17 Best Non-Toxic Sunscreens for your face, body & family

Growing up, I slathered on body oil and tanning oil and would lay in the sun, trying to get a deep tan. Then, in high school I started working at a tanning salon, mostly because it was a job that allowed for lots of time to do my homework. I was eventually required to go to a safety course of some sort about tanning salons, and what I learned there horrified me so much that I stopped tanning as often. (But, you know, of course I still did some because it was free and TAN WAS IN.) My manager told me I needed to tan more often to represent the salon well, and when I said I didn’t want to – because of what I learned – I got fired. True story.

That’s not to say that I’ve been perfect about wearing sunscreen ever since high school. I definitely still prefer a tan and am guilty of wanting a tan at the pool or beach or getting lazy in my everyday wear. Mostly because I hate the heavy feeling and smell of sunscreen. Thankfully there are great options now, both for my body and face, that I have no excuses to not wear sunscreen daily. And I do, 99% of the time. (I’ve also found a great tanning foam for my body and bronzing drops for my face and that helps scratch the tan itch too.)

Sun is the #1 cause of aging and causes 90% of visible changes to your skin.

And considering I’m nearly 40, aging is starting to show more on my skin these days – spots, fine lines, a bit of sagging. While I have a solid skincare routine to help keep my skin looking healthy, wearing sunscreen is the #1 must-have in my routine. (And a good retinol, moisturizer, and eye cream. Okay, fine I’m a skincare snob and am loyal to my full skincare routine.)

When choosing a sunscreen, I look for options that absorb easily and don’t leave me feeling or looking greasy so my makeup goes on well. I also prefer ones that don’t leave much of a white cast. Thankfully, many zinc-based sunscreens have improved over the years so that’s not much of an issue as in the past. I do find that sweatproof and/or water-resistant sunscreens are more prone to leaving a white cast but I don’t care about those features for my face for daily wear. However, that is important (obviously) for sunscreens that are used at the beach or the pool.

I typically go for SPF 30 because I spend a lot of time outside in my day-to-day life between running and chasing a toddler, but if you’re mostly inside, an SPF 15 should be enough sun protection. I also opt for mineral sunscreens instead of the potentially harmful synthetic formulas in many chemical sunscreens. Non-toxic, mineral sunscreens have become more popular over the years, and there are many great options to choose from now.

17 Best Non-Toxic Sunscreens

So today, what type of sunscreen is non toxic? In short, most mineral sunscreens and some chemical sunscreens, but it can be hard to know without doing lots of research. I did the research for you and I’m sharing the ones I like best for my face, for my body, for daily wear, and for days where I’m spending lots of time outside, like hiking or at the pool. I also shared my top sunscreen picks to use during pregnancy and for kids.

First, let’s break down the difference between a mineral and chemical sunscreen.

Chemical sunscreen is what you likely grew up using. It goes on clear, sometimes has that distinct “sunscreen” smell, and dries quickly. However, it’s also typically made with potentially harmful ingredients that can negatively impact your health and the environment. These sunblocks protect you by absorbing into your skin so that the chemicals are able to block UV rays.

Chemical sunscreens usually contain oxybenzone, octocrylene, ecamsule, avobenzone, and other toxic ingredients that can potentially disrupt your hormones, cause skin reactions, and worsen skin discoloration. They can also damage marine life and coral reefs.

Mineral sunscreen, on the other hand, works by reflecting the UV rays away from your body by sitting on top of your skin. The most common ingredient in a mineral sunscreen is zinc, which is safer than the chemicals typically found in synthetic sunscreens. Mineral sunscreen is a great option for most people with sensitive skin.

How to look for clean skincare and beauty products:

When you’re looking for clean skincare and beauty products, the Environmental Working Group has a great tool that can check how toxic your products are for you. EWG rates that are lower on a scale of 1 to 10 are safer. It’s not perfect, and it flags some products that can be safe for some people, but it’s a good place to start if you don’t know where to begin researching safe products. Some chemical sunscreens (like Supergoop) still score low on the EWG scale because they use clean chemicals and pass the test as safe, non-toxic sunscreens.

I shy away from the words “natural” when referring to skincare and personal care products since not all naturally-occurring ingredients are safe (e.g. lead is natural and it’s in many color cosmetics), but people often equate non-toxic sunscreens with natural sunscreens, and I think it’s important to distinguish between those two terms, since “natural” can be misleading if you’re not informed.

Okay, let’s get into some sunscreen picks so you can find the ones that will work best for you and get on with protecting your skin and enjoying your life!

Best non-toxic face sunscreens for your face, body & family

Supergoop! Mineral Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40

My top pick for clean sunscreen is the Mineral Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 by Supergoop. I started using this brand a few years ago, and I love how their products apply and feel on my skin. This sunscreen is ideal under makeup because it has a primer-finish that sort of grips your makeup and gives everything a natural finish. It’s also water and sweat resistant, so its great for summer running as well.

The Supergoop Mineral Unseen Sunscreen is available at Nordstrom, which is my favorite place to shop. Their shipping and returns are free all the time. While this exact sunscreen isn’t on sale for their Anniversary sale, so many other beauty goodies are, so be sure to take a look at my blog post with the best Nordstrom sale finds so that you can add a few other things to your cart along with this.

Dime Beauty Wonderscreen™ SPF 30

Dime Beauty’s mineral-based sunscreen provides SPF 30 protection without any toxic additives. Its key ingredients are zinc oxide, beetroot, and squalane, which help to soothe, protect, fight wrinkles, and hydrate the skin. It’s safe for all skin types, free from harmful chemicals, vegan, and cruelty-free. This is a little thicker than than some sunscreens so it takes a little more time to rub it, but it’s great once it’s fully absorbed and it’s not greasy. It also won’t leave you with a white cast. This is slightly more work to rub into skin, but I do like its packaging better.

You can read my review of other Dime Beauty products here

AnnMarie Sun Love Everyday Sheer Sunscreen SPF 20

AnnMarie Sun Love Everyday Sheer Sunscreen is a mineral-based sunscreen with SPF 30. It uses non-nano zinc oxide, buriti fruit oil, and pumpkin seed oil, and those oils help protect, nourish, firm, and tighten the skin (yes, please). The product is safe, natural, and non-toxic but it does not protect against blue light.

This sunscreen smells nice (a bit herby!) and absorbs easily. It does have a very mild texture to it… not gritty, exactly, but it’s just not super smooth like you’d expect. It doesn’t bother me, but it’s worth calling out. I love that this sunscreen has a lightweight, sheer texture that doesn’t leave a white cast on the skin, making it easy to wear alone or under makeup. If you want a natural-smelling sunscreen with anti-aging perks, I bet you’ll like this.

ECLIPSE Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

This is on my wishlist to try since I’ve heard so many good things. I’m also a sucker for the pretty pink packaging. Eclipse Sheer Mineral Sunscreen is a lightweight and clean SPF 30 mineral formula that’s non-irritating, blendable, and super hydrating. Macroalgae, green tea extract, and jojoba esters help protect from environmental stressors, blue light, and overproduction of oil (which we’re all more prone to in the warmer months) while making skin appear fresher and more radiant. It goes on sheer so it won’t leave a white cast, and doesn’t have the typical sunscreen scent so it’s perfect for everyday wear. If you’ve tried this, I’d love to hear what you think! I’m particularly interested in the macroalgae since I’ve used Osea moisturizers, which also uses marine products, and love them.

Best non-toxic spray sunscreens

Thinksport Kids SPF 50 All Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Spray

Thinksport Kids SPF 50 All Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Spray is a mineral-based, non-aerosol sunscreen spray that is specially formulated for children, but works just as well for adults. It has 20% non-nano zinc oxide and doesn’t contain oxybenzone, octinoxate, or parabens. It’s hard to find sheer mineral sunscreens, but this one is great and leaves no white cast! I keep this one in my running shoe basket and apply it before all my daytime runs!

Best non-toxic body sunscreens

Florida Squeezed SPF 50 Sunscreen Non-Aerosol Spray

This is my #1 pick for a spray sunscreen since it applies clear and smells great. Florida Squeezed SPF 50 Sunscreen Non-Aerosol Spray is a chemical sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. While it is a chemical sunscreen, it has been deemed safe and does not include oxybenzone, octinoxate, parabens, or phthalates. It’s made with vitamin E, aloe vera, and naturally scented with Florida oranges!

The clear formula is especially great for re-applying since I find white casts tend to build over the day and it was just easier to use when I had sand on my body at the beach . This is also the one I keep in my golf bag so my hands don’t get greasy with a lotion and so my golf outfits don’t get ruined by a white cast.

EltaMD UV Active Full Body Sunscreen

EltaMD is super popular sunscreen brand (known mostly for their Glow Facial Tinted Sunscreen because of Haley Bieber) but my pick is the UV Active Full Body Sunscreen Lotion by EltaMD. Not only does it have SPF 50+, but it’s made with a blend of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which work together to block both UVA and UVB rays. It’s fragrance-free AND won’t clog pores or cause breakouts. It has a VERY low rating on the EWG scale, making it a good option for many! This was also a top pick when I polled my Instagram friends on their favorite sunscreens!

Badger Sport Mineral Sunscreen Cream SPF 40

Badger Sport Sunscreen Cream SPF 40 is a mineral-based sunscreen made with organic sunflower oil, beeswax, and vitamin E for extra hydration. The product is free from harmful chemicals, hypoallergenic, and unscented. This can also be used on your face, but some people complained of a greasy feeling, so if you have oily skin I would pass. This formula is water-resistant and made for outdoor activities and sports (which is perfect for hot North Carolina summers). This was another top pick from my Instagram friends.

Best non-toxic sunscreen for pregnancy

When it comes to choosing sunscreen during pregnancy, you want to make sure to look for products that are safe and non-toxic for both you and your baby. It’s always a good idea to consult with your healthcare provider before using any new skincare products during pregnancy, but this is a great non-toxic option:

Thinkbaby SPF 50+ Baby Sunscreen

Thinkbaby SPF 50+ Baby Sunscreen is a mineral sunscreen that does not contain oxybenzone and octinoxate. It is also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and provides broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection. And not only is it great for pregnancy, but this is also a great good option for babies (which is actually who it’s made for!) since it’s been tested for skin irritation and allergy.

Best non-toxic sunscreen for sensitive skin

Alba Botanica Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30+

Alba Botanica Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30+ is a mineral-based sunscreen that is lightweight and non-comedogenic. Niacinamide, squalane, and vitamin E make this formula hydrating, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging. It’s free of harsh chemicals, parabens, and synthetic fragrances, making it safe for sensitive skin. Even though the formula is super nourishing, it’s not too greasy and doesn’t leave a white cast. This is one of the (MUCH) more affordable options for non-toxic sunscreens!

Babo Botanicals Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 for Extra Sensitive Skin

Babo Botanicals is an SPF 50 mineral sunscreen made for sensitive skin. It’s free of harsh chemicals, fragrances, and allergens, making it a safe and non-toxic option for people who are extra prone to irritation. It’s not too greasy and doesn’t clog pores or leave a white cast. It absorbs super easily into your skin, and the scent is very light and natural! This is another budget-friendly option!

Best non-toxic tinted sunscreen

I really only like to use tinted sunscreen on my face since tinted body sunscreens rub off on everything. For face sunscreen, these are my favorite tinted options:

Supergoop Glowscreen SPF 40

Supergoop Glowscreen is a clean chemical sunscreen with SPF 40. Even though it’s a chemical sunscreen, it has a low rating on the EWG scale and doesn’t include any dangerous or toxic ingredients. It’s made with hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, and sea lavender, which help to hydrate, even out, and soothe the skin while providing a natural glow. To use, apply a small amount to the face and neck as the last step in your skincare routine. It can be worn alone or layered under makeup.

What I like about this sunscreen is that it not only provides sun protection, but also leaves such a radiant and glowy finish without making me look greasy. Its subtle tint makes a great swap for foundation on lighter makeup days! I always wear this when golfing.

ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

The Super Serum Skin Tint is a personal favorite of mine. It feels like a tinted moisturizer but has SPF 40, and it’s super lightweight and hydrating. It’s clean and non-toxic, and the active ingredients double as skincare. Hyaluronic acid, squalane, and niacinamide nourish your skin and improve its texture. It has a fresh, radiant finish and my skin looks gorgeous with this.

The downside is that it has a weird smell when you first apply it. It does fade after a minute or two, but just be aware! To me, it’s worth it because of how natural and glowy it looks. Apply it like a foundation for subtle coverage and follow with your regular makeup routine. This is my go-to for a no makeup-makeup look. It has slightly more coverage than the Supergoop Glow Screen.

Best non-toxic sunscreen for kids

Florida Squeezed SPF 50 Sunscreen Non-Aerosol Spray

This top pick for spray sunscreen also made the cut for kid-friendly SPF. It applies clear for a no-mess application with squirmy toddlers, and smells like fresh oranges. (The citrusy scent is a great way to get your kid excited about sunscreen!) I love that this product prevents white casts from forming, so it’s super convenient to use for both me and my 2.5 year old.

Thinkbaby Clear Zinc Sunscreen SPF 30

This clear non-nano zinc formula is pediatric dermatologist recommended and extra gentle for babies. It has aloe and vitamin E for cooling and conditioning without any toxic or harmful ingredients. It doesn’t leave a greasy feeling or a white cast, and is another go-to for when I need to put sunscreen on Thomas since he won’t hold still long enough for me to rub in lotions that are very white.

Thinksport Kids SPF 50 All Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Spray

Thinksport Kids SPF 50 All Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Spray was one of my top picks for a non-aerosol spray SPF, but it’s also one of my top picks for kid’s sunscreen. It’s SO easy to apply, contains only great ingredients, and doesn’t leave a white cast.

Pipette Mineral Sunscreen – SPF 50

Pipette Mineral Sunscreen was recommended by a few of my friends on Instagram. Like the others in the post, Pipette Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 is a super clean, mineral-based sunscreen that uses non-nano zinc as the main active ingredient. It does not contain harmful chemicals like oxybenzone, octinoxate, and synthetic fragrances, so it’s great for all skin types, including sensitive skin. This one gets bonus points because it also contains plant-derived squalane and glycerin, which help hydrate and nourish the skin while providing sun protection.

Hot tip for toddler moms: you can also take any lotion sunscreen and put it in this sunscreen applicator tool from Amazon for easy applying. My son even likes applying it to himself!

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