure why, but quite a few smelled more like strong (or even rancid) cooking oils you’d keep in your kitchen cabinets (which isn’t a bad thing, since they’re edible!) opposed to the dreamy vacation I was wishing for. Just to be sure, I did check the expiration dates + some of them were even just made. I guess I was expecting more of a cocnutty, beachy smell since so many of them contained such exotic ingredients – like coconut oil, cocoa butter, mango butter, coffee bean + green tea, etc. So just a head’s up!
What to look for on the label
In a coconut shell, make sure your sunscreen…
- Offers Broad Spectrum Protection
- Contains Uncoated, Non-Nano, Mineral-Based Active Ingredients
- Has Natural, Plant-Based Inactive Ingredients
- Is Reef-safe
Top 20 Super-Safe Sunscreen Recommendations
Since I don’t live on a tropical island where I can sunbathe + sip on organic pina coladas 24-7 – 365 (just yet), I haven’t had a chance to try every single one on this list. So, I’m recommending most of these, purely based upon ingredients.
While I’d love to post the ingredients like I have in the past – there were way too many sunscreens this year + the guide would be forever long! So, as always, pretty please double-check the ingredients before purchasing as they may change from year to year!
Here’s the 2014 Sunscreen “it” list, in no particular order…
- Badger Balm – A green beauty cult fave + the best as far as ingredients go. Their lotions are fab, but are currently out of stock until early 2015. Their creams are available + also amazing, but can leave a a bit of a greasy, white cast that can be difficult to blend. Out of the creams, I’ve only tried the Unscented SPF 30 Sunscreen + wasn’t crazy about the scent. I’d definitely get one of the scented ones next time.
- True Natural – One of my faves out of the bunch + my usual go-to when I’m not using Badger! Love the coconutty scent + blendability.
- Raw Elements USA – Great ingredients, but I wasn’t crazy about the smell. Cream is thick + smooth, blends well, but leaves a whitish cast. They also have a tinted stick version that was a little on the hard side, but I think it’s made that way so it doesn’t melt in the sun. I couldn’t warm it up enough to apply it though.
- Annmarie Gianni – Tinted facial sunscreen with amazing ingredients, that blends like silk + smells like cocoa! But, I’m disappointed that it has no spf rating (read their thoughts on that here) + that the price is insanely expensive for a sunscreen.
- Goddess Garden – (Sunscreens only). Another one of my fave brands! Have only tried the SPF 30 Sunny Face Lotion + the SPF 30 Sunny Body Spray. Both go on pretty clear + blend well, with a non-greasy feel – so I think you’d be able to wear them under makeup. And, although it was unscented, I wasn’t a fan of the smell. One thing I need to mention though is that I don’t normally recommend sunscreen sprays due to inhalation risks. But, if you really had to use one – this one would be it!
- Pratima – haven’t tried this brand yet, but have heard amazing reviews.
- DeVita – I’ve tried both the Solar Protective Moisturizer SPF 30+ + the Solar Body Moisturizer. They are both light-weight, go on clear + blend well, with a non-greasy feel. Seems similar to Goddess Garden Organics. Perfect for under makeup. Scent wasn’t great, but better than most.
- 100% Pure – (Pomegranate Antioxidant Hydration SPF 20 + SPF 30 Sun Stick only). I’ve tried both which blend well, but leave a hint of white behind. I haven’t tried them under makeup, but it seems like they would probably give you a little drag. The lotion is on the liquidy side + the stick is on the softer side. Wasn’t crazy about the scent.
- Dolphin Organics – Haven’t tried yet.
- Poofy Organics – Impeccable ingredients + another one of my faves! I love that everything’s certified organic except the minerals (which can’t be). I’ve only tried the lotion, which is similar to Badger – but it’s a little lighter + has better blendability.
- Mexitan – (Sunscreen Sticks, Lotions + Oils only). Another great brand with super-simple ingredients! I’ve only tried their SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion + their Dark Tanning Oil (which has no SPF at all!) + loved both! They have a nice beachy scent. The only thing I wasn’t crazy about was that the lotion had little white mineral specks every now + then that didn’t blend in (no bigggie though) + the oil contains lanolin.
- Purple Prairie Botanicals – (Sun Stick + Sun Stuff Lip Balm only). Haven’t tried this brand yet.
- Babo Botanicals – (Sport Stick only). Haven’t tried this brand yet.
- Miessence – Haven’t tried it yet.
- Mercola – Haven’t tried this brand yet, but it seems similar to Mexitan.
- Elemental Herbs – (Sun Sticks only). Haven’t tried this brand yet.
- Mambino Organics – Haven’t tried this brand yet.
- Ava Anderson Non-Toxic – (Sunscreens + Sun Sticks only). Haven’t tried this brand yet.
- California Baby – (Sunscreen Sticks only). Haven’t tried it yet.
- Soleo Organics – Haven’t tried this brand yet.
*Please note that if it says “only” after the brand name, only those particular products are recommended. If it doesn’t say anything, all sunscreen products for that brand are A-ok!
For more info on Sun Safety, check out the EWG’s Guides here. You can also check out The GG’s guides from 2012 + 2013 here! Keep in mind, there’s no sunscreen that compares to the shade of a palm tree, a sassy, wide-brimmed hat, UV sunglasses or tightly-woven clothing.
Have you ever tried any of these sunscreens? What did you think? Are there any that should be on here that didn’t make the list?
33 Comments
Courtney
June 11, 2014 at 4:53 pmI agree with the Badger review on the smell, but it really works well!
Jessica Long
June 11, 2014 at 5:29 pmThanks for the comprehensive list!!! If you’re interested in trying a new sunscreen, I’d love to send you a bottle of Protect from the Healthy Home Company to try out. :) Protect SPF 32 Sunscreen is made with purified zinc oxide with the highest rated purity level by the United States Pharmacopeia-1. It provides UVA and UVB protection, contains 8 organic, edible ingredients, is paraben-free and contains no petrochemicals.
Danielle
June 11, 2014 at 5:48 pmHey Jessica!
Thanks so much for the info :) Unfortunately, it looks like the Healthy Home Sunscreen contains Polysorbate 60 (I don’t use polysorbates) + only 2 of the ingredients are actually organic according to the *’s in the ingredient list. <3
Julie Longyear
June 11, 2014 at 7:42 pmWhile I usually have respected their line I find the AnnMarie Gianni Sun Love product to be a real problem as a formulator. They wrote a whole lot of information on their site that, while true, still does not excuse them from proving to customers that their product actually works. Where are their lab tests? SPF ratings DO prove that you sent your formulation to a lab and that it does actually stop a certain amount of rays from reaching your skin. With no SPF rating customers have NO assurance of what level of actual protection the product offers. Formulating with zinc is not as simple as just adding and mixing it into a product. Furthermore as far as I understand they are legally required to have testing done and register their product with the FDA if they would like to market it as sun protection. The regulations are complex and testing can be expensive but that does not excuse them and releasing a product without complying is irresponsible. They do not get to just make up the rules themselves – every other suncare product manufacturer goes through testing and while it may not be perfect the regulations have been created to ensure some level of performance. Zinc has a tendency to form aggregate particles which can actually leave the skin more exposed to UV rays than one might believe for having added 20% zinc. This is why testing is important, even if they don’t believe SPF ratings are a full, complete way to evaluate the helpfulness of a sun protection product. http://www.fda.gov/drugs/guidancecomplianceregulatoryinformation/guidances/ucm330694.htm It’s true SPF does not measure UVA protection but it at least tells you something about how effectively the product is bouncing light.
The expense of properly testing a recipe is exactly why my brand has not released a sun protection product yet and will continue to hold off until we can prove to our clients that we are actually protecting them. Anything less is a disservice to clients as well as a disrespectful slap in the face to every other company that does go through the process of compliance.
Melissa
June 11, 2014 at 9:36 pmThis is a great list! I have used the Badger Balm sunscreens (the tangerine/vanilla smells yummy!) and Babo Botanicals (smells like Granny Smith apples), both the cream and stick. Both are great and have prevented my family and I from burning. The Badger Balm is thick and leaves a slight white residue, but the Babo Botanicals is clear. The Goddess Garden spray is good for when you need to get the sunscreen on quickly (or for spot touch ups on kids) and can sustain lengthy outdoor runs!
Danielle
June 12, 2014 at 4:28 pmI need to try the Tangerine Vanilla next! Yum! :)
abby
June 12, 2014 at 10:05 amWhat True Natural formula do you use? I’ve tried Poofy Organics, and I really like it…except for the smell! I would love something that smells coconutty! My son cooperates pretty well when I put sunscreen on him, but if he doesn’t like the smell, it can be a battle. Maybe this would be a good brand for him.
Danielle
June 12, 2014 at 4:27 pmHey Abby!
I’ve tried the Caribbean Coconut (my fave!), the Unscented Active 30 (still faintly smells like coconut, which I love) + the Zinc 30 Unscented (no real scent). <3
Ashley
June 12, 2014 at 8:46 pmThanks for the info! I have the 100% Pure Green Tea SPF as well as their Argan Oil SPF. Not sure if they did not meet your criteria or if you just haven’t tried them but I thought I’d share – both have fine for my combination skin. No greasiness and both work fine under make up. The Argan oil formula is a little thick and the Green Tea formula leaves some whitish residue though. I’ll have to try one of your recs.
Danielle
June 12, 2014 at 9:16 pmHey Ashley! Unfortunately, 100% Pure’s other Sunscreens contain Lonicera Caprifolium (Japanese Honeysuckle), an ingredient I avoid due to it’s estrogen mimicking properties (similar to parabens). Thanks! <3
Linda
June 15, 2014 at 8:05 pmHello,
I just discovered your website and it’s great. I am also a cancer survivor. The first time, thyroid cancer 01/2001 and most currently, 05/2013 Parotid Gland cancer (went through 6 weeks of radiation treatment). I am trying to proactively purchase products that do not have any cancer causing agents. I find myself doing so much research on many products and it is exhausting. I am trying to purchase all things natural for me and my family. I have also been trying to find a non-cancerous causing sunscreen product with no success. I just checked the Badger Unscented Sunscreen you have listed and noticed that EWG rated this sunscreen a 1. I also noticed that it has ZINC OXIDE (SUNSCREEN GRADE > 100NM) NON-NANO UNCOATED ZINC OXIDE (ACTIVE INGREDIENT) and TOCOPHEROL these 2 ingredients are cancer causing. Do you know of any other sunscreen that does not have these two ingredients? Thanks for your help. Linda
Danielle
June 19, 2014 at 10:43 amHi Linda! Thank you! :) If you dig a little deeper on both of those ingredients (Zinc Oxide + Tocopherol), I think it really depends on how they are used. For example, inhaling mineral powder is carcinogenic, but in a lotion – you wouldn’t be inhaling it. Mineral sunscreen is really the safest bet for sun protection that I know of. Badger also doesn’t use nano particles. As for the Vitamin e (Tocopherol), I believe it may cause tumor formation if it’s taken internally – not if used on your skin. Hope this helps! XO <3
Linda
June 27, 2014 at 1:54 pmThank you so much Danielle! I really appreciate you explaining this to me.
Have a great weekend!
Danielle
July 1, 2014 at 10:25 pmNo prob! Happy I could help! XO <3
Jules
June 17, 2014 at 10:43 pmGreat post and great review! Now I won’t worry what sunscreen to pick out since there are 20 of them listed here that are safe and all organic.
Jamie
June 19, 2014 at 6:45 pmThanks for compiling this! Very helpful! I’ve recently switched over a lot of my other products but sunscreen is the hardest thing for me. I’m pretty fair and I could go through a whole bottle of sunscreen in a weekend because I’m crazy about reapplying (I also really love the beach and pool and all outdoor things so it would be torture for me to not go in the sun as much). I know and agree with your saying of “pay more now or pay the doctor later” but when I calculate how much sunscreen I go through with the cost of a lot of natural sunscreens wellll I should probably get a second job. SIGH. Such a dilemma for me because I cannot justify, with my financial situation, spending that much on sunscreen. We would not be able to pay rent. Are there any brands that are cheaper and not as clean as these but BETTER than normal sunscreen? At least until I get in a better financial situation…because I can’t not pay rent because my sunscreen bill is so much haha
Thanks for all you do!! I learn so much from you!!
Danielle
July 1, 2014 at 10:36 pmHey Jamie, I feel your pain Girl! Truly natural products like these are pricey! I wish I had a better solution, but in all honesty, there are so many brands that didn’t make the cut due to just one or two pretty toxic ingredients. So, I would only feel comfortable recommending those on this list for the moment. Just make sure you aren’t over-applying… more is not always better in this case as the active mineral ingredients can also be somewhat damaging to your skin as well. See here. Only use it when necessary + make sure you’re applying it correctly. This can be a huge money-saver in the long run too! XO <3
Nora
June 27, 2014 at 1:31 pmIt is so hard for me to find a good sunscreen that protects me good with good ingredients. I think I am going to buy one online!
Danielle
July 1, 2014 at 10:27 pmYay Nora! Happy Online Shopping! ;) XO <3
Robin Adler
July 2, 2014 at 12:45 pmThis is an awesome list, great to keep for later when I want to try something new!
As for the Goddess Garden spray, I’m not sure if they changed the type of spray bottle, but I had the opportunity to try it out last year and it was not a continuous spray. It was pretty much just a more “liquidy” version of their lotion in a spray form. I don’t think there’s much chance of inhalation.
I also really love Loving Naturals…you don’t have it on your list, but I always go back to this brand. It’s full of lovely oils which absorb really well and every time I’ve used it, I’ve never gotten burned, which living in South Florida says a lot!
Danielle
July 4, 2014 at 11:53 pmThanks Robin!:) I know they’ve cleaned up their ingredients since last year (YAY!), so maybe they’ve changed their spray bottle too! I think the inhalation risk is when it’s sprayed on, or near your face… like lots of mom’s tend to do with kids. I have the continuous spray + it actually does spray pretty continuously, which I love!
I did have Loving Naturals on the list in past years (ingredients are still great, BTW!), but decided not to list them this year because I’ve emailed them several times over the past few years + have received no response. I’d love to try their products though, especially after hearing your recommendation! XO <3
Pei-Fen Hung
July 2, 2014 at 5:07 pmThanks for this amazing listing..you give me a lot of ideas how to choose safe sunscreen next time,
Right now I use badger balm …as you said it’s really a little bit greasy on face..also the scent is not my favorite ..
Only the thing I chose it with the safe ingredients ..also safe to baby skin…
Danielle
July 4, 2014 at 11:44 pmI hear you! I’m definitely looking forward to when Badger re-launches their sunscreen lotions in 2015! XO <3
Brandie Maraziti
July 2, 2014 at 9:17 pmThanks so much for putting this together, Danielle! I recently had a request from a fair-skinned friend for a custom order of sunscreen and I was very happy to be able to point her directly to this blog post to find reliable + natural sunblock alternatives!
Danielle
July 4, 2014 at 11:43 pmAw! Thanks so much Brandie! I really appreciate it! So happy it was helpful! XO <3
Mary
July 15, 2014 at 10:25 pmI switched to Ava Anderson Non-Toxic’s avaSUN line about a year ago, and I’ve loved it. I have fair, sensitive skin, and it’s worked really well for me. I also love that they offer SPF lip balms, a formulation for the face (no white residue!), and a super convenient sun stick. Moms I know use it for their kids on the go and say it’s a life saver!
Zarah roubian
July 16, 2014 at 7:33 amMy family loves Ava Anderson non toxic sunscreen and sunsticks, works amazingly well!
Sesame
August 30, 2014 at 4:26 amI am currently using Derma E Antioxidant Sunscreen with SPF 30 and it’s almost perfect for me. I only wish their zinc oxide content is higher. My favorite is still Marie Veronique Moisturizer with SPF 30–it has 20% zinc oxide. Was thinking of getting AnneMarie Gianni but now a bit wary cos of the lack of SPF rating. Their zinc oxide content is 16 or 18% if I remember correctly.
Prudence
June 22, 2015 at 1:43 amHi, we would love to send you some Beauty by Earth sunscreen to try out. It is completely natural and organic and is SPF 25.
Here is the ingredients list:
Organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Juice, Organic Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Vegetable Glycerin, Organic Castor (Ricinus Communis) Oil, Coconut Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Organic Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Organic Argania Spinosa (Argan) Oil, Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Organic Green Tea Extract, Organic Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Extract, Organic Vanilla Planifolia (Vanilla) Fruit Extract, Xantham Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Natural Frangrance (Essential Oil and Plant Based).
You can check it out on http://www.beautybyearth.com but we would love to send you some to try out. Maybe you are doing a 2015 guide? We also have other products we would love you to try.
Danielle
July 11, 2015 at 5:00 pmHi Prudence! Feel free to email me at glamorganicgoddess@live.com. Thanks! XO <3
Leah
November 2, 2015 at 4:39 pmI have been using DeVita on the strength of the EWG’s reviews, but it dries and leaves little white flecks on EVERYTHING.
The Choosy Chick
April 6, 2016 at 9:39 pmWow – happy to have found this Danielle – great job! We do love Badger, but some people want a sunscreen that goes on lighter more like lotion. Do you know if True applies more like a lotion, rather than a cream? And yes – cannot wait..Badger’s SPF lotion is do out later this month – woo-hoo!
Danielle
April 7, 2016 at 2:58 pmThanks Choosy Chick! :) I totally agree… I also like something lighter, as it can be rather heavy! This list is about 2 years old (so, hopefully I’ll have an update up for this year pretty soon!) but last time I used it, it was more like a lotion. xo <3