10 best natural sunscreens to protect your skin this summer

From beach getaways to picnics and hiking trips, the summer months are the best time for outdoor fun. But all those hours basking in the hot summer sun can damage your skin, if you’re not careful. 

With the joys of summer comes the challenge of finding the best sunscreens with natural ingredients that are safe for your skin and the environment.

Given the increasing product recalls on sunscreens, and with some ingredients found to be harmful to coral reefs, it’s essential to pick safe and natural sunscreens.

Before we list down the best natural sunscreens, here’s the lowdown on what ingredients to stay away from.

What ingredients to avoid

Experts suggest sunscreens with mineral UV-blocking components like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Organizations like Save the Reef recommend checking labels to avoid these harmful ingredients:

• Oxybenzone
• Octinoxate
• Octocrylene
• Homosalate
• 4-methylbenzylidene camphor
• PABA
• Parabens
• Triclosan
• Nanoparticles (find labels that say “micro-sized” or “non-nano”)
• Microplastics like exfoliating beads

Hawaii was the first state to ban octinoxate and oxybenzone sunscreens in 2018 with Bonaire, Palau and Aruba following suit.

What dermatologists recommend

The American Academy of Dermatology suggests you look for the following when choosing your sunscreens:

• SPF 30 or higher for sufficient protection
• Broad spectrum for shield against UVA and UVB rays
• Water-resistant sunscreen to ensure efficiency on wet or sweaty skin, lasting for 40-80 minutes tops

What is SPF?

SPF or Sun Protection Factor measures how well sunscreen protects your skin from sunburn. It indicates the duration of how long you can stay under the sun without getting burned. For instance, if your skin normally burns in 10 minutes, an SPF 15 sunscreen can protect you for about 2.5 hours.

Best sunscreens with natural ingredients

• Best Overall: EltaMD UV Sport Body Sunscreen
• Best Face Sunscreen: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Sunscreen
• Best Value: Hawaiian Tropic AntiOxidant+ Sunscreen Lotion
• Best Stick Sunscreen: CeraVe Mineral Sunscreen Stick
• Best Mineral Sunscreen: Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen
• Best Natural Tinted Sunscreen: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50
• Best Natural Sunscreen Spray: Bare Republic Mineral Sunscreen Spray SPF 50
• Best Reef-friendly Sunscreen: Thrive Natural Care Body Mineral Sunscreen
• Best Natural Sunscreen for Acne-Prone Skin: Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 50+
• Best Daily Sunscreen (even post-Summer): Cocokind Daily SPF 32

Best Overall: EltaMD UV Sport Body Sunscreen SPF 50

Price: $31

A sunscreen that combines octisalate and zinc oxide promises a worry-free summer. It’s a must-have for robust sun protection. Providing a full body protection for up to 80 minutes, this natural sunscreen is also sweat resistant.

Best Face Sunscreen: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Sunscreen

Price: $32.99

Infused with La-Roche-Posay Anthelios thermal spring water from France, it offers a soothing effect with fast-absorbing, non-greasy texture and matte finish.

Best Value: Hawaiian Tropic AntiOxidant+ Sunscreen Lotion

Price: $9.99

Boasting an SPF 50 protection, it is packed with green tea extract for an antioxidant layer. With a delightful tropical scent, it is also water resistant for up to 80 minutes and free from chemicals octinoxate and oxybenzone.

Best Stick Sunscreen: CeraVe Mineral Sunscreen Stick

Price: $8.97

Offering SPF 50, this stick is convenient and lightweight. Suitable for all skin types, it is also oil and fragrance-free, formulated with a micro-fine zinc oxide to give you that clear finish.

You may also like: Best Sunscreen Sticks for Sensitive Skin

Best Mineral Sunscreen: Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen

Price: $14.98

Blue Lizard just loves the reef so they aim to protect both your skin and marine life, ensuring this sunscreen with the best natural ingredients contain zero octinoxate and oxybenzone. 

With an SPF 50 broad spectrum protection using titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, this sunscreen offers water and sweat resistance for up to 80 minutes. Plus, it’s fragrance and paraben-free — perfect for sensitive skin.

Best Natural Tinted Sunscreen: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50

Price: $29

An award-winning find, this sunscreen offers broad spectrum protection and iron oxides for a natural glow sans the non-greasy texture. Mild on the skin, it’s also featherlight when applied on your skin and gives you an even skin tone. 

Best Sunscreen Spray: Bare Republic Mineral Sunscreen Spray SPF 50

Price: $16

This easy-to-use natural sunscreen spray offers chemical-free broad spectrum with non-nano zinc oxide. Enriched with antioxidant oils, you’ll also come out smelling fresh with its citrusy scent.

Best reef-friendly sunscreen: Thrive Natural Care Body Mineral Sunscreen

Price: $29.95

This reef-saver boasts a hefty 23.5 percent non-nano zinc oxide, offering water-resistance for 80 minutes. While it’s a chemical-free alternative, you can also say goodbye to greasy finish and white-cast.

Best Natural Sunscreen for Acne-Prone Skin: Isdin Eryfotona Actinica SPF 50+ Mineral Sunscreen

Price: $53

If you have oily or acne prone skin, anything heavy with chemicals is a red flag. Good thing this sunscreen with  the best natural ingredients, like Vitamin E and zinc oxide, is here to your rescue with its moisturizing and lightweight formula that’s perfect even under make-up.

Best daily sunscreen (even post-summer): Cocokind Daily SPF 32

Price: $ 24.82

Consider this your skin’s new BFF. Packed with blue phytoplankton, non-nano zinc oxide and microalgae, it fends off pollution and UVA/UVB rays. Think dewy glow that’s non greasy and a shield against blue light, that’s Cocokind for you.

Sunscreen product recalls

While it’s vital to know the top-notch natural sunscreens in the market, it’s also important to be updated on the latest sunscreen recalls.

Just this month, the FDA announced that Suntegrity Skincare voluntarily recalled their Impeccable Skin Sunscreen Foundation due to their high levels of microbiological mold.

Furthermore, Johnson & Johnson recalled five Neutrogena and Aveeno aerosol sunscreens because of benzene contamination — an ingredient that increases the risk of blood disease.

Before you hit the beach with the best sunscreens with natural ingredients, check here to make sure your skin products are not on the FDA list of product recalls.

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