It’s scary to think that so many of the sunblocks on the market today cause much of the damage they’re meant to protect us from. With scary ingredients like parabens, PABA, oxybenzone, avobezone, and octisalate, the sun is the least of your worries. That’s why choosing organic and natural sunscreens is so important.
Thanks to the Environmental Working Group’s Guide to Safer Sunscreens, finding good products has never been easier–in fact, all of these products are low hazard in terms of the ingredients used. At the same time, I chose natural sunscreens that are easy to apply, leave your skin feeling soft, and use yummy ingredients like avocado oil and shea butter. Let’s take a closer look.
17 of the Best Natural Sunscreens for Your Favorite Beach Bum
1. Aubrey Organics Natural Sun Sunscreen, Unscented, SPF 26
I live about 10 minutes by bike from the beach so I’m well aware of the importance of natural sunscreens. I’m constantly looking for naturally effective ingredients like kukui and macadamia nut oils and other plant-based skin hydrators, that’s why I’ve long been a fan of Aubrey Organics because the brands products are both clean and effective. Its natural sunscreens are no exception. Price: $12.76 EWG Rating
BALM! Baby SUN!, SPF 30 is thick like body butter and it’s safe for parents and kids alike. Enjoy ingredients like beeswax, coconut oil, shea butter, apricot, and essential oils. Price: $9.99 EWG Rating
3. MDSolarSciences Mineral Creme Sunscreen, SPF 50
With MDSolarSciences Mineral Creme Sunscreen, SPF 50’s excellent UVA/UVB coverage, you’ll be well protected from the sun. This product is really effective and it’s safe. Price: $30.00 EWG Rating
4. Suntegrity
Suntegrity is a natural mineral sunscreen that’s rich while at the same time non-greasy. It’s chemical-free and infused with antioxidants like astaxanthin, red algae, and pomegranate. It’s superfood for your skin. Price $45 EWG Rating
5. All Terrain AquaSport Face Stick Skin Protectant SPF 28
All Terrain AquaSport Face Stick Skin Protectant SPF 28 is free of harmful ingredients, sweat proof, and absorbs quickly. It’s effective but not so thick that it clogs your pores and causes acne. Price $8.99 EWG Rating
6. COOLA® Suncare ‘Unscented’ Baby Mineral Moisturizer SPF 50
COOLA is a mineral sunscreen and moisturizer made with shea butter, coconut oil, and safflower oil–it’s a slew of my favorite ingredients all wrapped up in a delicious sunscreen. Price: $36.00 EWG Rating
7. Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen, SPF 30
Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen, SPF 30 has some great qualities in terms of good sun protection, hydration, and it’s good for acne prone skin. Price: $15.16 EWG Rating
8. Beyond Coastal Lip & Face Screen, SPF 30
Beyond Coastal Lip & Face Screen, SPF 30 is made with aloe vera, shea butter, mango butter, cocoa butter, beeswax, and vitamin E. You can’t get much cleaner than that. Price: $5.99 EWG Rating
9. Juice Beauty Tinted Mineral Moisturizer, SPF 30
Juice Beauty Tinted Mineral Moisturizer, SPF 30 is non-toxic and non-greasy. While it’s on the pricier end of the spectrum at $30, it’s both effective and it doesn’t include a single chemical. Price: $29.99 EWG Rating
10. California Baby Super Sensitive Broad Spectrum SPF 30+ Sunscreen
California Baby is a little thick to apply, so it takes a while to work into the skin, but at the same time it’s a high quality sunscreen that you don’t need to reapply as often. Price: 17.99 EWG Rating
11. Sunology Natural Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50
Sunology Natural Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50 makes for great sun protection without oxybenzone, avobezone, octisalate, homosalate or other chemical active ingredients. Price: $14.99 EWG Rating
12. thinksport LIVESTRONG SUNSCREEN SPF50
thinksport LIVESTRONG SUNSCREEN SPF50 is chemical and fragrance free and contains no parabens, phthalates, PABA or 1,4 dioxane. Price: $15.99 EWG Rating
13. Honest Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
Honest Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 is free of parabens, PABA, phthalates, fragrances, petrochemicals, dyes, synthetic chemical sunscreens, and most common allergens.. With no harsh chemicals, it won’t burn tender skin. What’s more, it provides maximum protection for beach bums. Price: $19.99 EWG Rating
14. Marie Veronique Organics MVO Everyday Coverage
I love Marie Veronique Organics MVO Everyday Coverage because it provides ample protection and it’s easy to apply. It’s ideal for sensitive skin. Price: $48.00 EWG Rating
15. Goddess Garden Sunny Body Natural Sunscreen
Goddess Garden is free of chemicals and made with 92 percent organic ingredients. It’s also biodegradable and includes sunflower oil and aloe vera. Price: $19.99 EWG Rating
16. Thinkbaby Sunscreen SPF 50+ Benefiting LIVESTRONG
Thinkbaby Sunscreen SPF 50+ Benefiting LIVESTRONG is gentle on your skin but tough on the sun’s rays. It’s made with aloe, cranberry seed oil, castor oil, papaya oil, and epsom salts. It’s easy on your skin and the planet. Price: $14.99 EWG Rating
17. Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Sunscreen Stick
Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Sunscreen Stick is a great product because when you sweat, it doesn’t run into your eyes and burn like some products. It’s also chemical and fragrance. Price: $7.99 EWG Rating
Check out and shop our top sunscreen picks here:
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Image: Randy Robertson