17 Best Non Toxic Sunscreens To Fully Protect Your Skin
I never leave my house without sunscreen. In fact, I have one in my car, one by my vanity, and one in my purse. I’ve tried sunscreens from many different brands mostly because I’m very picky with how my sunscreens feel on my face. If it feels oily, leaves a white cast, or is not moisturizing, I will not continue using it. So in this post, I though I’d share the 17 best non toxic sunscreens that I cannot stop using.
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Why Choose A Non Toxic Sunscreen?
There are two types of sunscreen: chemical sunscreen and mineral sunscreen.
The way chemical sunscreen works is it absorbs the sun’s rays to prevent sun damage. However, they typically have active ingredients like avobenzone and oxybenzone which are potentially unsafe chemicals for your body and the environment.
It may cause skin sensitivities or allergies, especially for those with sensitive skin.
Non-toxic mineral sunscreens, also called physical sunscreen, do not contain oxybenzone but rather contains active ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide which are both natural minerals. Some people don’t enjoy the texture of mineral-based sunscreen as much because they’re often thicker in texture.
But the good thing is it’s usually more longer-lasting than chemical sunscreens and need less frequent application.
Which Sunscreen Ingredients Should We Avoid?
These are some of the sunscreen ingredients that you should avoid.
- Oxybenzone: Oxybenzone has been linked to hormone disruption, allergic reactions, and potential risks of skin cancer. It has also been found to be harmful to coral reefs and marine life, leading to ecosystem damage. This ingredient is banned in Hawaii and a few other places where it can have hugely negative effects on coral reefs and aquatic life.
- Avobenzone: It is a commonly used chemical sunscreen ingredient that provides effective UVA protection. However, avobenzone can be unstable when exposed to sunlight which allows for potential degradation and reduced effectiveness.
- Octinoxate: Octinoxate is potentially toxic in sunscreen due to hormone disruption, allergic reactions, and its harmful effects on coral reefs.
- Homosalate: Homosalate is a common chemical sunscreen ingredient that is potentially toxic due to its hormone-disrupting properties and potential environmental impact.
- Retinyl Palmitate: Retinyl Palmitateis a form of vitamin A and it’s not inherently bad on its own. But when exposed to sunlight, it can break down and generate free radicals. This may increase the risk of skin damage.
What To Look For In A Natural Sunscreen
Sun care is super important so here’s what to look for in good sunscreen ingredients.
- Mineral based ingredients. Look for natural sunscreens with active ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These are mineral based ingredients and are effective at reflecting UV rays.
- Broad-spectrum protection. Go for sunscreens that have the term “broad-spectrum” on the labels because that means it has both UVA and UVB protection and can shield against a larger range of harmful rays.
- SPF levels. Use sunscreens with at least an SPF of 30 or higher. But the higher doesn’t always mean better. High SPF levels like anything above SPF 50 will have minimal impact.
- Fragrance free formulas. Fragrances occasionally contain ingredients that cause skin irritation. You should go for fragrance-free formulas if you have sensitive skin.
- Reef-safe. Look for toxic free sunscreens that are labeled as “reef-safe” or “ocean-friendly” because these eco-friendly sunscreens minimize the impact it has on marine life.
- No spray sunscreen. Even though non-toxic sunscreens are safe to use on skin, it’s still not safe to ingest. Spray sunscreens have the risk of getting into your eyes and mouth so we recommend choosing safer sunscreens like non toxic sunblock lotion instead.
The Best Non Toxic Sunscreens
1. Best Mineral Sunscreen: Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen
Babo Botanicals line of sunscreen products is our favorite because it glides on smoother than other nontoxic sunscreens without leaving much of a white cast.
If you have oily skin, this non-toxic sunscreen will suit you well because it’s not oily at all. For those with dry skin, it might cause flakiness for some but if you apply a good moisturizer first, it should be just fine.
The best thing about this sunscreen is it’s a 100% zinc oxide, hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free sunscreen which means it’s great for sensitive skin. It’s also EWG verified meaning it’s a very safe sunscreen to use for sun safety.
They even have a special non toxic baby sunscreen and Babo Botanicals sheer zinc one for extra sensitive skin.
2. Best Award-Winning Sunscreen: Kinfield Non Toxic Sunscreen
If you want a non toxic mineral sunscreen for face is truly water resistant, this Kinfield sunscreen is the answer. It also leaves a slightly dewy finish after applying.
It’s made with sea kelp to moisturize, aloe vera to soothe the skin, rice bran extract to nourish, glycerin to hydrate, and sunflower extract to calm the skin.
The natural sunscreen is reef-safe and made with non-nano zinc oxide. This is also a sunscreen without benzene, phenoxyethanol, PEGs, and other toxic chemicals.
Plus, the entire product is made out of recyclable materials. This product was even awarded “best sunscreen in 2023” by SELF magazine.
3. Best Innovative Sunscreen: Blue Lizard Sunscreen
Do you ever feel like you need a reminder to apply sunscreen? Well, this Blue Lizard Sunscreen is going to be a life saver because the bottle (pictured left) has a special technology where it turns blue once it detects there are harmful UV rays.
It’s one of the best chemical-free sunscreen for face that’s reef safe and doesn’t contain oxybenzone or octinoxate. With an SPF of 50, it’s high enough to block out the most harmful UV rays.
This reef-safe sunscreen is also paraben-free, fragrance-free, and ideal for sensitive skin.
And since it’s sweat and water resistant, it works well if you’re swimming or doing water activities. This can be used as a face sunscreen or a body sunscreen lotion.
4. Best Organic Sunscreen: Juice Beauty Sunscreen
Juice Beauty is primarily known for their non toxic and clean makeup products but this Juice Beauty Prebiotix sunscreen is amazing at nourishing your skin with healthy and natural ingredients also.
There is antioxidant-rich emblica fruit, organic viola tricolor to help hydration, and inulin which has prebiotic properties. It’s also infused with jojoba oil and of course, zinc.
Plus, this is one of the few good organic sunscreens that are non toxic.
The formula has a bit of glitter and shimmer in it which might not be for everyone. But it can be great for those who don’t typically wear makeup but want to add a little something.
5. Best Sunscreen for Dry Skin: Pipette Non Toxic Sunscreen
If you have dry skin, this Pipette Mineral Sunscreen lotion SPF might be your next holy grail. The texture is quite oily so not ideal for those will oily skin. But for dry skin folks, you don’t need to worry about your skin getting flaky with this product.
It’s advertised as a non toxic sunscreen for kids and babies but it’s just as good for adults and for the entire family. This clean sunscreen made with safe ingredients is created with 100% sugarcane-derived squalene which helps the product glide on smoothly.
This product doesn’t leave a white cast. It also contains good skin nutrients like wild gooseberry extract which calms skin and plant-derived antioxidant bisabolol to moisturize.
6. Best Affordable Non Toxic Sunscreen: Earth Mama Sunscreen
This Earth Mama Sunscreen is one of the most non-toxic sunscreens made with no artificial fragrance, no harmful ingredients, and non-nano zinc. It’s been pediatrician and dermatologist tested to be safe to use.
It’s one of the safest sunscreens and cleanest sunscreens on this list according to EWG. But the main concern many have is the texture. It’s quite thick and can be difficult to spread.
That problem can be solved by applying a small amount at one time or try applying with a makeup brush tool. It’s still a great healthy non toxic sunscreen option for those who care more about effective sun protection than comfort.
7. Best Non-Toxic Sunscreen For Sports: Badger Sport Sunscreen
If you often do outdoor sports, Badger sunscreens has you covered. Especially if you’re doing water sports or just sweating a ton. In fact, it has 80 minutes of sun protection and is water resistant.
It’s only made with four simple ingredients including zinc oxide, sunflower oil, beeswax, and Vitamin E. It’s also cruelty-free.
The texture is on the thicker side so it can be harder to apply. But it shouldn’t be a problem if you’re applying it in small amounts at one time.
8. Best Plastic Free Sunscreen: Attitude Sunscreen
Attitude Sunscreen is one of the only plastic-free sunscreen and is a waterless mineral-based sunscreen stick. It’s packaged in a biodegradable tube.
This eco friendly sunscreen is made with only clean ingredients like non-nano zinc oxide and is EWG verified.
The formula is quite thick but since it’s in stick form, it’s easier to apply. Plus, it’s reef-safe, hypoallergenic, ocean safe, and shields against the sun’s most powerful sun rays.
If you’re going on a trip soon, this might be the perfect face sunscreen to pack for your travels.
9. Best Non Toxic Sunscreen For Babies & Kids: ThinkBaby Sunscreen
This ThinkBaby sunscreen is one of the best choices of non-toxic face sunscreen for babies because the formula is gentle, hypoallergenic, paraben free, and is a safe sunscreen for your little one to use. It’s an SPF 50 sunscreen.
Unlike many other sunscreens that have a thick texture, this non-harmful sunscreen blends into the skin very smoothly and doesn’t leave a white cast if you mix it in well.
The product contains 20% non-nano zinc oxide and good for skin ingredients like jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid, and sunflower oil.
And since there is quite a bit of product in the packaging, it can even be one of the best clean sunscreen for body.
10. Best Zero Waste Sunscreen: Activist Skin care Sunscreen
Activist makes eco-friendly and zero waste sunscreen by creating these reusable pouches to store their non toxic sunscreen. If you apply sunscreen every time you’re outside, it’s easy to go through a bottle sunscreen fast so this Activist sunscreen comes in handy.
This refillable sunscreen blends into the skin very easily thanks to its creamy texture that doesn’t cake up. This makes it ideal for both oily and dry skin types.
The sunscreen cream is also a tinted sunscreen and comes with 4 different shades and it’s easy to even out your skin tone.
Once applied, the finish can be a bit dewy and shiny. So just apply a powder to take down the shine if you prefer that.
11. Best Affordable Tinted Sunscreen: Australian Gold Botanical Tinted Sunscreen
If you want a high quality tinted sunscreen at an affordable price point, this Australian Gold Tinted Sunscreen is a great choice.
It’s made with a gentle formula with zinc and titanium that blocks harmful UV rays effectively. This product is also very lightweight, minimizes fine lines and wrinkles, and evens out skin tone.
Even though it’s lightweight, this tinted face sunscreen still has great coverage. This product leaves a matte finish and because it’s non greasy, it’s ideal for those with oily skin.
The best part is there are no phthalates, petroleum, SLS, and parabens. And with over 14,000 reviews and a 4.4 star rating, it’s one loved by many.
12. Best Natural Sunscreen For Face: All Good Sunscreen
All Good mineral sunscreen is one of the least toxic sunscreen option for everyday use and for when doing sports.
This SPF 30 sunscreen is reef-friendly, non-greasy, and meets broad spectrum sunscreen standards so these are safe sunscreen options to block UV rays.
Not only is it non toxic but it’s also made with good for skin ingredients like coconut oil, jojoba oil, green tea, and shea butter. Green tea can help repair damaged skin from sunburns.
This toxic free sunscreen cream is a bit thick so a little bit goes a long way. And if you have dry skin, it’s best to use a moisturizer prior to applying this product on. The good thing is it’s not greasy so it’s great to use for oily skin.
13. Best Lightweight Sunscreen For Dry Skin: Sun Love by Ann Marie Sunscreen
If you have dry skin and like a liquid-like sunscreen consistency, this Ann Marie Sheer Sunscreen is perfect for you. But if you have oily skin, you likely will find this sunscreen to be too oily.
This mineral lotion is incredibly moisturizing since it contains organic wildcrafted ingredients like buriti fruit oil, pumpkin seed oil, non-nano zinc oxide.
Plus, there are no fragrances, chemicals, and colors in here. It’s also non-GMO, cruelty-free, and sustainably packaged.
14. Best Matte Sunscreen: Blissoma Facial Sunscreen + Moisturizer
Many sunscreens that are very moisturizing tend to leave a glowy and shiny finish. If you prefer a matte finish while also having lots of hydration, this Blissoma Facial Sunscreen might be your new favorite non-toxic sunscreen.
It’s a broad spectrum UVA/UVB mineral sunscreen made with organic herbs and nutrient-rich oils. The formula has a pink hue and that comes from Astaxanthin which is an antioxidant-rich algae extract.
Plus, this product won’t clog pores because it’s made with squalane and not silicones. It also doesn’t have mineral oils, petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances, synthetic colors, PEG ingredients, and other harmful chemicals.
15. Best Subtle Scent Sunscreen: Beauty By Earth Natural Sunscreen
It’s a non-toxic mineral sunscreen made with natural ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil, shea butter, and non-nano zinc oxide. It’s reef safe and ocean safe as well.
If you like a subtle scent in your sunscreen but also want only non toxic ingredients, this Beauty by Earth sunscreen is great.
The texture is quite thick but that is common in most mineral non-toxic sunblock lotions. But the good thing is it’s non-greasy.
16. Best Tinted Sunscreen: Ilia Tinted Face Serum with SPF
The Ilia Tinted Face Serum with SPF is one of the best nontoxic tinted sunscreens on the market today. It’s an SPF 40 sunscreen so it protects against most harmful UV rays.
Plus, it’s formulated with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, plant-based squalane, and non-nano zinc oxide.
The result is super moisturized and nourished skin. It’s also non-comedogenic, vegan, safe for sensitive skin, and fragrance-free.
This is the perfect makeup product to use if you want to combine your foundation and sunscreen step in one.
17. Best Lightweight Sunscreen: EleVen Sunscreen by Serena Williams
For the best lightweight sunscreen that’s made with toxic free ingredients, this EleVen Sunscreen Serum is the best. The consistency is very thin which is not commonly found in mineral body sunscreens.
The result of this clean sunscreen is a glowy and dewy finish that doesn’t feel sticky.
Some good for skin ingredients include coconut fruit extract, amino acids, electrolytes, and other antioxidants.
FAQs on Non Toxic Sunscreen
Which sunscreens are not toxic?
Mineral sunscreens from sunscreen brands like Babo Botanicals, Kinfield, and Blue Lizard are not toxic. They’re made with ingredients like zinc oxide which are not toxic for skin while being effective at protecting against harmful sun rays.
What is the least toxic drugstore sunscreen?
The least toxic drugstore sunscreen is Babo Botanicals, Blue Lizard, and Badger sunscreen. They’re all relatively inexpensive and can be found in most retail stores like Target and Walmart. All three non toxic sunscreen brands make mineral sunscreens with toxic chemicals.
Is there a chemical free sunscreen?
Yes! All safe sunscreens listed above are chemical free sunscreens.
What’s the best non toxic sunscreen for body?
The Blue Lizard Sunscreen is a great non toxic sunscreen for body and face. The bottle also has a smart technology where it turns color every time it’s exposed to harmful UV light. So it’s a good reminder to apply sunscreen to your entire body once the bottle changes color.
Is Neutrogena sunscreen toxic?
Yes, Neutrogena sunscreen is considered toxic because it contains oxybenzone and methylisothiazolinone. These are toxic ingredients you should absolutely avoid.
That’s a wrap on the best non toxic sunscreen!
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