The Best Natural Sunscreens for Wholesome Protection

Written by Ajay Chohan, Founder

What makes a truly safe yet effective sunscreen? A sunscreen that is safe for everyday use, safe for babies and safe for those with the most sensitive of skins? Sunscreens that — of course — provide reliable broad spectrum UV protection…it’s why they are there. And the fun part, after the UV protection bit is taken care of, a sunscreen that actually nourishes our skin?

To start, the best sunscreen companies are transparent about their full ingredient list. Diving deep into the full ingredient list and literally researching EVERY ingredient is the only way to find truly non-toxic sunscreens — a part I have already done =).

As I was researching “safe mineral sunscreens” for example, some of the top product recommendations that popped up on Google still had toxic ingredients like the allergen Octisalate linked with contact dermatitis & itchy skin rashes. Many of the “best sunscreens” were also full of synthetic plastic ingredients like Dimethicone, which basically gives the appearance of shiny radiant skin. Lame.

Now, there were certain “safe” or “clean” sunscreen brands whose entire active ingredient list came from potentially toxic petrochemicals that the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and the FDA has concerns about and is “seeking more information on….” So the active ingredients read — Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate and Octocrylene — all petrochemicals that should be avoided. Not exactly safe.

The point of emphasis being, diving into the full ingredient list is the only way to identify a sunscreen that’s safe, do not let the misleading copywriting fool you. But enough about the sunscreens we should be avoiding. Let’s get right into the qualities of a better sunscreen followed by recommendations.

soothing aloe vera leaf extract — in its wholesome state — a common ingredient in natural sunscreens

Qualities of a (Much) Better Sunscreen:

TL;DR: Ideal Sunscreen = Zinc Oxide + an all-natural blend + NOTHING ELSE!

1. The Sunscreen Itself Can Not be Toxic

   Before even looking at things like SPF level or water resistance, let’s first make sure the sunscreen ingredients themselves are not toxic. This is especially important as we know that the ‘big 3’ chemical sunscreen brands — Banana Boat, Coppertone and Neutrogena — have failed to help reduce skin cancer rates over the past half a century anyways. So why risk it with their potentially toxic active ingredients and all the synthetic additives when they haven’t even done what they promised?

   • The 6 harmful ‘active ingredients’ in chemical sunscreens to avoid are Avobenzone, Oxybenzone, Octocrylene, Homosalate, Octisalate, and Octinoxate. These are linked with immediate health effects like allergic skin reactions as well as the more serious longer term consequences such as hormonal & endocrine disruptions and lowered testosterone levels

   • Disturbingly, the FDA does not consider these active ingredients to be GRASE, or ‘generally recognized as safe and effective,’ yet they are commonly used in all chemical sunscreens!

2. Safe & Effective Active Ingredients

   The search for non-toxic active ingredients that provide effective and broad spectrum UV protection leads us to mineral based sunscreens. There are currently two ingredients used in physical mineral sunscreens that provide effective UV coverage: Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. Look for these two as the active ingredients in their non-nano form when searching for a mineral sunscreen. Non-nano meaning they will not be absorbed by our skin

   • Zinc Oxide: Zinc Oxide provides broad spectrum coverage protecting us from both UVA and UVB rays. Zinc Oxide is the most common active ingredient in mineral based sunscreens

   • Titanium Dioxide: Along with Zinc Oxide, these two ingredients are classified by the FDA as GRASE. Now, I personally prefer sticking to sunscreens with Zinc Oxide as the sole active ingredient, as it has been more extensively tested

3. Wholesome and All-Natural Ingredients that Nourish

   Now, what if in addition to providing effective coverage, the sunscreen was actually good for our skin? This might sound like asking a lot, but the ingredients in high quality natural sunscreens should do just that.

   Plants have naturally occurring antioxidant and healing properties — which are best preserved when used in their wholesome state. Sunscreens with plant extracts help improve our skin’s tone and texture whilst providing broad spectrum UV protection!

4. Price Accessibility

   Natural sunscreens with wholesome plant extracts & essential oils to nourish skin will understandably come at a higher price point than petrochemical based sunscreens filled with cheap synthetic additives. HAVING SAID THAT, the sunscreens I selected below still needed to be affordable and worth the price! I excluded any pretentious brands using corny phrases like ‘ultra luxurious’ to justify some obnoxious price point

5. How The Sunscreen is Made + Who is Making It

   The company founders need to have integrity and a passion for what they are making. The founders of the small companies below include beekeepers, herbalists & parents who share a passion for sustainable agriculture and unearthing the healing power of mother nature. These are often small batch concocters who concoct their concoctions carefully ;)

You guys are so patient. Based on the above research, here are my 7 best Zinc Oxide based all-natural mineral sunscreens, by category:

1. Best Overall Natural Sunscreens — Babo Botanicals

2. Best Overall All-Natural Sunscreens — runner-up — Little Hands Hawaii

3. Best Unscented All-Natural Sunscreen — Two Peas Organics

4. Best Tinted All-Natural Sunscreen — Juice Beauty

5. Best All-Natural Sunscreen For Face — No White Cast — Block Island Organics

6. Best All-Natural Sunscreen for Face — runner-up — Beauty by Earth

7. Best All-Natural Kids Sunscreen — Badger

Please Note: Small Batch Goodness is a participant in the Amazon Associates program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. When you purchase through Amazon or other affiliate links on my site, I may earn a commission.

#1

Babo Botanicals: The Best Overall All-Natural Sunscreens

Babo’s natural sunscreens use zinc oxide, a safe yet effective physical UV blocker, as the sole active ingredient. Some also use titanium dioxide, but I have excluded them here.

All their sunscreens are then full of wholesome ingredients with naturally occurring vitamins, anti-oxidants and antiseptic qualities good for our skin. These include aloe vera, and Babo’s trademark calendula & chamomilla flower extracts. The sunscreens also have the Vitamin E rich sunflower seed oil, which again provides antioxidant benefits in addition to helping our skin retain moisture which helps with dryness.

Their popular sunscreens include the Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50 and Continuous Sunscreen Spray, SPF 30. Coming to babies, Babo’s SPF 50 Baby Mineral Sunscreen Lotion is a gentle, fragrance-free and lightweight sunscreen. It’s made with that extra sensitive baby skin in mind, though Babo’s sunscreens in general are non-irritating and suitable for sensitive skins.

Kate Solomon founded Babo after her first born, leveraging her passion and knowledge for beekeeping, sustainable agriculture and unearthing the healing properties of botanicals. Make sure to read the full ingredient list of her creations to see all the plant + flower extract goodness for yourself.

#2

Little Hands Hawaii: The Best Overall All-Natural Sunscreens — runner-up

A small company that’s so easy to love. As is often the case, the founder Rosalyn Ardoin decided to create her own body care after becoming a mother. A little research on chemical sunscreen ingredients, and the realization that the sunscreens themselves were toxic, gave birth to Little Hands’ minimalist yet purposeful all-natural sunscreen.

A completely natural sunscreen safe for infants and delicate aquatic life alike, and yes, safe for you too. The sunscreen has a total of 7 ingredients including the antioxidant rich organic sunflower oil, beeswax from freely buzzing Hawaiian bees and skin elasticity promoting kokum butter. The sunscreen comes in five different tints.

Little Hands Hawaii deeply respects our ocean, the fragile ecosystem it fosters and our bodies. As Rosalyn says, “we have nothing to hide and everything to give.” This is true for their ingredients and to their manufacturing + packaging approach.

#3

Two Peas Organics: The Best Fragrance Free Sunscreen

Shocked by the ingredient profile of traditional chemical sunscreens but driven to continue enjoying the great Santa Barbara outdoors, Amy and Jeff Devers decided to make their own sunscreen.

Two Peas Organics makes 100% natural thick and rich Zinc Oxide based mineral sunscreens that will sit on top of your skin and reflect off UV rays.

Aside from Zinc Oxide, which is the sole active ingredient, the inactive ingredients that make up the rest of the sunscreen are all organic and names you will recognize. This includes nourishing beeswax, jojoba oil and shea butter.

Two Peas’ unscented sunscreens are safe for adults, babies and coral reefs. As Two Peas puts it — it’s powerful protection with only the purest ingredients.

#4

Juice Beauty: The Best Tinted Mineral Sunscreen

As the company name implies, all of Juice Beauty’s creations begin with a base of antioxidant-rich and organic botanical juices. Understanding the relationship between soil quality and the nutrient profile of what grows from it, Juice Beauty even decided to buy their own organic farm in Sonoma, California to grow malic acid rich apples and sunflowers full of lipids. You can say they are a little fancy.

Their SPF 30 tinted moisturizer sunscreen, which comes in several shades, is a multitasker. The concoction begins with a base of apple, grape and aloe juices to nourish our skin and support a radiant complexion. It then provides broad spectrum protection, an even tone, a glow with its mineral pigments and is deeply hydrating with its organic plant oils of coconut + jojoba.

Growing up, Juice Beauty’s founder Karen Behnke witnessed a toxic spill in her Michigan hometown and overcame a rare blood disorder. Always health conscious, she decided to start her own beauty brand when she became a new mother. Other Juice Beauty creations include their water resistant sport sunscreen and a green apple firming moisturizer.

#5

Block Island Organics: The Best Mineral Sunscreen for Face — No White Cast

Block Island Organics’ specialty is their transparent Zinc…meaning this facial sunscreen will not leave a white cast. Invisible Zinc is the only active ingredient in this sunscreen, with the rest of the concoction full of nourishing organic ingredients such as aloe vera gel, shea butter and green tea leaf extract.

As with all other sunscreens here, this is a physical sunblock that will reflect off and scatter both UVA and UVB rays. Naturally protecting your face from sun damage and early skin aging.

Block Island was founded by the husband-wife team of Will Bernuth and Kelly Hsiao. Realizing that excessive sun exposure is the primary cause of skin damage and aging, the couple set out to create a safe and affordable natural sunscreen. I think they have done that alright! Oh and Block Island is an actual island off Rhode Island, I didn’t know but maybe ya’ll already did.

#6

Beauty by Earth: The Best Mineral Sunscreen for Face - Runner-up

If your sun exposure is not going to be too intensive, perhaps some strolls outside the office during work days, this wholesomely moisturizing SPF 20 might be a good one for yo face.

Non-nano zinc oxide provides broad spectrum UV protection. The rest of the ingredients help nourish your skin. Aloe vera leaf juice is the first ingredient; a potent antioxidant which helps relieve dry skin. Rosmarinus leaf extract helps with our skin tone and in healing skin inflammation. Comes in both original and tinted versions.

Beauty by Earth also crafts natural self tanners. The goodness in the tanners includes the collagen production enhancing pomegranate extract which fights wrinkles + keeps skin hydrated and witch hazel extract which relieves inflammation + skin irritation. Their most popular self tanners are the overall self tanner and a tanner especially for face.

#7

Badger: The Best All-Natural Kids Mineral Sunscreen

I love all of Badger’s products, and their sunscreens will fit the ‘best natural’ selection of any category really. In this blurb though, I’ll highlight their Kids sunscreen. A natural and effective sunscreen safe for the most sensitive of skins.

The sole active ingredient is the broad spectrum UV blocker Zinc Oxide — clear zinc which will not leave a white cast. Like their other sunscreens, the full ingredient list is simple and purposeful. The remaining 8 ingredients include organic beeswax and organic jojoba oil for deep nourishment. It has a lovely summery scent which it gets from the organic orange peel oil + organic vanilla fruit extract.

Badger’s very first natural sunscreen was made by its founder Bill Whyte in 2004 — a carpenter turned concocter of all-natural goodness. We are so glad he did.

And that’s all for now. Non-toxic UV protection is a birth right and reading the full ingredients list our passage. Let me know your thoughts and if you already use any of these sunscreens!