The 5 Best Non Toxic Sun Screens (that are also reef safe)
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Most sun screens have a ton of chemicals in them, which can not only be harmful to your body, but are also the cause of a lot of the coral bleaching happening around the world. Kinda crazy to think about, especially since you usually use sun screen to protect, not damage your body. I mean, shouldn’t all sun screens be non toxic sun screens?
I, myself, have always had to be very careful of what I put on my body and, in particular, on my face. The experience of breaking out after a day of slathering sun screen on myself is all too familiar. But now that I know more about what’s actually in most sun screens, it makes total sense why my body was rejecting them all those years. Back then, I thought it was because I had sensitive skin and that I was the problem. Little did I know that the seemingly “safe” sun screen had a lot of ingredients in it that, let’s just say, shouldn’t be absorbed into your body’s biggest organ: your skin.
If you wanna dive deeper into the effects that sun screen can have on your body and on the ocean, just google “sunscreen coral bleaching”, and you’ll see what I’m talking about. I’m not gonna get into the details here because I’ll head down a research-filled rabbit hole that’ll make this blog post wayyyy longer than you’d like it to be.
Instead, I’m gonna equip you with a vetted (and Mama Eco tested!) list of non toxic sun screens that won’t make you break out. And! They won’t kill off one of the most important parts of the ocean’s ecosystem: our beautiful coral reefs.
Mama Eco Approved: Non Toxic Sun Screens
(that are reef safe too!)
Meow Meow Tweet Everyday Sun Screen
SPF: 25
This bad boy is great if you’re in the market for a daily sun screen for your face. It’s super light, so it doesn’t leave you feeling greasy. And it rubs in easily just like your usual daily moisturizer. It also smells sooooo much better than any other sun screen I’ve ever tried, and doesn’t leave you with any residue at the end of the day. Added bonus: it comes in a metal bottle with a plastic pump (peace out plastic tubes! I never liked you anyway)
I recommend it for: a daily, light sun screen for your face
All Good Sun Butter
SPF: 50
This sun butter is very thick, so a little goes a long way. It rubs in well on your face. However, when using it on your body, I suggest dabbing it on and then connecting the dots to spread it around. It can leave a bit of a white tint to your skin, but that’s pretty common for most zinc sun screens. Added bonus: it comes in a metal tin instead of a plastic tube.
I recommend it for: an all-purpose sunscreen that’ll give you great protection and wont leave you feeling greasy
Baby Sun Screen by Badger
SPF: 30
This baby-safe sun screen gives excellent coverage, even when exposed to water. It’s very thick so it can be a little tricky to spread. Like the All Good Sun Butter, I recommend dabbing it on with your finger and connecting the dots to spread it evenly. It’s a great all-day sun screen that’s safe for both body and face. The only negative is that it can leave you feeling a bit greasy.
I recommend it for: babies and kids who need lots of coverage for those long days in the sun with plenty of swimming.
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All Good Sport Sun Screen
SPF: 30
As you’ll see, most zinc-based can be pretty damn thick. But this non toxic sun screen is as smooth and as spreadable as can be. It rubs in exceptionally well, and leaves no greasiness whatsoever.
I recommend it for: long days in the sun with lots of water action. Especially great for protecting hot-spots on your face/body that tend to get sunburnt easily.
**of all the non toxic sun screens, this is my personal favorite since I found it worked best for both my face and body, giving me an all-in-one solution**
Badger Sport Sun Screen
SPF: 35
This zinc-based sun screen gives excellent coverage, even when exposed to water. It’s very thick so it can be a little tricky to spread. But it’s great all-day sun screen for both your body and face. The only negative is: it can leave you feeling a bit greasy.
I recommend it for: Protecting hot-spots on your face/body that tend to get sunburnt easily.
Conclusion
Most mainstream sun screens have toxic ingredients in them that are harmful for both the planet and your body. But there are a ton of non toxic sun screens out there that are just as effective as any mainstream sun screen without the crap in them. My favorite is the All Good Sport Sun Screen, which spreads easily, doesn’t leave a greasy residue on your skin, and is safe for both your body and face. So if you have sensitive skin that’s prone to breaking out, its gonna be your new go-to sun screen.
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