The Best Natural and Sustainable Sunscreen Brands for Every Skin Type
We know that there’s a ton of sunscreen options out there, and that’s why we’ve done the work for you and put together this list of the best sustainable and natural sunscreens brands.
We ravaged the internet, read tons of reviews, researched ingredients… and compiled the ones that stood out. No matter your skin type or need, you’ll find what you’re looking for on this guide!
It seemed that no matter which mineral sunscreen we looked at, there were a fairly large number of reviews complaining about difficulty with rubbing it in, a white cast and/or that it was just plain ineffective. So keep in mind, these are the best sustainable and natural sunscreen brands we found, but they are still natural! So if you’re used to the coverage and endurance that is offered by less-than-natural sunscreen brands, you may need to adjust your sun care routine (more frequent application, for example).
Please note, we at The Ethical Edit believe it’s important to prioritize your own skin health. So if you find that the natural and mineral-based options just aren’t cutting it for you, there’s no shame in opting for something less natural but that will offer effective sun protection for your skin, such as the Banana Boat Reef Friendly Sunscreen.
Alright, now without further ado, here are our top picks for sustainable and natural sunscreens!
Best Everyday Natural and Sustainable Sunscreen for Adults
Brand: Suntegrity
Formula: Unscented Natural Mineral Sunscreen
Active Ingredient: 20% Zinc Oxide (non-nano particle)
Sustainability & Ethics: vegan | reef safe | no harsh chemicals | organic ingredients
Price: $24 for 3oz
For lightweight everyday use, this one checks all the boxes. In addition to all the fabulous specs listed above, this sunscreen is gentle enough for both kids and adults. It contains SPF 30 offered by the eco- and skin-friendly SPF alternative zinc oxide, plus antioxidants!
Best Sustainable Sunscreen for Face
Brand: Juice Beauty
Formula: SPF 30 Oil-Free Moisturizer
Active Ingredient: 20% Zinc Oxide
Sustainability & Ethics: certified organic ingredients | leaping bunny certified cruelty-free | vegan | reef safe | sustainable packaging
Price: $32 for 2 oz
Great for everyday use, this is a lightweight, pore-friendly and oil-free moisturizer that offers broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection. Though most of the sunscreens on this list would probably work just fine for protecting your face if needed, this one is formulated with that specific purpose in mind.
With added vitamins C, E and B5, antioxidants, and hyaluronic acid this formula will keep the skin healthy and moisturized. It’s non-comedogenic, meaning it's formulated specifically not to clog pores. This is especially great for blemish-prone, oily, and combination skin types.
Best Sustainable Sunscreen for Kids
Brand: Thinkbaby
Formula: Natural Baby Sunscreen
Active Ingredient: 20% Zinc Oxide (non-nano particle)
Sustainability & Ethics: reef safe | first to pass Whole Foods premium care requirements | no animal testing | no biologically harmful chemicals | vegan | non-toxic
Price: $23.99 for 6oz
Safe for kids and infants 6 months and older, this reef-safe, mineral-based sunscreen offers broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
Thinkbaby boasts of their many accomplishments, such as being the first sunscreen to pass Whole Foods’ premium care requirements and winning Allure’s Best Baby sunscreen. And apparently, the Amazon community agrees! With over 4300 reviews and an average 5-star rating, this sustainable sunscreen brand is definitely worth a try!
Best Natural Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin
Brand: Babo Botanicals
Formula: Sheer Mineral Sunscreen for Extra Sensitive Skin
Active Ingredient: 20% Zinc Oxide (non-nano particle)
Sustainability & Ethics: cruelty free | vegan | certified b corp | certified organic ingredients
Price: $21.99 for 6oz Spray Bottle | $16.99 for 3oz Liquid
Hypoallergenic and formulated for extra sensitive skin, this fragrance-free sunscreen is made with 20% non-nano zinc oxide and offers 80 minutes of water-resistance. It contains coconut and shea butter to help soothe and moisturize sensitive and dry skin. Score!
This sunscreen is made without many of the major allergens like gluten, dairy, soy, peanuts, and almonds (though it does contain some tree nuts), so it could be a good option for those with certain allergies or sensitivities.
Babo Botanicals has received mentions in many big-name magazines including Allure, The Oprah Magazine and Parents.
Best Sustainable All-Natural Sunscreen for Blemish-Prone Skin
Brand: Manda
Formula: Organic Sun Creme
Active Ingredient: 23% Zinc Oxide (non-nano particle)
Sustainability & Ethics: natural, organic, food grade ingredients | reef safe | 100% recyclable packing derived from cane sugar
Price: $32 for 3.4 oz
The Manda SPF 50 Organic Sun Creme is formulated with 23% non-nano zinc oxide and an ingredient unique to the Manda brand: Thanaka! Thanaka is a paste made from bark that is filled with antioxidants, has age-fighting properties, is anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-acne. Not to mention that it adds extra sun protection! That’s a whole lotta skin-loving benefits in one bottle to help nourish your skin and keep it clear!
Oh, and it’s non-toxic, kid-, reef- and eco-friendly. The Amazon reviews also testify that this sunscreen is a great all-natural option for sensitive skin.
*Note that blemish-prone skin is not the same as acne, which is a non-contagious skin condition. While this sunscreen could likely help acne-prone skin, you may want to talk to your dermatologist about what is best for you before trying it.
Best Water-Resistant Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Brand: All Good
Formula: Sport Mineral Sunscreen Lotion
Active Ingredient: 16% Zinc Oxide (non-nano particle)
Sustainability & Ethics: reef safe | 1% for the planet | leaping bunny certified cruelty-free | certified B Corp | climate neutral | biodegradable
Price: Price: $16 for 3oz
While all the sunscreen on this list is reef-safe, this one stood out because of some incredible online reviews attesting to its use for all-day surf sessions, outdoor activities and the like.
You can use this Broad Spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen on your face and body! It’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and made with only reef-safe, mostly natural or naturally-derived ingredients, many of which are certified organic. Plus, it’s hypoallergenic - so even if your skin tends towards the sensitive side, it could be worth giving this one a try!
Best Sustainable Sunscreen Formulated Without Zinc-Oxide
Brand: Stream2Sea
Formula: Reef Safe Sport Mineral Sunscreen
Active Ingredient: 8.8% Titanium Dioxide (non-nano particle)
Sustainability & Ethics: reef safe | biodegradable | paraben and sulfate free | eco-friendly packaging | 1% for the planet
Price: $16.95 for 3oz | $99 for 32 oz
If you prefer not to use zinc-oxide for any reason, this is the one for you! This natural, reef-safe mineral sunscreen is made with 8.8% non-nano titanium dioxide and other skin-loving ingredients like aloe and green tea.
It’s offered in SPF 20 or SPF 30 and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Suitable for all skin types, Stream2Sea uses salicylic acid for added benefits such as acne-fighting, but the formula is gentle enough for sensitive skin, too!
We hope this list of the best natural and sustainable sunscreen brands will help guide your suncare decisions! And I’d love to hear if you’ve tried any of these, or think we should add something else to the list!
