Natural Sunscreens
Natural sunscreens-why I made the switch from a chemical sunscreen and you should too!
Can’t you just feel it in the air…summer is so close! With summer comes lots of time spent outside, which equals lots of sun exposure. I love the sun, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve realized the importance of what a good sunscreen can do. Not only for blocking harmful rays, but also for anti-aging benefits. Hello, I don’t want to look like I’m 45 when I’m 32…can I get an Amen?! Since a lot of people don’t know the difference between chemical sunscreens and natural ones, I’m going to break it down. Check yourself into sunscreen school…
Ok, chemical sunscreens contain these big long words. They can have one or a combination of these six ingredients: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate. Instead of blocking the suns rays, like natural sunscreens do, they absorb the rays, and turn them into heat, which are then transferred from skin to the air. These chemicals are known hormone disruptors. The scary fact about these chemicals is the high absorption rate, compared to other ingredients. Hormone disruptors with high absorption rates is not something you want coupled together. Chemical sunscreens can also produce free radicals, which cause skin damage, irritation and aging. Can you say NO THANK YOU!
So what’s the alternative?? Natural sunscreens also known as physical or mineral sunscreens. These sunscreens either use titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or a combination of both. They are natural minerals that are ground up. Mineral sunscreens reflect the sun’s rays instead of absorb them, and they offer broad spectrum protection. Not only that, but they start working the moment you apply them to your skin, unlike chemical sunscreens where you have to wait 20 minutes. Who wants to wait anyways?! Plus, these aren’t going to irritate your skin compared to chemical sunscreens.
Now that you know all the deets on sunscreen, here are my top mineral based picks (the non-toxic ones).
All Good-
I’ve been using All Good sunscreens for a year and it’s my favorite non-toxic sunscreen! Everything about it, from ease of application to, great sun protection- it checks all the boxes and then some. Plus, the ingredients are clean! Often it’s easy to hit two of the boxes but not all of them. Not with All Good sunscreen! Not only is it organic, but non-gmo, gluten free, vegan and coral reef friendly. It uses the mineral zinc oxide to block the suns rays. It’s also water and sweat resistant up to 80 min. too. But the real kicker- it comes in a clean spray! Yes, you heard me right. There is a spray sunscreen that is clean. Instead of using toxic chemicals for the propellant like most spray sunscreens they use a combination of jojoba and nitrogen(something that is already in the atmosphere). The ease of use with a spray can’t be beat- it’s amazing! The sprays come in a kid’s version that has an spf of 30 and adult version with spf 30. I’ve used them both and can say they work so well. They also carry sunscreen in tubes, in butter sticks with spf 50, in tins with spf 50, in lip balm form and even in large family sizes. If you’ve been searching for a clean, effective sunscreen- this is it. It takes the cake in every area! Check out All Good sunscreen here!
Raw Elements-
This is a new line of sunscreen that I just discovered and I’m loving! They’re the cleanest sunscreen I’ve found to date. Made with only a handful of ingredients, all of which I can pronounce easily. Their sunscreens use non-nano mineral zinc oxide as the sun protectant. It’s also organic, non-gmo, Leaping Bunny Certified and Natural Products Association Certified. They are safe for all ages, water resistant and never run or sting the eyes. Most of their sunscreens offer a broad spectrum spf of 30. They’re also reef safe- I mean does it get any better when it comes to sunscreens? They even offer eco packaging! I sampled 4 of their products.
Tinted Face Moisturizer-
Love this sunscreen! If you’ve used physical sunscreen in the past then you know what I’m talking about when I say it usually leaves a white hue on your skin. Unfortunately it’s not very attractive! This is totally different. It’s tinted with a bronze/tan hue and makes your skin look like it’s glowing-no white hue! I especially loved this for my face. It was as if I had on a tinted moisturizer and didn’t even need to apply any face makeup. It comes in an eco friendly tin-I couldn’t get enough of this! Snag your Tinted Face Moisturizer here!
Eco Formula 30+ Lotion Tin-
This formula also comes in an eco tin and is great for all over body. It does leave behind a more white hue but when rubbed in well it’s not as noticeable. I love how moisturizing it felt on my skin. It’s also very water resistant-up to 80 minutes before you need to reapply. Overall, I was impressed with the performance of this sunscreen. I didn’t burn and my skin didn’t feel sticky. A great sunscreen for kids and adults! Get yours here!
Eco Stick 30+
Love that they offer the Eco Formula in a stick form! So easy to travel with and use. You can even apply the sunscreen stick under water-how cool?! You can apply it straight to your skin for more of an opaque look or rub it in after. I love the size of it for trips. I found it perfect for when you’re at the beach and you have sand on your hands but want to reapply your sunscreen. Now you can but without the mess! Get your Eco Stick here!
Lip Rescue SPF 30-
This little lip balm is perfect for protecting your lips from the sun. I love knowing that my lips are protected too. Often it’s hard to find sunscreen in lip balms and if they have it in there, it’s not mineral based. The skin on your lips is so fragile and needs an spf to protect them. This is just the ticket! Get your Lip Rescue here!
DeVita Solar Body Moisturizer-
This is the perfect all over body mineral sunscreen. It just contains zinc oxide, offering both UVA and UVB, an SPF of 30+ and is of course non-nano. It doesn’t make you look like a ghost! I love that this is fragrance free as well. It feels more like a lotion, than an oily sunscreen. They also state on their website that they’re safe for the “gluten sensitive.” It also gets two thumbs up from me for it’s large size. Sometimes on vacation I’ll need to bring a couple because the size is so small, but DeVita’s is a large 7 oz. tube! Devita Solar Protective Moisturizer SPF 30
Coola Naturals Baby SPF 50 Unscented Moisturizer –
I recently came across Coola’s Mineral Baby Sunscreen and was so excited to try it. Coola offers a lot of sunscreens but they’re not all mineral based-so make sure you check that they’re chemical free. This Mineral Baby Sunscreen is made with a combination of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for the sun protectant-both non-nan0. It also offers a broad spectrum spf of 50-so you can rest assured your babe is protected. It’s organic and water resistant as well. I loved how easy it rubbed into my skin. The tube size is perfect for travel too. It didn’t feel greasy but like a good hydrating lotion. Snag your tube here!
Adorable Baby Sunscreen (Babies/Kids)-
After having a baby I was especially picky with what I was putting on her skin. Since babie’s skin can be even more sensitive and absorbent. However, I found a winner with this one! The sunscreen feels like a thick shea butter on the skin. It just contains zinc oxide. Some studies have found titanium dioxide to be a skin irritant in some people. Again, it offers both UVA and UVB and an SPF 30+. It does say it’s water resistant (no sunscreen is “waterproof”) but I still apply often, and is non-nano. The ingredients are so short in this little tube, something I love. I literally can pronounce each one. I feel so good rubbing this on my girl’s and knowing it actually works! Adorable Baby All Natural Sunscreen
Jersey Kids Mineral Sunscreen Stick-
I had never heard of Jersey Kids until last year, but was excited to try a new mineral sunscreen. Once I looked them up I read that their sunscreen had even rated #1 by Livestrong-pretty impressive! This one has an SPF of 30 and offers both UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum Protection. They only use zinc oxide as the mineral sunscreen. It does go on white but once you rub it in it disappears. I really love the stick option too! Makes for easy travel and easy application. Overall I’m really impressed with the ingredients. It even has a subtle vanilla scent to it which I love. Jersey Kid’s Mineral Sunscreen Stick.
Sun Prep-
This product is amazing for the face. It has a broad spectrum SPF of 30. It’s perfect for in the summer or winter before makeup. It doesn’t leave your skin with a white hue at all. It feels like a nice day time moisturizer going on. What really makes it standout? It acts like a primer for my makeup! It fills in all the lines and helps my makeup literally glide on and stay put. The ingredient list is stellar-aloe vera gel being the first ingredient, say hello to hydration. I really can’t say enough about this product. It is non-nano too. Get your Sun Prep here!
W3ll People BB Cream-
This is a newer product within the last year for W3ll People. I like that it offers SPF30, some great protection, yet it doesn’t feel too heavy. Great for summer, but also if you live somewhere that’s constantly sunny and want sun protection in your foundation on the daily. I really appreciate that it is a little thicker and offers some decent coverage, more than a typical bb cream. It feels thicker and creamier- gives a dewy look. Get your BB Cream here!
Erbaviva Sunscreen SPF 30
This is a great sunscreen for adults or for kids. It has a subtle lavender scent. It goes on white as first but then fades and almost looks like you didn’t put anything on. Something I can get behind! I love that it only has a handful of ingredients and doesn’t contain any of the bad stuff. Easy to throw in a beach bag too since it works for both adults and kids! Grab your Erbaviva Sunscreen here!
Kari Gran’s Three Sixty Five SPF 28 Broad Spectrum Sunscreen-
This stuff feels like silk on the face. It is perfect before applying your makeup. It’s meant to be worn 365 days of the year. My foundation literally glides on. It really acts like a primer as well. Filling in lines and creating an even surface. I was so excited when I heard they were coming out with a sunscreen, and couldn’t be more thrilled with the results! I’m in love with the ingredients too. Non-nano zinc oxide, with non-gmo red raspberry seed oil are the sun protectants and there is only a handful of ingredients after that. I couldn’t be more excited to finally find a sunscreen with such quality ingredients and performance! Grab your Kari Gran facial sunscreen here!
Suntegrity “5 in 1” Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen-Tinted-
This BB cream is so good! It definitely hits all the marks for a great tinted sunscreen. From superb coverage, hydration and good tint. Plus, it offers a broad spectrum spf of 30. It’s made with non-nano zinc oxide. It also comes in four colors which makes it easy to find one that matches your skin tone. Trust me, you’ll love it! Grab yours here!
JUICE BEAUTY SPF 30 TINTED MINERAL MOISTURIZER –
I’ve sampled this before but not enough to really have a good idea of how it would be. My mom absolutely loves this tinted moisturizer! She likes it because she says it doesn’t show her fine lines as much. A lot of foundations she always complains the product settles in here fine lines. This gives you some sun protection too with an SPF of 30. It comes in 4 different shades. I chose the Sand. It feels really good on the skin- definitely hydrating. It offers light coverage but does give an overall polished look. A great option for spring and summer days but also for days when you’re not going anywhere and you just want some light coverage. Get your Juice Beauty Tinted Mineral Moisturizer here
Marie Veronique Everyday Coverage Tinted Sunscreen with SPF 30-
Last but certainly not least is this tinted sunscreen that I’m also loving. It is a SPF 30 full spectrum UVA+UVB, non-nano zinc oxide sunscreen. I love that it has a tint to it-no white residue! It goes on a like a day time moisturizer and isn’t heavy at all. It sinks right into my skin. The perfect base pre-foundation, or on it’s own before heading to the beach. Even my hubs likes it! It’s also rated #1 in EWG 2014/2015 Sunscreen Guide. Grab your bottle here!