Choosing clean skincare is one way to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Using a clean sunscreen is a great place to start, since we use it daily, our skin is highly absorbent, and it washes off into the ocean eventually. So, it’s important to pick a sunscreen that really is clean for you and the planet. Sunscreens help protect us from skin cancer, so it’s important to make sure that what you’re using is both effective and wearable. Every choice we make has an impact on the planet, so it’s wise to make conscious tradeoffs that make sense for you. In this blog post, I share my holistic approach to sun safety, and the clean sunscreen products I’ve tested and passed. Let’s dive in.
What “Reef-Safe” Sunscreen Really Means
In searching for a clean sunscreen, it’s important to avoid “greenwashing,” a tactic some companies use that applies non-regulated labels like “clean” to their products to make them appear better than they are. You’ve probably heard of reef-safe sunscreen, but what does that mean? The “reef-safe” label usually means that the sunscreen is oxybenzone- and paraben-free, but there is growing evidence that octinoxate, octocrylene, homosalate, octisalate, and avobenzone are not safe for the planet or people, either. I’ve seen “reef-safe” sunscreens that contain these chemicals, so be sure to check the ingredients before you buy. My sunscreen “winners” do not have these ingredients.
My 5 Rules for Clean Sunscreen
The sunscreens with the harshest chemicals are traditionally “best” at blocking the sun’s rays, but that comes with a personal and environmental cost. So as part of my clean skincare routine, I’ve opted for clean sunscreen products with minerals as physical blockers to the sun’s rays instead of chemical blockers. I’ve tested many to find the best ones that withstand water sports, sweating, and daily life. I typically have two groups of sunscreens I use for specific areas of my life: Waterproof, for sports and outdoor activities, and Daily for everyday use, suitable to wear to work, to a wedding, under makeup, etc. I’ve tested dozens of sunscreens in search of the best, and these are the rules I use to assess them.
My Rules for Clean Sunscreen
Any sunscreen I wear must be:
- Non-nano, non-coated zinc oxide
- Remaining ingredients are “clean”
- Waterproof
- Something I’ll actually wear
- Effective
Clean & Green Mineral Sunscreens
How I Assess Clean Sunscreen Ingredients
Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a great resource to check product ingredients that I use all the time! It has helped me find many of the sunscreens which made it onto this list. With the available research on efficacy and safety, I only use sunscreen that is mineral-based: non-nano, non-coated zinc oxide. To me, there’s enough evidence (or lack thereof) to avoid certain ingredients in products I use daily. So, I avoid parabens, phthalates, and other suspected endocrine-disrupters. EWG rates each ingredient in a product by concerns related to allergy, cancer, developmental, and use restrictions. They also state when the data available is limited, so you know when there are gaps.
What it Means for Sunscreen to be Effective
Sunscreen meant for activities where I’m swimming or sweating MUST be waterproof, otherwise it’s effectively useless. This requirement is so important that I verify it with my own use testing (rule #5). But, if it’s not something I’ll wear (because it’s greasy, smells bad, is hard to apply, etc.), then it’s also effectively useless, because I just won’t wear it! I have very sensitive skin, so if it irritates me, it fails rule #4. Similarly, sunscreens that are difficult to apply lose points with me.
Quick tip: moisturize your skin before applying mineral sunscreen for easier absorption!
Lastly, for me to consider a sunscreen “effective” it has to keep me from getting burned or tanned. I look beyond the “SPF 30 UVA/UVB” label. I start by using EWG’s sunscreen effectiveness rating, or Consumer Reports (but they rate fewer mineral sunscreens, currently). Then, I test the sunscreen myself. The Waterproof ones are easier to assess because I wear them for longer periods of time, under more intense sun conditions where the risk of burning is higher. The Daily sunscreens are more difficult to test, so I rely on the previous ratings, and using other sun protection measures to balance out my risk of sun exposure.
Clean Sunscreen Testing Results
The TL/DR is that All Good Mineral Sport Sunscreen is hands down the best Waterproof, reef-safe, clean sunscreen I’ve ever worn that fits the requirements above. For the Daily category, I have 3 favorites: Supergoop! Mineral Sheer Screen or AO 6000x Elemental Screen, for daily use with no tint, no makeup, and Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint, which is the closest thing to foundation that I ever wear. In a pinch, I also wear the All Good Mineral Sport on my face for everyday wear–it’s really not greasy at all and goes on so smoothly. I did try All Good’s “Face” sunscreen, but didn’t like it as much as the Sport formulation.
My Favorite Clean Sunscreens
waterproof and reef-safe sunscreen
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- All Good Mineral Sport Sunscreen: my fave reef-safe, clean sunscreen for face, body, water sports, and daily use. This spreads well, absorbs nicely, stays on, and actually protects you from the sun! 10/10. This comes in a large size which is good if you have several people needing to use it, or a smaller size perfect for a backpack, beach bag, purse, or car.
Quick tip: keep small bottles of sunscreen in your car, purse, backpack, etc. so you always have some on the go!
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- All Good Sunscreen Butter: higher SPF 50 and spreads well for face! This will turn your face a bit white, so unlike the Sport formulation, which can be worn daily, I’d recommend using the Butter only for water sports. However, I just bought their Tinted Sunscreen Butter and will report back after I’ve tried that on my face. UPDATE: The Tinted Sunscreen Butter is a bit too tan for my skin tone. I have very fair skin, so the tinted version might be a good option for someone with tan or olive skin tone. Linking both here!
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Wear All Day Clean Sunscreens
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- Supergoop! Mineral Sheer Screen: this goes on smoothly, has a light feel, and wears well by itself or under makeup. It’s a bit pricey for the size, but for a makeup-free natural finish, it’s a great option.
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- AO 6000x Elemental Screen: High-end skincare and sunscreen all in one? Sign me up! I found this on EWG’s list, and loved it! It contains New Zealand red algae, claimed to be 6000x stronger than Vitamin C. My skin is sensitive to Vitamin C, so it’s a great swap, and makes for a one-step, no makeup morning skincare routine.
- Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint: Another great 2-in-1 Skincare+Sunscreen option! This is my favorite tinted moisturizer, and it’s packed with squalane, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. It makes my skin look dewy and hydrated, and my skin feels so soft after wearing it. It comes in a ton of shades and half-shades so you can find your best match.This is great for a minimal makeup look on days where you want some coverage. I don’t ever wear foundation; this is what I wear if I’m doing “makeup” for the day.
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Honorable Mention Mineral Sunscreens
Solara Suncare is one of the newer brands I’ve tried lately. I haven’t worn them in all the same situations yet that I’ve worn All Good, but they make honorable mention because of their availability (Target!), and of course they meet the top 3 rules. I didn’t feel that Clean Freak and Time Traveler were *quite* as waterproof as All Good Sport, which makes sense: they’re advertised Water Resistant for 40min instead of All Good’s 80min. These are still great options, so try them out if you’re interested and drop a comment to let me know! Since making this post, they’ve also come out with some exciting sunscreen-as-skincare options that I can’t wait to try.
waterproof and reef-safe sunscreen
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- Solara Suncare Clean Freak: This is slightly harder to spread than the All Good Sport for a Waterproof formula to use on the body.Be sure to shake or knead it before use as well. I would use this as a Daily sunscreen for the body, since its waterproof rating is 40min. This is a great option to slather on before heading out on a walk or to the Farmer’s Market, somewhere you won’t be sweating or swimming but you will be a little active.
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Wear All Day Clean Sunscreen
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- Solara Suncare Time Traveler: I found this to be a little heavier feeling than the Supergoop! or AO, or even the All Good Sport for Daily facial use, but it’s a great option for daily facial wear nonetheless. It might be a better option for winter.
- Solara Suncare Fortune Teller Brightening Sunscreen Serum: This is a new one I can’t wait to try! It features a brightening complex of Vitamin C and adaptogens to illuminate your skin as you wear it.
- Guardian Angel Super Peptide Sunscreen Milk: This formula is packed with ingredients to prevent and reverse environmental damage. I love when sunscreen doubles as skincare, so I can’t wait to try this formula!
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How to Choose Clean Sunscreen Sprays, Sticks, & Balms
However, I do recommend sunscreen sticks in some situations. A sunscreen stick can be handy because of its small size and no-mess portability. They’re good for a quick touch up on the go–think skiing or trail running–but it’s hard to ensure you completely cover larger areas. Toss the Sunscreen Butter Stick in your pocket or backpack for quick touchups, but don’t rely on it alone.
Protekt lip balm, updated July 2023
I finally have a lip balm to add to the list! This one comes from Protekt, and it wears well, with clean ingredients! After applying, I recommend using your finger to gently massage it in, and this helps avoid any white cast.
Beyond Mineral Sunscreen: Throw Some Shade
To further protect yourself and minimize your impact, it’s important to not rely on clean sunscreen alone. Making your own shade will help minimize your sun exposure as well as your skincare usage. What’s the best way to keep your sun safety habits? Make it as easy as possible. Living in SoCal, I’ve embraced the Endless Summer, and that means I always grab a hat, sunglasses, and retouch sunscreen on at least my hands before going outside.
Quick tip: Keep your hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen by the door to grab on your way out. Invest in a hat (or two!) that you love. Make it easy to stay sun safe!
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- Apply SPF 30+ daily to face, neck, hands
- SPF on the hands must be waterproof
- Apply waterproof SPF 30+ before exercising outside or going in the water
- When spending time outside, consider the following:
- SPF as discussed above
- Limit the time you’re outside
- Make your own shade
- UPF clothing, or really any coverup
- Umbrella or beach tent
- Wear a hat
- Wear large sunglasses
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Final Thoughts on How to Choose a Clean Sunscreen
Reef-safe, clean sunscreen can be a vital part of your clean skincare routine. To avoid greenwashing, don’t rely on marketing alone; always verify that ingredients are clean and reef-safe using a trusted source such as EWG. Be wary of promoted products, which are incentivized, can change with trends and promotions, and haven’t necessarily been tested for very long or with any criteria. Lastly, reef-safe, clean sunscreen is only a part of your sustainable lifestyle, and should be used with other sun protection methods such as minimizing sun exposure and wearing a large hat and sunglasses. This holistic approach will help you balance the risk of skin cancer with the risk that harsh chemicals pose to people and planet.
