By: Paxton Ruzicka
Published: January 15, 2023
This post contains affiliate links meaning I may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using these links. That being said, I only recommend products I love and trust.
While sunscreen is suppose to be protecting us, the majority of the brands out there are doing more harm than good. Just like many other cosmetic products on the market today, sunscreen can contain yucky and harmful chemicals, that pose a risk to our health. Choosing a non-toxic sunscreen is crucial to protecting our skin and our health.
Lucky for us, we have this wonderful resource called the Environmental Working Group or EWG, for short. I have used EWG to research so many different topics from non- toxic makeup to safe cleaning supplies.
EWG’s ongoing efforts to thoroughly research a wide variety of sunscreen brands, keeps us regularly informed. This research is complied into a yearly updated guide to help us easily determine the best chemical free sunscreen for ourselves and our families.
Let’s Break It Down
Of course you don’t want to spend hours reviewing and reading through this guide, and you don’t have to. Because I have done it for you. You’re welcome.
First understand that sunscreen is ranked 1 to 10. One being the best score (and 10 the worst). With more than 1,800 sunscreen products reviewed, we now have the important information we need to know which brands to avoid.
According to EWG, only about a quarter of the products reviewed provide adequate protection, without compromising ingredients. Read that again. It really makes no sense to me why something that is supposed to be protecting us, might be causing more harm than good.
My Research
Through my personal research, I have found the best type of non-toxic sunscreen is mineral sunscreen. Mineral sunscreen protects us by physically blocking the sun from our skin (reflecting away UV rays), where conventional (or chemical sunscreen) absorbs the UV rays through a chemical reaction. Keep in mind, before these chemicals can offer any UV protection, your skin has to absorb them.
Let’s discuss these two types of sunscreen further.
Conventional Chemical-Based Sunscreen
Oxybenzone, Avobenzone, and Octinoxate are just some of the ingredients we often find in conventional sunscreen. These ingredients can disrupt our hormone system, leach into our bloodstream, and have even been found in women’s breast milk.
Additionally, chemical-based sunscreens wash into the ocean, negatively affecting marine life and oceanic ecosystems. Be mindful to look for the “reef-safe” guarantee on the bottle.
Another con to conventional sunscreen is that it is often found in a spray bottle, with colorful and fun logos, spray bottles pose yet another risk to our health. In the same way second-hand smoke can cause cancer, inhaling these chemicals is dangerous especially those with allergies or asthma. The risks associated with this modern convenience far outweighs the benefits.
Mineral-Based Sunscreen
On the flip side, mineral sunscreen contains an active ingredient called Zinc Oxide – specifically, non-nano. Non-nano meaning the particles are larger than a nanometer, and they cannot enter your skin. This physical barrier (the thick white residue), often times gets a bad wrap due to the inability to “rub in”.
Believe me, I understand the struggle. I have tried a handful of mineral sunscreens that haven’t satisfied me. But fortunately, there are many brands out there that add hydrating and safe ingredients to create a thinner, lotion-like product. These products are easy to apply and actually rub in well.
If you are curious about Zinc Oxide, sleep well knowing that it is naturally derived and has been used in first aid, food, and cosmetic products for hundreds of years.
Here are my favorite non-toxic sunscreen brands
Badger
Badger sunscreen is a fantastic choice if you are looking for a safe option that is reef friendly! Ninety-eight percent organic ingredients and scoring a one by EWG. Badger is also a great budget friendly option, averaging around $15 a bottle. This option is long lasting and provides adequate coverage.
I personally love that they have a plastic-free option as well.
While Badger sunscreen can be harder to rub in, I will admit, it does eventually rub in and does so in a way that is thick and even.
Raw Elements
Next, we have Raw Elements. This is my new personal favorite. Not only is it reef safe AND cruelty free, it also smells fantastic.
They have a variety of sunscreen to choose from including tinted, baby and kids, lip and more. While this product comes at a slightly higher price point, around $18 bottle, it’s worth the money.
Raw Elements is made in the USA, is non-GMO project approved, and Leaping Bunny Certified. Scoring a one by EWG, this company goes above and beyond. Use code EARTHTOPAXTON at this link for a discount!
Attitude
Attitude is actually EWG verified. This score is even better than one. This means the brand has the highest possible standards in terms of health and transparency.
I love how Attitude packages their product in compostable, paper based tubes. This sunscreen is vegan, reef safe, and hypoallergenic.
For the full list of non-toxic sunscreen, check out this article:
Is Sunscreen Safe? 13 Chemical Free Sunscreen Brands
Self-Tanner
We all love a good tan – and luckily for us, there are some better ways to get a tan than to sit in the sun for hours. I am talking about self-tanner. One brand I really have enjoyed using is Beauty by Earth Self Tanner Tanning Lotion
The ingredients are clean, it smells nice, and the results are top notch. The tan last 3-5 days and is buildable, meaning you can layer it for a darker color. I would highly recommend this product for a sun-less tan.
For me, non-toxic sunscreen is a necessity in our household. We live at the beach, what more can I say. So finding the right product is extremely important, especially when our health is at risk. I hope you find this guide helpful. For a full version of non-toxic sunscreen brands, check out this article. Now get out there and enjoy the sunshine!
Much love, Paxton
This is VERY helpful for me! I’ve really been focusing on skincare and hair care products since I learned that my kids have very sensitive eczema prone skin. Lucky for my kids, they’re just as pale as me and need sunblock all the time.
So glad I could help! You should checkout my newest post on soap nuts. A perfect detergent alternative for kiddo’s with sensitive skin.