Best Non-Toxic Sunscreens: Mineral, Reef-Safe, & Clean Options
Choosing a non-toxic sunscreen for yourself and your family should be easy. After all, if the label says “all natural”, “organic”, or “mineral-based”, it should be safe…right?
Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.
Once word got out about the dangerous chemicals in sunscreen, the non-toxic sunscreen industry exploded. Which means, there are a lot more brands to choose from.
This, coupled with the price variations, can make choosing a truly non-toxic and chemical-free product confusing for even a seasoned shopper.
If you’ve experienced natural sunscreen overwhelm, you’ve come to the right place!
In this article, we’re breaking down everything you need to make the safest choice for you and your family, from how non-toxic sunscreens work to what ingredients to avoid, which tools can help you vet products, and our go-to picks for every skin type, preference, and budget.
Key Takeaways
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Mineral sunscreens made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are considered the safest sunscreen option, as they sit on top of the skin and reflect UV rays rather than absorbing them.
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The best non-toxic sunscreens are mineral-based, fragrance-free, and provide broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection.
Mineral vs. Chemical Sunscreen: What's the Difference
Non-toxic sunscreen typically refers to mineral-based formulas made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, without chemical UV filters linked to hormone disruption or environmental harm. These sunscreens are often reef-safe, gentler on sensitive skin, and aligned with a low-tox lifestyle.
Chemical Sunscreen
Chemical sunscreens use synthetic UV filters that absorb UV radiation and convert it into heat within the skin.
A few years ago it was almost impossible to find a chemical-free sunscreen that actually worked.
The reason sunscreen chemicals work so well is that they absorb UVA/UVB rays, which prevents them from penetrating the skin and causing burning.
Unfortunately, sunscreen chemicals are not without their controversial side effects, which we’ll discuss more in the next section.
Mineral Sunscreen
Mineral sunscreens use natural minerals to block UV rays before they penetrate the skin.
The two active ingredients used in mineral sunscreen are:
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Zinc oxide
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Titanium dioxide
These ingredients sit on the surface of the skin and physically reflect UVA and UVB rays.
Because they do not rely on chemical reactions within the skin, mineral sunscreens are often better tolerated by sensitive skin and children.
At Branch Basics, we choose mineral sunscreen because it aligns with a low-toxin lifestyle. Mineral formulas are often fragrance-free, reef-safe, and effective immediately upon application. For families, kids, and anyone prioritizing clean ingredients, mineral sunscreen offers a safer, simpler approach to sun protection.
Remember that the labels “organic”, “natural”, “made with natural ingredients”, or even “mineral-based” doesn’t necessarily mean the product is free from harmful chemicals.
So it’s important to look carefully at the ingredient list to determine the product’s purity.
What Makes a Sunscreen Non-Toxic?
- Mineral (physical) UV filters like zinc oxide
- No oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, or avobenzone
- Fragrance-free or essential-oil-free options
- Non-nano minerals (if applicable)
What Is Considered A Non-Toxic Sunscreen?
So, how do you determine if a sunscreen is truly free from harmful chemicals?
As we just covered, the first step is to look for mineral sunscreens.
The next step, is to scrutinize the label for any of the following harmful chemicals:
Ingredients to avoid in sunscreen
The most toxic sunscreens typically contain these ingredients:[1-10]
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Oxybenzone: This is the infamous endocrine-disruptor that sounded the alarm on chemical-based sunscreens. It’s been linked to a variety of hormonal health issues, including:
- Shorter pregnancies
- Increased risk of endometriosis
- And cancer.
It is especially risky for babies, children, and pregnant women. It is readily absorbed by the skin and can be detected in bodily fluids for weeks after application.
- Octinoxate: This ingredient has been shown in animal studies to disrupt hormones, including thyroid hormone and the metabolic system. It’s absorbed into the skin quickly and has been banned in many countries due to its negative effects on aquatic life.
- Homosalate: This is another potential endocrine-disruptor that also produces toxic by-products in the body.
- Octisalate: Evidence suggest this is also an endocrine-disruptor and a skin allergen.
- Octocrylene: Although there is limited evidence of endocrine-disruptive potential, this chemical is terrible for aquatic life, including coral reefs, and causes a high rate of skin allergies.
- Avobenzone: Another endocrine-disruptor that targets testosterone and produces potentially allergenic by-products.
- Phthalates: These are powerful endocrine-disruptors used extensively in plastics and fragranced products including: sunscreens, cosmetics, and personal care products.
They have been associated with:
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- Metabolic syndrome
- Cardiovascular disease
- Autoimmunity
- Chronic inflammation
- And many other conditions
The best way to avoid them in sunscreen is to avoid fragranced products. Learn more in: All About Phthalates + Why You Should Avoid Them.
- Parabens: Well-known endocrine-disrupting preservatives ending in “paraben”. These sneaky preservatives have been removed from many products, but not all, and have been associated with various developmental and hormonal issues in infants, children, and adults.
This isn’t an exhaustive list of all the potential chemical ingredients found in sunscreens, but it does cover the basics.
For more in-depth information, we highly recommend checking out the Environmental Working Group’s Free Guide to Safer Sunscreens.
Ingredients To Look For In Non-Toxic Sunscreen
An effective non-toxic sunscreen will contain the active ingredients:
- Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium Dioxide: These are the only two sun blocking ingredients classified as safer and effective by the FDA.
- If there are any other active ingredients, such as those chemicals listed above, move onto another brand.
Additional considerations:
- You want to ensure the sunscreen is formulated to offer broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays.
- If you desire a water resistant sunscreen, make sure it says so on the label (not all mineral sunscreens have the same level of water resistance).
- For babies and children, or anyone with sensitive skin, it’s best to opt for a child- or baby-specific formula. Even some natural ingredients can irritate sensitive skin.
Need a little extra help with ingredients?
EWG has a wonderful database for that. Just visit ewg.org/sunscreen and type the brand of interest into the search box. From there, you’ll receive a safety rating from 1-10 (1 being the most safe and 10 being the least safe) of each ingredient and an overall safety rating.
Ideally all ingredients are rated a 1 or 2 in products we use on our skin, but with sunscreens this is difficult and EWG ratings can be helpful to make better choices.
Their Skin Deep database is also an incredible resource for avoiding toxic skin and body care products.
Our Top 8 Picks For Healthy, Non-Toxic Sunscreen
Even with all this information under your belt, it can be hard to know which non-toxic sunscreens are the best.
And they do vary in terms of quality, how nicely they glide on, how emollient they are, which are best for kids, and whether or not they leave that signature mineral-sunscreen-white film.
To help, we’ve created a list for you of our favorites, including:
- Luminance Skincare Sunscreen
- Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen Stick
- Blissoma Light Shifting Facial Sunscreen + Moisturizer
- Earth Mama Organics Sunscreen
- Kari Gran Sunscreen
- Juice Beauty Sunscreen
- Badger Balm Natural & Organic Mineral Sunscreen
- Sun Love by Anne Marie Sunscreen
- Primally Pure Sun Cream, Stick & Balm
If this information has inspired you to look a little deeper at your clean beauty routine, we’d highly recommend checking out Our Favorite Non-Toxic Personal Care Products too.
Safer Use Of Non-Toxic Spray Sunscreens
You’ve probably heard about the environmental and health hazards of using spray-on chemical sunscreens.
However, did you know this applies to natural, mineral sunscreens too?
The problem is, when zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are inhaled they can cause respiratory issues.
This is because formulators must use nano-particle sized versions of the minerals in order to make them blend with the other ingredients.
Fortunately, numerous studies conducted on the safety of using these nano-sized minerals topically (not as a spray) show no evidence of harm.
The very important point here is that, due to respiratory concerns, if you find yourself in a position where you only have access to a spray sunscreen, use one of the safer spray sunscreens.
Make sure you:
- Spray it outside,
- Avoid breathing the aerosolized fumes,
- And do not directly spray on the face (spray the sunscreen on your hands and then apply to the face).
This makes sense as many natural minerals (such as silica, for example) when inhaled, can cause lung issues. As can most anything that exists in a very fine particulate state.
Bottom line: If you are in a situation where you are using a spray-on sunscreen, make sure that you hold your breath as you spray it on. Always opt for a lotion sunscreen when you have the opportunity!
Toss the Toxins With Branch Basics
Sunshine and warmth is essential for our physical, mental, and emotional well-being, which is why we encourage you to get out there, relax, soak up some vitamin D, and enjoy the summertime in good health! Choosing a non-toxic sunscreen made with clean, mineral-based ingredients is one of the simplest ways to protect your skin while supporting long-term health and environmental safety.
Want more tips and info on how to avoid common harmful household chemicals and create a healthier life?
Check out our Toss the Toxins Online Course, or check out our collection of human-safe, plant and mineral-based, Made Safe Certified products.
FAQs
What is the safest sunscreen to use?
Mineral sunscreens made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are generally considered the safest option because they block UV rays without relying on chemical absorption.
Are mineral sunscreens better than chemical sunscreens?
Mineral sunscreens are often preferred for sensitive skin and clean ingredient routines because they sit on top of the skin rather than being absorbed into it.
Are non-toxic sunscreens effective?
Yes. Mineral sunscreens provide effective broad-spectrum protection when applied properly and reapplied every two hours.
Article References
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Marilee Nelson
Marilee Nelson is an Environmental Toxins expert who has spent nearly 30 years advocating for the chemically-sensitive and chronically-ill. She is a Board Certified Nutritionist, Certified Bau-Biologist and Bau-Biology Inspector and specializes in Food As Medicine. She has helped thousands of families and individuals identify, heal and recover from toxic exposures and is on a mission to revolutionize the way American families view their health.
