While natural sunlight provides many health benefits, like balancing your circadian rhythm, vitamin D absorption, and even happiness, too much sun exposure can cause some serious damage to your skin!
Gone are the days of baby oil and aluminum. We now realize that our skin health is too important to sacrifice a little bit of a tan. Too much exposure to harmful UV rays from sunlight is a risk factor for advanced wrinkle formation, sun spots, and even skin cancer.
However, before you start slathering on the good ole’ sunscreen, make sure you know the facts about non-toxic sunscreens, which ones work best, and what potentially dangerous ingredients to avoid. This article will explain what to look for in a safer sunscreen and provide 7 of our best choices for non-toxic sunscreen!
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The Danger of Conventional Sunscreens
Unfortunately, not all sunscreens are created equal. There are two main types of sunscreen: mineral-based and chemical-based.
Mineral sunscreens are made with two compounds called zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These minerals sit on the surface of your skin and physically reflect sunlight away from the skin.
Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, absorb the UV rays into the skin and use a chemical reaction under your skin to protect you from sunburns. Most conventional sunscreens on the market are chemical-based sunscreens and are the most worrisome when it comes to potentially dangerous ingredients. In fact, a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed that common chemical-based sunscreens are absorbed into the bloodstream at potentially toxic levels after just one day of use (1).
If that’s not enough, most chemical-based sunscreens include an ingredient called oxybenzone, which may have many dangerous side-effects. For example, oxybenzone is a known endocrine disrupter, which means that it mimics natural hormones in the body and may lead to hormonal imbalances (2). Oxybenzone has also been linked to allergic reactions and damage to natural ocean environments and the coral reef. Although many claims have been made about the potential role of oxybenzone in cancer development, there isn’t enough valid research to back up these claims.
Other potentially dangerous ingredients in addition to oxybenzone include avobenzone, homosalata, and octinoxate.
What Makes a Natural Non-Toxic Sunscreen?
Because of the potential dangers in conventional sunscreen, we recommend using a non-toxic sunscreen that protects you from harmful rays without unwanted chemicals. Here are a few top factors to look for in an effective and safe sunscreen.
Broad Spectrum
The label of “broad spectrum” on sunscreen means that it protects your skin from both types of damaging UV rays – UVA and UVB rays.
SPF 30
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and is a measure of a sunscreen’s ability to prevent UV rays from damaging the skin.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends at least a 30 SPF sunscreen (X). However, a higher SPF does not necessarily mean you’re getting a ton more protection. For example, an SPF 30 sunscreen can block about 97% of UV rays while an SPF 50 may block about 98% of UV rays (X). Nonetheless, if you have very sun-sensitive or pale skin, the additional one percent may be worth the extra protection.
Mineral Sunscreen
Mineral sunscreens are made with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and do not absorb into your bloodstream. Rather, these minerals sit on the surface of your skin and physically reflect sunlight away from the skin. What’s more, zinc oxide even has some antibacterial properties which make it a useful sunscreen for those of us with acne-prone skin.
No Oxybenzone
Like we mentioned above, oxybenzone has been associated with some harmful risk factors and environmental concerns, so it’s best to avoid this ingredient in your sunscreen, if possible.
Water-Resistant
This factor is particularly beneficial for kiddos and those of us splashing around in the water. The words “water-resistant” on a label tells you that the sunscreen will stay on wet or sweaty skin for a while before you need to reapply. Usually, water-resistance either lasts 40 or 80 minutes.
Our Top 10 Natural Sunscreen Picks
All of these products in our top suggestions are mineral-based sunscreens and avoid the use of dangerous ingredients, like oxybenzone. They provide at least SPF 30 protection and broad-spectrum coverage.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) Skin Deep Database is a great resource for ranking various skincare products based on their potential toxicity. EWG groups their rankings into three separate categories: 1-2 low hazard, 3-6 moderate hazard, and 7-10 high hazard. We’ll provide the EWG scores for all of our favorite non-toxic sunscreen suggestions!
Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen
If you or anyone in your family have uber-sensitive skin, then the Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen is for you. This mineral-based sunscreen provides 10% zinc oxide and 5% titanium dioxide for a broad spectrum SPF 30 protection. It is also unscented. Plus, if you buy a lot of your products based on reviews (we love reviews) this mineral sunscreen has almost 1,200 positive reviews on Amazon AND has a top rating score on the EWG Skin Deep website! #Winning.
SPF Protection: SPF 30
EWG Skin Deep Rating: 1
Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen
We’re staying on this lizard train and recommending the Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen for safer protection for your little one’s delicate skin! Like the adult version, it also has a top EWG Skin Deep Rating score and provides SPF 30 protection with no chemical ingredients or fragrances.
SPF Protection: SPF 30
EWG Skin Deep Rating: 1
Sun Bum Mineral Sunscreen Lotion
For those of us needing a bit more SPF protection, the Sun Bum Mineral Sunscreen Lotion is a perfect choice. Along with 20% zinc-oxide sun protection providing SPF 50 coverage, this lotion also contains coconut oil to double as a moisturizer as well! (Ain’t nobody want crusty legs on the beach 😜).
SPF Protection: SPF 50
EWG Skin Deep Rating: 2
Coola Organic Baby Mineral Sunscreen
Need a safer sunscreen option for your baby? The Organic Baby Mineral Sunscreen from Coola is a great choice! This non-toxic sunscreen provides SPF 50 protection, unscented moisture, and uses over 70% certified organic ingredients. With double protection of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, this sunscreen does have a pretty thick texture and may leave a slight white residue. In our opinion, a little white residue is worth the protection from a sunburn and chemical ingredients!
SPF Protection: SPF 50
EWG Skin Deep Rating: 2
Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Mist
Merge the convenience of spray sunscreen with a safer, water-resistant version! The Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Mist from Beautycounter offers SPF 30 protection and smells amazing. It is formulated with 14.5% non-nano zinc oxide and is air-powered (no aerosol or propellant chemicals).
SPF Protection: SPF 30
EWG Skin Deep Rating: 3
Juice Beauty Tinted Mineral Moisturizer
Protecting your face from damaging UV rays is extremely important to maintaining youthful skin. However, most mineral non-toxic sunscreens leave a slight white residue, which isn’t ideal for maintaining a cute summer look! Luckily, this Tinted Mineral Moisturizer from Juice Beauty offers SPF 30 protection PLUS tinted coverage (in 3 different shades) to provide a warm summer glow without the yucky white residue! It has a top safety score from the EWG and provides antioxidant-rich ingredients to protect and moisturize the skin.
SPF Protection: SPF 30
EWG Skin Deep Rating: 1
Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Stick
If you’re looking for a non-toxic sunscreen for your face without any tint, then the Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Stick is a great choice. This small stick fits perfectly in your purse or beach bag and goes on smoothly to the face without too much white residue. It has a safe EWG rating of 2 and provides SPF 30 protection and water-resistance for up to 80 minutes.
SPF Protection: SPF 30
EWG Skin Deep Rating: 2
Protect Your Skin & Protect Your Health!
Protecting your skin from sun damage is the number one thing you can do to minimize signs of aging and lower your risk of developing skin cancer. Choosing a non-toxic sunscreen that is mineral-based can also protect you from other potentially dangerous ingredients.
Have you tried any mineral-based non-toxic sunscreens? What has been your experience? Comment below to share!
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