My Favorite Clean/Non-Toxic SPF Products
Over here in Texas the weather is heating up and it FINALLY feels like summer is right around the corner! I don’t do well in cold weather (even the Houston version of “cold” weather) and I get so excited when it starts being warm and sunny every day. Even though we all know we should be wearing SPF every day, regardless of the weather, summer tends to be when we spend the most time outdoors and sunscreen changes from something you should do to something you have to do. Because I live in a sunny state, I have had plenty of time to experiment with different clean, non-toxic sunscreens and some are definitely better than others. I have tried some that were so difficult to use, or so terrible looking once on, I was willing to risk the inevitable sunburn instead of struggle through any kind of application. I guess it is true what they say- the best sunscreen is one you will actually use! Lucky for you, I am giving you my tried-and-true products (links in product titles) from my favorite brands so you can skip that experimenting step all together! (I also threw in a bug spray and aloe vera gel at the end just because I love y’all ♡)
The Seaweed Bath Co.
I love this brand’s sun products. They have many more than what I have included here, but these are the ones I use the most consistently. They always include bladderwrack seaweed in their products and that means over 60 vitamins and minerals in each product! They make sure to use non-nano particles, are leaping bunny certified, vegan, cruelty/gluten/paraben free. Bonus: You can get them in most grocery stores! ** Some people are adamant about only using mineral sunscreens- if that is you, that is totally fine- but this brand is not for you. This sunscreen is cleaner than most, and I accept that there are some chemicals in it that make it so clear on my skin. At the end of the day, it is 100% your call! **
· Cooling Mist SPF 60 Sport+ with Peppermint + Aloe Spray ($21.99): This is a chemical sunscreen, but they DO NOT use octinoxate or oxybenzone. Because it is chemical, it sprays white, but it rubs in completely clear. I really like it because it smells fantastic (but not fake) and doesn’t leave me with a white cast. It truly protects me from getting sunburns (especially when I keep up with the application!) and that is no small feat. I don’t notice a “cooling” effect when I use it, but I also didn’t buy it for that reason so I don’t mind.
· Clear Guard SPF 40 Sport with Aloe + Avocado Oil Spray ($18.99): This one is also chemical based (and rubs in clear!) and is free from octinoxate and oxybenzone. I never get any skin reactions from these sunscreens and feel super safe using them. This one has a lower SPF and slightly different ingredients, giving it a slightly more earthy smell than the peppermint one. Don’t worry- it still smells great, just different. Both sprays are water resistant for 80 minutes, I usually reapply every hour because I am pale and burn super easy, but I do believe they would keep working for that extra 20 minutes.
· Active Defense SPF 50 Sport with Aloe + Watermelon Lotion ($18.99): I am one of those people that use both lotion and spray sunscreen. I like putting lotion on everywhere as a “base” before I put my swimsuit on because it is so much easier and keeps my swimsuits cleaner, and then throughout the day I will use spray as I reapply. I also keep this lotion in my bag after that base coat as a touch-up for any areas I missed that start turning pink before it is time to spray. This lotion smells AMAZING- I always get compliments on it, and luckily the bugs don’t seem to care that I smell fantastic, because that would be a big problem. This has the same water-resistance time and does not include the two chemicals mentioned above.
Cocokind
As y’all already know, I am a BIG Cocokind fan. I love their quality, commitment to non-toxic products, affordability and accessibility. I cannot get enough of their skincare and these products are no different!
· Silk SPF (mineral + chemical) SPF 30 ($25): This is one of two go-to SPF products I use EVERY DAY. Sun, rain, clouds, hurricane- still using this one. The three main ingredients are zinc oxide, homosalate and banana blossom. It starts out very white, rubs in easily, becomes clear and is very hydrating. I do like to use a primer underneath as extra assurance everything will stay on my face all day, and if I do that, I have no issues putting my other layers of makeup on top- and it does not make my makeup slide around later in the day. It also smells decent, and any smell it does have goes away instantly.
· Daily SPF (mineral) SPF 32 ($25): This is also meant to be a daily SPF underneath makeup. It uses zinc oxide exclusively as the sun-blocker, but also includes blue phytoplankton spirulina maxima extract and microalga phaeodactylum tricornutum extract to give your skin an extra kick of pollution protection. I find this one also starts out white, rubs in clear, and sits under makeup well (given that I use primer first).
· Tinted Lip Shield SPF 24 ($16): This lip gloss has a sheer, subtle, universally flattering color and contains zinc oxide, homosalate and start fruit extract. The first two ingredients are a hybrid (chemical + mineral) sunscreen combo to protect those fragile, over-looked lips, and the last ingredient gives a splash of vitamin C to help protect against some of that pollution in the air.
Babo Botanicals
This was the first clean, non-toxic sun-care brand I tried that I actually liked, and was the brand that gave me hope there was sunscreen products out there I would want to use. This brand is all mineral- based sun protection, using pure zinc oxide or a combination of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to get you the coverage you need. They are Certified B Corp, leaping bunny/cruelty free, vegan, fragrance/paraben/phthalate/gluten/silicone free, made in the USA and usually at your local grocery store!
· Sheer Zinc 30spf/Mineral 50spf Sunscreen (for extra sensitive skin) Lotion ($17.50/$18.50): This lotion is easy to rub in, and while not as clear as the clean, chemical-based sunscreens I mentioned above, it still does a pretty good job of leaving a very minimal white cast. I think that is why this brand caught my attention first, because of all the mineral sunscreens I tried, this brand was BY FAR the easiest to use, and most cooperative with my desire not to look even more pale than I already was. With 80 minutes of water resistance and extra ingredients like sunflower oil, calendula, aloe vera, and chamomile, what is not to love?!
· Sheer Zinc 30spf/ Mineral 50spf Sunscreen (for extra sensitive skin) Spray ($20.50/$23.50): This spray is pretty similar to the lotion mentioned above. It sprays on white, rubs in easily, and while will not be 100% clear, it does a pretty great job of blending in. Even though it won’t be as clear as clean, chemical-based sunscreens, I have no problem using it and don’t feel self-conscious afterwards. It has the same bonus skin-loving ingredients as the lotion above, and the same water-resistant promise as well. Just be careful not to get it on your clothes when spraying, it might end up leaving some temporary white marks until you wash them again!
· Clear Zinc Sport Stick Sunscreen SPF 30 ($13.50): I love this sports stick because it is small, effective, and lasts a long time (both the actual stick and the 80 minutes it promises to be water-resistant!) I love being able to throw it in my bag for face touch-ups, as well as those hard-to-get spots like ears. It is easy to rub in, and one you have, it is impressively clear for a zinc-based sunscreen. It also has beeswax, shea butter, rice bran oil and jojoba oil to keep that sensitive skin on your face hydrated as well as protected.
Suntegrity
This brand is fantastic. I have been using them for years, and every product they make is top-notch. While they can be on the more expensive side, their products do work very well and I don’t mind paying a little more if I know I am getting my money’s worth. They really do stand-out in the sea of clean, non-toxic beauty and I am so happy I found them!
· Impeccable Skin Sunscreen Foundation SPF 30 (colors Buff and Sand) ($55): Here is the (AMAZON) link. I have mentioned this sunscreen/foundation/tinted moisturizer on another post (or two?) and that is because it really is an ESSENTIAL product for me. It goes on easy, looks natural, makes my skin look and feel fantastic, plus gives SPF protection. They use hyaluronic acid, red algae, aloe vera, sunflower, pomegranate, cucumber and green tea extracts to give your skin all the love and protection it could ever want. Use it on its own for light coverage, or underneath a heavier foundation for SPF- I’ve done both and it works great either way.
· Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen & Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($45): Here is the (AMAZON) link. This sunscreen works great under makeup; I usually use a separate primer first because I feel like it gives better “hold” to all the layers of makeup but you could probably use it without and be just fine too. It goes on white, rubs in clear, and completely disappears underneath your other makeup. It gives me all the protection I need, with all the skin loving extras mentioned above, and doesn’t mess up the several layers of make-up that go on after. I mean what else do I really need?
· Mineral Sport Sun Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($26): Here is the (AMAZON) link. This comes in a tube made with 50% PCR plastic, uses non-nano zinc oxide, and has organic coconut oil, shea butter and cocoa seed butter to really hydrate that sun-kissed skin. I love this stick for touch ups on my body throughout the day (when I am not wanting to mess with lotion sunscreens) and the smell is pretty great too. It doesn’t leave any greasy residue and protects really well.
Sky Organics Organic Bug Spray ($17): This bug spray is awesome. Even when we are outside in the summer at sunset (Texas mosquitos are no joke) this spray protects me. It smells great, is not sticky once dry, and actually keeps the bugs away. There is no deet or alcohol, parabens, phthalates, silicones, sulfates, mineral oil, petrolatum or dyes. Instead, it uses a combination of organic soybean, castor, citronella, lemongrass, rosemary, cedarwood and peppermint oils to keep the bug bites away. Naturally, with all those yummy essential oils in there, you can imagine the smell is pretty nice compared to most chemical-laden bug sprays.
Badger Aloe Vera Gel ($8): It is actually shockingly difficult to find aloe vera gel in a bottle that does not have alcohol or dyes or perfumes in it. There is always the option to just buy an aloe vera plant (or the pieces at the grocery store) and use it straight from the source- but that’s not the most travel-friendly option. I like to have some ready-to-go aloe vera on hand for those summer trips, just in case I dozed off too long or missed a spot. I like this aloe vera because it is straight forward, comes in a 50% recycled plastic bottle, does not burn when you put it on (because there is no alcohol or fragrance), has a good consistency, and dries well. The company is certified organic, fair trade, cruelty free/leaping bunny certified, gluten free and a certified B corp. When your skin is already burned, you have to be extra kind to it!