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
Maia James
Hi Laura!
These ingredients look fine, although as you mentioned, if it doesn’t specify non-nano then it probably isn’t.
Sushil Karwa
What do you think about Thinksport Kid’s Safe Sunscreen SPF 50 ? It is top rated by EWG skin deep database with a “1” rating for quite a few years in a row. Its free of biologically harmful chemicals like avobenzone, oxybenzone, paraben, phthalate, paba and UV chemical absorbers.
Would you rate this as “Good”, “Bad” or “Sneaky” stuff? Regards, SushilLaura
Hi Maia, your product guides and research are the best. I look forward to every new update I receive! I was gifted “Hampton Sun for Baby” and was wondering if it’s “good stuff” or if one of the sunscreens you list is better. The ingredients I think are fine (listed below) but I wasn’t able to find if it has nano-particles. My daughter is 6 months and I’m also concerned about sunscreen irritating her eyes and getting in her mouth since her hands, feet, etc. constantly touch her face. Hoping you have time to respond, thanks in advance!!
Active ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 6.0%, Zinc Oxide 12.0% Inactive ingredients: Beeswax, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Oleosomes, Chathamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Chamomilla Rectita (Matricaria) Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower)Jackie
Hi there! Any thoughts on the Substance Baby Natural Sun Care Creme? Thanks!! :)
Catherine
What about Kiss my face baby?
Maia James
Hey Heather-
I don’t wear much makeup, but if I wanted a daily SPF product I would go with this: https://gimmethegoodstuff.com/store/beautycounter-dew-skin-tinted-moisturizer/How horrified will you be to learn that I DON’T use a daily sunscreen? I live in the northeast and want to get all the vitamin D I can! When I’m at the beach, I use this stick all over my face: https://gimmethegoodstuff.com/store/babo-botanicals-clear-zinc-sunscreen-sport-stick-spf-30/
Heather
Maia, thank you so much for your research and making it available to help so many of us! I am wondering – what do YOU use for a daily facial sun protection?
I appreciate your feedback.
Claudette
Hello,
After reading about your suggested options for the least toxic sunscreen spray I am still unsure which might be best for my kids. They are 11 and 5 and have only ever used California baby , however after so many years of traveling to the Caribbean and having to apply every 30 min and as thick as it is I would LOVE a spray option . Rubbing the thick white lotion son their little sandy bodies is torture for them and us… what would you suggest in sprays that would need the least rubbing in and provide the best protection… we are all very fair skinned.
Thanks for your time .
Claudette
Maia James
Nothing looks alarming in this list of ingredients:).
Lauren Boettcher
Hi what about Matter Company Baby Sun Care Creme
ngredients: Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 20% Other Ingredients: helianthus annus* (sunflower seed oil), calendula officinalis* (pot marigold) flower, hypericum perforatum* (St. John’s Wort) flowers, simmondsia chinensis* (jojoba) seed oil, sesamum indicum* (sesame)seed oil, camellia oleifera* (green tea) extract, vitis vinifera* (grape) seed extract, glycerine (vegtable), butyrospermum parkii * (shea butter), tocopherol (vitamin E), xanthan gum, leuconostoc (radish root ferment filtrate), deionized water, essential oils of lavandula angustifolia (lavender), citrus aurantium dulcis (orange), pelargonium graveolens (geranium), cymbopogon martini (palmarosa) and menthe (mint). *Certified organic Says essential oils naturally repel against insects?