Updated June 2026
Growing up, I used to slather on body and tanning oil and lie in the sun trying to get as tan as possible. In high school, I even worked at a tanning salon (mainly because it gave me time to do homework). But after a required safety course, I was so horrified by what I learned that I started cutting back—despite the free tans. When I told my manager I didn’t want to tan more often, I actually got fired. True story.
That said, I haven’t been perfect. I still love a tan and have definitely been lazy with sunscreen at times, but I’ve also discovered that I really like self-tanning! I found a great tanning foam for my body and bronzing drops for my face, and that helps scratch the tan itch too.
And considering I’m 41, age shows more on my skin these days – spots, fine lines, and 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.)
I look for sunscreens that absorb easily, skip the white cast, and don’t leave me feeling greasy under makeup. SPF 30 is my go-to since I’m outside constantly chasing the boys around, but if you’re mostly indoors, SPF 15 gets the job done. I also stick to mineral formulas. A lot of chemical sunscreens contain potentially harmful synthetic ingredients that are worth avoiding, and the mineral options have gotten so much better over the years.
If you’re reading this in the winter, I also rounded up my favorite non-toxic lotions for dry skin. And if you need a swimsuit to go with your sunscreen, I have a roundup of mom-approved swimsuits too.
Click any product name in the table to jump to my full review.
| Sunscreen | Type | SPF | Finish | Best For | Clean / Mineral |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OneSkin OS-01 Face | Face | SPF 30+ | Not greasy, blends in completely | TeriLyn’s #1 face pick | Yes, mineral |
| Barefaced Mineral | Face | SPF 50 | Lightweight, goes on clear | Most skin types | Yes, mineral |
| Colorescience Brush-On SPF 50 | Face / touch-up | SPF 50 | Powder | On-the-go reapplication, kids’ scalps | Yes, mineral |
| Crunchi Sunlight Tinted SPF 30 | Tinted face | SPF 30 | Natural, light coverage | Light coverage + SPF | Yes |
| Florida Squeezed Spray SPF 50 | Spray / body | SPF 50 | Clear, goes on clear over the day | Hands-free, golf / beach | Chemical (paraben & phthalate-free) |
| EltaMD UV Active Full Body | Body | SPF 50+ | Fragrance-free, won’t clog pores | Big areas, active days | Yes, mineral |
| Badger Sport Mineral SPF 40 | Body / sport | SPF 40 | Hydrating, can feel heavy on face | Sweat / water resistance | Yes, mineral |
| Thinkbaby SPF 50+ | Kids / baby | SPF 50+ | Water-resistant up to 80 minutes | Babies, kids & pregnancy | Yes, mineral |
| Primally Pure Sun Cream SPF 30 | Body / sensitive | SPF 30 | Creamy, hydrating, goes on clear | Pregnancy / sensitive skin | Yes, mineral |
| OneSkin OS-01 Lip SPF | Lip | SPF 15+ | Flavorless, scentless, slight cast on lips | Lip health + UV protection | Yes, mineral |
The short answer: look for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredients and skip oxybenzone, octinoxate, synthetic fragrance, and parabens. I break down exactly what those terms mean and how to check any product below. For SPF, I use 30 daily and bump to 50 for the beach or a full day outside, and both are well-represented in this list. If you want to jump straight to a specific use case, the table above links directly to each section.
Most mineral sunscreens and some chemical sunscreens are non-toxic, but it can be hard to know without doing a lot of research. I researched for you and am sharing the ones I like best for my face, body, daily wear, and for days when 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, so I almost always look for chemical-free sunscreens just to be safe, since I always want to use the least harmful sunscreen.
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. 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.

My #1 favorite non-toxic face sunscreen is the OS-01 FACE SPF 30+ by OneSkin. It meets all of my high standards: clean ingredients, not greasy and no white cast. The consistency is good, and it feels great on my skin all day. It’s made with 100% Non-Nano Mineral Broad Spectrum UV filters and potent antioxidants. All of OneSkin products use a proprietary peptide to decrease signs of aging, but it definitely comes with a price tag. This is the best safe sunblock for your face that I’ve tried, so if it’s in your budget, you’ll love it. Use code TERILYN15 for 15% off.
The Barefaced SPF is similar to OS-01 but a much cheaper price point than OneSkin since it doesn’t contain peptides. It’s made with non-nano zinc oxide for broad-spectrum protection, plus a blend of niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and squalane to hydrate, soothe, and support your skin barrier throughout the day.
The formula feels more like a lightweight moisturizer than a typical sunscreen. There’s no chalky finish and no greasy residue. It absorbs quickly and layers beautifully under makeup or on its own, which is a big deal for a non-tinted zinc-based sunscreen.
It’s also fragrance-free and designed for sensitive skin, so if you’ve struggled to find a clean SPF that doesn’t clog your pores or cause irritation, this Barefaced sunscreen is it. Barefaced sells a great tinted SPF as well (which I reviewed in detail in my tinted moisturizers blog post).
I haven’t tried this one yet, but it’s been on my list. Eclipse Sheer Mineral Sunscreen is SPF 30, mineral, and only $16 — and I keep seeing it come up in clean beauty circles. If you’ve tried it, I’d love to know what you think.
One of my favorite ways to reapply sunscreen throughout the day is with the Colorescience Brush-On Shield SPF 50. It’s a 100% mineral powder (zinc oxide + titanium dioxide) that’s completely non-toxic—no parabens, fragrance, chemical filters, or other sketchy ingredients. I love that it’s easy to apply over makeup, especially when I’m out running errands or at the park with the kids. (I keep it in my purse!) I even use it on my toddlers head since he has less hair, making it hard to apply sunscreen but still gets burned easily on his scalp.
It also offers protection beyond just UV, shielding against blue light and pollution. And if reapplying always feels like a production, the ease of the powder format is what really does it for me.
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 and 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.
Thinksport Kids SPF 50 All Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Spray is a mineral-based, non-aerosol sunscreen spray that is specially formulated for kids, but work well for adults too. 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 blends well. I keep this one in my running shoe basket and apply it before all my daytime runs!
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. This was also a top pick when I polled my Instagram friends on their favorite sunscreens!
Badger Sport Sunscreen Cream SPF 40 is a mineral-based sunscreen made with organic sunflower oil, beeswax, and vitamin E for extra hydration. It’s 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.
Pregnancy is when I got even more particular about ingredients. I wanted to make sure they were safe and non-toxic for me and the baby. It’s always a good idea to consult with your healthcare provider before using any new skincare products during pregnancy, but these are some great non-toxic options:
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 option for babies (which is who it’s made for!) since it’s been tested for skin irritation and allergy.
Primally Pure’s new Sun Cream SPF 30 was a must-have in my pregnancy skincare routine. When you’re pregnant, you’re suddenly hyper-aware of every ingredient, and this one passed the test. It’s made with non-nano zinc oxide for safe, effective sun protection, and the rest of the formula is full of nourishing, pregnancy-safe ingredients like grass-fed tallow, mango butter, and jojoba oil. No harsh chemicals, no synthetic fragrance, and no worrying about what’s soaking into your skin. It’s one of my favorite Primally Pure products.
The texture is creamy and hydrating without going on greasy, which makes reapplying easier. Pregnancy skin can be more sensitive and prone to dryness, and this one handles both without any issues. I keep it in my bag so I’m always covered when I’m out with the kids or getting some much-needed sunshine.
Primally Pure’s Sun Cream SPF 30 is my current favorite for sensitive skin. The ingredient list reads more like skincare than sunscreen. Grass-fed tallow, mango butter, jojoba oil, and you can feel it when you put it on. Rich but not heavy, goes on clear. My skin feels moisturized after, not stripped or sticky like it can with some mineral formulas.
I keep a tube in my pool bag because it works for everyone. The kids can use it, it doesn’t dry anyone out after a long day in the sun, and I trust the ingredients.
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:
The Sunlight® Tinted SPF 30 from Crunchi is a tinted moisturizer with SPF built in. It gives just a slight bit of coverage, it’s hydrating, and the SPF does not dry me out (rare for tinted moisturizers). I LOVE this for everyday wear, and it was my number one pick in my best tinted moisturizers review. If you want to see how their other products hold up, I have a full Crunchi makeup review too.
This tinted moisturizer was my honorable mention in my best tinted moisturizer roundup. This SPF from Barefaced gives you high SPF 50 protection, blends in like a dream, and leaves your skin with the prettiest natural glow. The coverage is super lightweight, just enough to even things out without feeling like makeup, and I love that it’s packed with skincare ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.
The OneSkin OS-01 Lip SPF has become my daily lip SPF. It’s mineral (non-nano zinc oxide), flavorless, scentless, and goes on almost like a gloss. It does leave a slight white cast on my lips, so I usually layer it over lip liner and that takes care of it. At $29 it’s not cheap, but OneSkin’s formulas are backed by research and this one pulls double duty with UV protection and cellular anti-aging in the same step.
Primally Pure’s Sun Lip Balm SPF 15 is a less expensive, simpler option. It has nine ingredients total — non-nano zinc oxide, grass-fed tallow, mango butter, beeswax, all nature-based. It moisturizes and protects your lips, though it doesn’t feel quite as luxe as OneSkin. Around $14.

This is my top pick for spray sunscreen, and also made the cut for kid-friendly SPF. It applies clear and is easy with squirmy kids because it’s a spray and it smells like fresh oranges. (The citrus scent is a good way to get your kid excited about sunscreen vs. dreading it.) I initially thought this was a fool-proof “clean” formula, but it does contain the active ingredient homosalate which flags it from being traditionally “non-toxic”. But it is the best spray I’ve found that comes close. It’s free of parabans, pthalates and is reef friendly and water resistant.
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 film, and is another go-to for when I need to put sunscreen on Thomas or Charles since they 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 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, and contains only good ingredients.
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. (You can buy Pipette on Amazon if you prefer, but I do like the new packaging on the Pipette website.)
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!


Neither term is regulated, which makes it confusing. When I say non-toxic, I mean sunscreens that skip the ingredients with real concerns behind them — oxybenzone, octinoxate, and they use mineral filters like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide instead. The EWG is a good starting point if you want to check a specific product. A low score there tells you more than a “clean” label on the packaging does.
For me, yes — and that’s why everything in this post leans mineral. The FDA has only confirmed zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as safe and effective. The chemical filters are still under review, and some of them absorb into your bloodstream after a single use. That’s enough for me to stick with mineral. That said, some chemical sunscreens score low on the EWG scale and are considered safe. Supergoop is a good example. It comes down to what ingredients you’re comfortable with.
The OneSkin OS-01 Face SPF is my top pick. It blends in completely and looks good under makeup. The Colorescience Brush-On powder is also great for reapplication since it goes on clear. If you’re dealing with white cast from a mineral formula, switching to a tinted version helps.
It depends on the formula. The Thinksport Kids Spray is mineral and one of my favorites. Florida Squeezed is a chemical spray, but it skips the most concerning ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate.
Thinkbaby SPF 50+ is my favorite for babies, and Thinksport Kids Spray is what I keep on hand for my toddler because it’s easy to apply on a kid who won’t hold still. Both are mineral, both skip the ingredients worth avoiding, and neither leaves a chalky film.
Mineral sunscreen is generally considered the safest option during pregnancy since the active ingredients sit on top of your skin rather than absorbing into it. Primally Pure’s Sun Cream SPF 30 is what I used — the ingredient list is short, everything in it is recognizable, and it’s hydrating enough for pregnancy skin. Always check with your doctor, but mineral is the direction most will point you.
Face formulas are lighter and designed to wear under makeup without looking greasy. Body formulas tend to be thicker and more water-resistant since you’re covering more surface area and more likely to be sweating or swimming. I don’t use my body sunscreen on my face — the texture is just too heavy for me.
SPF 30 is what I use daily. It blocks about 97% of UVB rays, and for everyday wear, running errands, school pickup, being outside with the kids it does the job. I go up to SPF 50 at the beach or pool, or on days where I know I’ll be in direct sun for hours. The jump from 30 to 50 isn’t massive in terms of protection, but for extended outdoor time it’s worth it.
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3 responses to “Best Non-Toxic Sunscreens: No White Cast, Face + Body”
Hi! Which sunscreen would you say is most similar to the beautycounter non-aerosol spray one they had? Looking for an easy and feels good sunscreen for my young kids and the grown ups!
I think your best bet is the Thinksport Kids SPF 50 All Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Spray. Its a non-aerosol spray!
thank you so much for this very informative, much needed, rundown of mineral sunscreens.
i am passing to my children, grandchildren and friends.