I know you’re here to find the best non-toxic sunscreen. But, I actually believe we should let our kids (and ourselves) experience small amounts of sunlight on bare skin. Vitamin D is important!
Of course, it’s not always possible to get just ten or fifteen minutes of sun each day. Fortunately there are a bunch of brands of non-toxic sunscreen that you can feel good about using. This guide will help you understand the problems with most brands of sun protection lotions, sprays, and creams–and help you pick the best non-toxic sunscreen for your family.
Let’s get into it.
Why Use Non-Toxic Sunscreen?
Conventional sunscreen is loaded with chemicals, including parabens, well-established carcinogens, and oxybenzone, an endocrine disruptor that may generate free radicals when exposed to ultraviolet light.
Some researchers even suspect oxybenzone to be the hidden cause of the increase in melanoma, although most studies have found no such link. Still, add this potential risk to the risk of vitamin D deficiencies, and standard sun safety doesn’t feel so safe!
In addition to the active ingredients, sunscreen also contains a number of inactive ingredients, some of which are concerning. The non-toxic sunscreens we call Best Stuff in this guide are free of the Bad Stuff we talk about in our other skincare Guides–synthetic fragrances, PEG chemicals, propylene glycol, alumina, etc.
Note: These days, almost all sunscreen is free of PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid), and so this once ubiquitous—and possibly carcinogenic—sunblock ingredient is no longer a concern.
Felix and me in Mexico in 2010.
What Are the Ingredients to Avoid in Sunscreen?
I encourage you to choose sunscreens that use only mineral ingredients (more on these below), but you should know that not all chemical sunscreens are equally bad. Here is a run-down of most common:
⚠️ Avobenzone. We consider this Okay Stuff. If you’re going for chemical instead if mineral sunscreen, look for one with avobenzone as the primary active ingredient.
⚠️ Octisalate and octocrylene. These are both Okay Stuff, as neither comes with a significant risk to human health. Still, all things considered, I would choose a sunscreen with avobenzone over one with either of these.
❌ Oxybenzone. This is the really bad sunscreen ingredient. It causes cellular damage and endocrine disruption. The AAP recommends avoiding sunscreen with with oxybenzone on kids. The good news: MOST conventional sunscreen is now free of oxybenzone.
❌ Homosalate. This is also very Bad Stuff. The European Commission proposes a concentration limit of 1.4 percent for homosalate. Unfortunately, U.S. sunscreens are currently allowed to have up to 15%. Avoid any sun protection product that has homosalate in it.
It’s worth noting that ALL of these ingredients are absorbed into the body after one use, and can still be detected in the blood weeks after their use, according to studies published by the FDA. Moreover, these ingredients are disastrous to the environment, putting coral reefs in danger of extinction.
What Is the Safest Non Toxic Sunscreen to Use?
Given the dangers of chemical sunscreens, the safest way to avoid sunburn is to use a natural sunscreen that contains “barrier” ingredients, such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.
Chemical sunscreen ingredients, like the ones listed above, work by absorbing UV radiation. By contrast, mineral sunscreens work by reflecting the UV radiation.
Because the application of these ingredients leaves skin with a telltale white sheen, nanoparticles are typically used in mineral sunscreens. (Nanoparticles are just teeny microscopic particles that are less than 100 nanometers in diameter.)
There has been some concern that these nanoparticles are small enough to penetrate cell membranes. Normally, our cells recognize foreign material as an invader and block it out, so it’s scary to think that nanparticles could get past that. Fortunately, more recent research suggests that DNA damage from nanoparticles is not very likely.
Instead of nanoparticles, some natural sunscreen producers use “micronized” particles — basically, these are just slightly larger than nanoparticles (so larger than 100 nanometers). Research suggests that particles must be 50 nanometers or less to penetrate a cell membrane, so micronized minerals in sunscreen should be safe.
Wolfie and me in Aruba in 2014.
Which Sunscreens Are Not Toxic? Zinc vs. Titanium Dioxide
Most mineral sunscreens contain both zinc and titanium dioxide. We have a slight preference for zinc because it is more effective at blocking UVA rays. In addition, titanium dioxide is harmful–even potentially carcinogenic–if inhaled.
For this reason, our favorite non-toxic sunscreen will have more zinc oxide than titanium dioxide, especially when in a spray formulation. But we still think brands that use titanium dioxide can be considered non-toxic sunscreen.
195 comments
Amy
Hi!
I’m trying to decide between the Babo and the Acure, both in spray. The Babo advertises “Sheer”, can the same be said for the Acure? I tried the honest company spray last year (out of desperation for something quick and easy) and it still sprayed on thick white. Thanks!
Ella
Hi, how about Mustela – bebe-enfant?
Lindsey Lutz
Hi!! Thank you so much for all the information. Your website has been a Godsend over the last 8 months with our new little one. I am about to order the new Babo spray. Do you feel the spray is fine for an 8 month old? I know in the past you have mentioned you didn’t love sprays because of the fact that we breath it in. Thank you!!
Maia
The ingredients seem fine, Tina. Some people are just turned off by Honest in general, following the laundry detergent “scandal”: https://gimmethegoodstuff.com/honest-detergent-contains-sodium-lauryl-sulfate-after-calling-it-toxic/
Tina
I love your website, and really appreciate you sharing your research and knowledge with other mommas out there that just want whats best for their little ones! :) how do u feel about the new/ reformulated honest company mineral sunscreen spf 50?
Mindy
What about Alba Botanica spray sunscreen?
Maia
Don’t know that brand, but will look into it!
Maia
Hi there-
You should definitely check with your doctor in terms of sunsreen on a baby that young, but in my opinion the very gentlest brand is this one: https://gimmethegoodstuff.com/store/sierra-sage-solar-goo-sun-protection-stick/
Erica Krohnberg
Hi what do you think of lush products?
Maia James
Yes, any of the Good Stuff would be fine on scalps.