Reliable Eco-Friendly Sunscreen Brands You Need To Know About
It’s likely you’re familiar with harmful ingredients which can be found in shampoos, conditioners, makeup and other personal care products. You’ve heard of the trouble antiperspirants can cause: reproductive issues, liver and kidney damage and even cancers. As you shop for your health and beauty products, be sure to pay attention to your sunscreens, too! Of course, you know it’s important to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. However, it’s also important that you choose the right sunscreen. Ingredients in drugstore sunblock can cause allergic reactions, hormonal imbalance and more.
The most concerning ingredient in most sunscreen is called oxybenzone. Not only does this chemical cause allergic skin reactions, it also has been shown to impact hormonal levels in adolescents and in pregnant women! That’s scary stuff! As you choose a sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun, choose one that’s reef safe, EWG and cruelty-free which will also protect you (and your family) from harmful chemicals. We’ve put together a list of the top fair trade, eco-friendly sunscreens that won’t cause harm to you or the ones you love.
1. 100% Pure
Yerba Mate Mist Sunscreen Spray SPF 30
Type of Sunscreen | Spray Sunscreen
Eco-Friendly Sunscreen Benefits | Cruelty-Free, Vegan, Non-GMO Certified, Non-Toxic, Reef-Safe, Biodegradable
Sunscreen Color Options | Clear
Sunscreen Price | $38
The first eco-friendly, non-toxic sunscreen on our list is out 100% Pure review. 100% Pure Yerba Mate Mist Sunscreen Spray is a sunscreen that goes on smoothly with no dripping or running. It offers a sun protection factor of 30 and is completely non-toxic. That means your whole family can pack just one can and head to the beach for the day.
Even better news is that this sunscreen is vegan and cruelty-free. You won’t find any of the “usual suspects” in this sunscreen; there are no phthalates, parabens or GMOs to be concerned with. As you swim and the sunscreen enters the waterways, you can rest assured that 100% Pure Yerba Mate Mist Spray won’t harm plants and animals and is one of the best sunscreens available today.
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2. Sonrei
Clearly Zinq SPF 60 Mineral Gel Sunscreen
Type of Sunscreen | Face and Body Sunscreen
Eco-Friendly Sunscreen Benefits | 98% Natural, Essential Oils, Safe for All Skin Types, Non-Toxic, Cruelty-Free
Sunscreen Color Options | White
Sunscreen Price | $72
Sonrei has compiled a catalog of the best brands and products that don’t contain ingredients on the “Dirty List.” The Dirty List is a group of ingredients which have been deemed unsafe by governing agencies and environmental groups. Whether they’re bad for your health or the environment, these ingredients will never be found in Credo products.
For our Sonrei review, we’ve chosen Mineral Sport SPF 60 mineral gel sunscreen. This sunscreen contains none of the harmful toxins in drug store sunscreen. Instead, it boasts proprietary organogel, shea butter and aloe vera. The result is a SPF 60 natural sunblock that hydrates your skin as you play in the sun safely.
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3. Earth Mama Organics
Earth Mama Organics Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 40
Type of Sunscreen | Moisturizing Body Sunscreen
Eco-Friendly Sunscreen Benefits | NSF Certified, Oregon Tilth Certified Ingredients, Water Resistant, Organic Ingredients, Reef-Friendly, Essential Oils
Sunscreen Color Options | White
Sunscreen Price | $15
Earth Mama Organics has earned a reputation as one of the leading brands for non-toxic, earth friendly products for adults and for children. For our Earth mama Organics review, we chose the Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40, a natural alternative to the typical sunscreen. This sunscreen offers the benefit of a sun protection factor of 40. Red raspberry seed oil is to credit for that! You’ll also find ingredients which are nourishing to your skin such as argan oil, shea butter, calendula extract and olive oil. It’s simply one of the best sunscreens for kids available today.
The Earth Mama Mineral Sunscreen is reef-safe and biodegradable. Ingredients in the sunblock are certified by the NSF and organics are certified by OTCO, the Oregon Tilth Certified Organic program.
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4. AILLEA
AILLEA 5 in 1 Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen SPF 30
Type of Sunscreen | Tinted Facial Sunscreen
Eco-Friendly Sunscreen Benefits | Vegan, Cruelty-Free, PETA Certified, Chemical Free, Woman Owned Business
Sunscreen Color Options | Fair, Light, Golden Light, Medium
Sunscreen Price | $45
Not headed to the beach today? You’ll still need to protect your skin! You might be interested in our AILLEA review. This 5 in 1 Natural Moisturizing Tinted Sunscreen is great for everyday use. Choose from four different shades to match your natural skin tone and enjoy natural SPF 30 protection any day. This sunscreen contains no chemicals at all. Instead, you’ll find ingredients like aloe, coconut oil, organic green tea and organic pomegranate. In addition to its protective qualities, this sunscreen conceals blemishes. Use it as a base under your makeup and enjoy gorgeous skin as well as safe sun protection.
AILLEA is a woman-owned business which offers a full line of cosmetics, skin care and hair care products. Customer who use AILLEA cosmetics say they love the way the products work and love that each can be used regardless of skin type or age.
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5. Bambo Nature
Type of Sunscreen | Infant and Children’s Sunscreen
Eco-Friendly Sunscreen Benefits | Vegan, Ecocert Certified, Organic, All Natural, Safe for Children
Sunscreen Color Options | White
Sunscreen Price |
Bambo Nature is a company that’s most well-known for its infant products, like natural and biodegradable diapers. However, you may not know the company offers a full skin care line for your littler one, too. Choose from diaper creams, lotions, baby soaps and, of course sunscreen! For our Bambo Nature review we’ve chosen the Sunny Day Mineral Sunscreen. This is, as you’d expect from Bambo Nature, a non-toxic and environmentally friendly sunblock that you can use even on the tiniest newborns. This is one of the safest and best sunscreens for kids today. It offers a sun protection factor of 30 and lasts for 80 continuous minutes.
Note that this sunblock doesn’t spread on clear! In fact, it creates a faint white barrier, perfect for judging any spots you’ve missed. Sunny Day Mineral Sunscreen is Ecocert Certified, vegan and cruelty-free.
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6. CITRINE
CITRINE Sport Mineral Sun Stick SPF 30
Type of Sunscreen | Sun Stick
Eco-Friendly Sunscreen Benefits | Green, Essential Oils, NSF Certified Organic Ingredients, Made in the USA, Reef Friendly, Water Resistant, Woman-Owned Business
Sunscreen Color Options | White
Sunscreen Price | $22
We chose to include this CITRINE review because everyone needs an on-the-go sunblock for the gym bag or glove box! The Suntegrity Sport Mineral Sun Stick gives you 80 minutes of SPF 30 protection, and is totally portable! Better yet, the sunscreen won’t clog your pores; you can use it on your face, neck and shoulders without fear of breakouts. The Suntegrity Sport Mineral Sun Stick contains some great NSF certified organic ingredients, too. Shea butter, cocoa seed butter, coconut oil and castor seed oil nourish and moisturize your skin while beeswax and aloe vera protect.
CITRINE is a woman-founded and led business, and each product in the catalog is made in the USA. While you shop for your next favorite sunscreen, be sure to check out the other cosmetics in the company line. You’ll find makeup, skincare and even gift sets for the eco-conscious ones on your list.
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7. Be Natural Organics
Be Natural Organics Organic Sunscreen Tan Tint SPF 30
Type of Sunscreen | Organic Facial Sunscreen
Eco-Friendly Sunscreen Benefits | Organic, Cruelty-Free, Vegan, Non-GMO, Made in the USA, Give Back
Sunscreen Color Options | Tint-Free, Tan Tint, Nude
Sunscreen Price | $22
Do you have a favorite BB (beauty balm) you just can’t live without? Our Be Natural Organics review just might change your mind. This organic facial sunscreen by Be Natural Organics is available in two different shades, or you can choose the tint-free for the kids in your family.
With This sunscreen offers a generous 30 SPF and is completely chemical free. Instead of harsh toxins, you’ll find jojoba oil, olive oil, shea butter and vitamins on the label. Your Organic Sunscreen by Be Natural Organics is made in the USA, and a portion of your purchase benefits some worthwhile non-profits. The Breast Cancer Fund, Habitat for Humanity and the Salvation Army are just a few partners to Be Natural Organics.
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8. Josh Rosebrook
Type of Sunscreen | SPF Day Cream
Eco-Friendly Sunscreen Benefits | Non-GMO, Organic Ingredients, Non-Toxic, Female Founder
Sunscreen Color Options | Tint-Free
Sunscreen Price |
We’ve mentioned there’s a (growing) list of ingredients which have been proven toxic to humans, animals and the environment. Another company that’s chosen to avoid these ingredients is Josh Rosebrook, a woman-founded business right here in the United States. The company offers a line of makeup, bath and body and hair products that are free from phthalates, petroleum, many other toxins. One category of banned ingredients is chemical sunscreens. Oxybenzone, homosalate, and octisalate are a few chemicals they’ve chosen to forgo. Instead, they’ve opted to include use zinc oxide due to its natural ability to block the sun’s rays.
For our Josh Rosebrook review, we’ve chosen Nutrient Day Cream SPF 30, a facial sunblock that’s packed with essential oils to improve your skin’s health. Evening primrose oil, seabuckthorn, hawthorn berry and green tea make the list of ingredients; those and many more nourish your skin and protect you from the sun while also reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles!
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9. Beautified You
Beautified You Pevonia Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 30
Type of Sunscreen | Sunblock Cream
Eco-Friendly Sunscreen Benefits | Cruelty Free, Eco-Friendly, Recyclable Packaging, Essential Oils, Family Owned Business
Sunscreen Color Options | Tint-Free
Sunscreen Price | $48
Next on our list of the best eco-friendly and non-toxic sunscreens is our Beautified You review. Pevonia Hydrating Sunscreen is a green product; in fact each of Pevonia’s health and beauty products are non-toxic and cruelty-free. You’ll find your sunscreen bottled in recyclable packaging, too. Pevonia Hydrating Sunscreen is designed for use on the face, as it’s non-comedogenic and won’t clog your pores. Many who have tried it, though, say it’s light and great for use on the neck and shoulders. You can use this natural sunscreen daily without staining your work or dress clothes.
Beautified You is an authorized outlet for Pevonia, and we love that the company is based in the United States. Reviews of Beautified You say the customer service is excellent, and this sunscreen is perfect for everyday use and for days spent outdoors.
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10. Clean Beauty Mart
Type of Sunscreen | Tinted Facial Sunscreen
Eco-Friendly Sunscreen Benefits | Eco-Friendly, Organic Ingredients, Chemical Free, EWG Approved, Essential Oils, Fair Trade
Sunscreen Color Options | Fair, Light, Golden Light, Medium
Sunscreen Price |
Clean Beauty Mart is one of our favorite online retailers. They offer vegan products as well as those specifically formulated for men. Additionally, you can shop to your heart’s content for haircare, skincare and bath “supplies” – everything you need to fully stock your vanity and makeup kit. For our Clean Beauty Mart review we picked another tinted facial sunblock. The “5 in 1” Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen by Suntegrity is chemical free, non-toxic and EWG approved. It’s also made from organic ingredients, including essential oils like sunflower, cucumber, jojoba and pomegranate.
The result is a SPF 30 sunblock that’s perfectly matched to your skin tone which nourishes your skin and helps hide blemishes. Curious about the “5 in 1?” This lotion treats your skin, hydrates, protects, primes and evens your skin tone.
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See Clean Beauty Mart Suntegrity Sunscreen SPF 30 and Primer Review
11. Blissoma
Blissoma All Good Sport Sunscreen Spray SPF 30
Type of Sunscreen | Sunscreen Spray
Eco-Friendly Sunscreen Benefits | Water Resistant, Vegan, Reef-Friendly, Biodegradable, Give Back, Woman-Owned Business
Sunscreen Color Options | Tint-Free
Sunscreen Price | $22
Whether you love jet-skiing in summer or hitting the slopes in winter, you want to stay active. Who wants to worry about constantly applying sunscreen? No one, that’s who! For our Blissoma review we’ve hand-picked the All Good Sport Sunscreen Spray, which is water resistant for up to 80 minutes. Have you been swimming for a while? No problem! Apply this sunscreen simply by spraying it onto your skin.
Like many other products on this list, Blissoma’s All Good Sport Sunscreen is reef-friendly, so you don’t have to worry about harming the environment. It’s also vegan, so you know no animals were harmed in its production, either! Blissoma is a woman-owned and led business based in the United States. The company frequently gives back to the community, choosing to support women’s groups and other non-profits in their local Missouri area.
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12. ATTITUDE
ATTITUDE Natural SPF 30 Sunscreen
Type of Sunscreen | Cream Sunscreen
Eco-Friendly Sunscreen Benefits | Essential Oils, Natural Ingredients, Eco-Friendly Company
Sunscreen Color Options | Tint-Free
Sunscreen Price | $15
This isn’t the first time we’ve featured a ATTITUDE review on Citrus Sleep. The online retailer sells many health and wellness products that are natural, organic, fair trade and socially responsible. Of course, sunscreen is included in the product offerings, and we’ve found one of the best eco-friendly sunscreens out there.
The Natural Hypoallergenic Mineral Sunscreen at ATTITUDE boasts an SPF of 30, meaning this cream protects your skin from a full 97% of the sun’s harmful rays! The sunblock is designed to be used on the face, and you can wear it as a base layer under your makeup. Women and men alike love this product, and many reviews say it feels and smells great.
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13. Fig & Flower
Fig & Flower URSA Major Force Field Daily Defense Lotion SPF 18
Type of Sunscreen | Cream Sunscreen
Eco-Friendly Sunscreen Benefits | Essential Oils, Sulfate Free, Paraben Free, Vegan, Cruelty Free International Certified
Sunscreen Color Options | Tint-Free
Sunscreen Price | $54
There’s a lot to love about our Fig & Flower review. The Ursa Major Force Field Daily Defense Lotion is just as the name would suggest: a lotion you can use daily to protect you from the dangers of the sun. This sunscreen doesn’t just protect, either. It contains moisturizers and even anti-aging agents to help fight the signs of wrinkles and fine lines. Some of the great ingredients you’ll find in Ursa Major Force Field include Mexican prickly poppy, alpine rose and Swiss apple. You’ll also love the benefits of jojoba, aloe, sunflower seed oil and shea butter. Women who have used Fig & Flower’s sunscreen say they’ve noticed softer, smoother skin.
This sunblock contains many organic ingredients, and is cruelty-free and vegan. In fact, every Ursa Major product is certified by Cruelty Free International to be kind to animals.
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14. Honey Colony
Honey Colony Two Pack 3rd Rock SPF Sunscreen
Type of Sunscreen | Cream Sunscreen
Eco-Friendly Sunscreen Benefits | Food Grade Ingredients, Non-Toxic, Eco-Friendly, Cruelty-Free, Made in the USA
Sunscreen Color Options | Tint-Free
Sunscreen Price | $50 for 2
If you’re the proud parent or friend of a typical “taste-testing” toddler, this Honey Colony review is just what you’ve been looking for. The 3rd Rock Sunblock by Honey Colony is made from 100% foodsafe ingredients! As you’d imagine, the sunscreen is completely natural and biodegradable. It’s also cruelty-free. Even if you don’t have toddlers hanging around, you’ll love this sunscreen. It provides an SPF of 35 and several ingredients that are nourishing to your skin. Rosemary oil, olive oil, frankincense and arrowroot provide benefits to your skin while beeswax locks in moisture naturally.
Homey Colony is an American Company and all products are made in the USA. In addition to beauty products, Honey Colony offers nutritional supplements, home and garden products and more – all made with natural ingredients and materials.
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15. Lather
Type of Sunscreen | Daily Facial Sunscreen
Eco-Friendly Sunscreen Benefits | Essential Oils, Woman Owned Business, Natural Ingredients, Cruelty-Free, Sulfate and Paraben Free, Give Back
Sunscreen Color Options | Tint-Free
Sunscreen Price |
Last on the list of the best eco-friendly, non-toxic sunscreens is our LATHER review. LATHER products are frequently shipped to hotels around the world; you may have used their delightful soaps and lotions in your travels. Of course, for this review we’ve chosen the Daily Defense Facial Sunscreen. The SPF 30 formula is sulfate, paraben and cruelty free, and are Leaping Bunny and PETA approved! Even the packaging is earth friendly. LATHER uses recycled and recyclable packaging and soy based ink in production.
What makes LATHER Daily Defense Facial Sunscreen so great? In addition to protection from the sun, you’ll enjoy the benefits of essential oils like coconut, sunflower, rosehip, rosemary and sweet almond. You can use this sunblock daily as it won’t clog your pores. Finally, every purchase of this LATHER sunscreen supports non-profits like the Baobab Guardians Programme.
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Protect Your Skin From The Sun’s Rays and Your Health
Most eco-conscious people pay close attention to the ingredients in skin care items, shampoos, sprays, lotions and other beauty products. However, many overlook one important aspect of a healthy skincare routine: sunblock and cruelty-free sunscreen! It’s important to find the best sunscreens for kids that not only has the a SPF rating of 30 and up, but an eco-friendly safe creme. Avoid harmful chemicals often found in sunscreen and enjoy knowing that you’re protecting your skin from the sun, but also protecting your health and your planet.
Karen A Mulvey is a personal social blogger and mom with 14 years of experience in the every day world of motherhood and sustainable product research. Karen is on a mission to help everyday families select sustainable, non-toxic organic products, stop stressing about uncertainties on sustainable home goods and apparel, and start living the life they’ve always wanted.
Follow Karen at @karenAmulveycs | Karen A Mulvey
