You want to protect your skin from sun damage, but you’re a little leery of sunscreens with chemical filters. Maybe you’re allergic to an ingredient, or perhaps you’ve realized they absorb the UV radiation instead of reflecting it. Try one of the best organic and mineral sunscreens instead.
Sunscreens with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide reflect harmful rays. They defend your skin naturally. And many have extra benefits because they prevent premature aging and add hydration.
We’ve rounded up and reviewed the top mineral and organic mineral sunscreens here for you. We’ll begin with ones made for babies and children, then move on to teens and adults.
Babies have delicate skin. They’re prone to eczema and quick to burn. That’s why you need a high-quality sunscreen that keeps them safe without chemicals that cause irritation.
Best Organic & Mineral Sunscreens in 2024
Banana Boat Simply Protect Mineral-Based Sunscreen Lotion for Kids
Banana Boat’s sunscreens are easy to find in drugstores around the country. But the kid version stands out because it’s mineral-based and rated a 2 for low hazard on EWG’s database. It won’t cause tears and it sinks in fast so that it stays on in water, wind, or sand.
This formula is reef-safe in case you take the kids to the ocean. Additionally, it contains a quarter fewer chemicals than the adult lotions do. As a final note, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends this product.
Thinksport Kid’s Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+
Thinksport’s Kid’s Sunscreen repeatedly achieves a 1 for very low hazard (or safe) on the EWG database. That’s because it has no chemical filters like avobenzone, no parabens, no phthalates, and it’s free of 1,4-dioxane. It lasts up to 80 minutes in the water but doesn’t feel greasy or have a strong scent.
CeraVe Mineral Baby Sunscreen SPF 45
CeraVe’s baby sunscreen rates a 2 on the EWG database. It’s hypoallergenic and free of fragrances, parabens, and sulfates. But it contains the three essential ceramides that have become CeraVe’s trademark. The ceramides prevent moisture loss and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier against environmental damage.
Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50
Thinkbaby’s sunscreen holds two distinctions: the EWG gives it a “1” and the Whole Foods company lists it in their Premium Care lineup. Plus, Allure gave it a “Best Of” award.
Part of its attraction is that it has only non-nano zinc oxide. There are concerns that the microfine particles of zinc that some other sunscreens use can cause disruptions in the body’s function.
Also, the primary ingredients in this formula are aloe and purified water while makes it moisturizing without being oily.
COOLA Baby Mineral Sunscreen Unscented Moisturizer SPF 50
COOLA’s baby moisturizer and sunscreen blocks UV rays and prevents harm from smog, too. It won an award from Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine for its 70% organic composition and trustworthy effectiveness. It features components like non-nano zinc oxide and organic plant oils plus shea and cocoa butter.
Kiss My Face Hot Spots Sunscreen, SPF 30
Kiss My Face is known for their eco-friendly, toxin-free products. So it’s no accident that their sunscreen is free of both harsh chemicals and gluten, plus it’s cruelty-free. You can wear it on your lips and near your eyes because it’s so mild. Even the packaging comes from sustainable sources.
It protects your skin for up to 40 minutes in the water. Moreover, it moisturizes with natural ingredients like aloe, shea butter, beeswax, and plant oils.
Badger SPF 35 Sport Sunscreen Cream
Badger’s sport cream is a smart choice whether you’re swimming, skiing, or playing volleyball on the beach. It has a soft natural fragrance that resembles beeswax, but no artificial perfume. Ninety-four percent of the ingredients are certified organic so you can relax knowing your skin is safe for more than just the sun.
The main ingredient is zinc oxide so this sunscreen is both biodegradable and reef-safe. Users say it’s very thick and tends to turn their skin white for a while. It lasts up to 80 minutes when you’re sweating or in the water.
Supergoop! Skin Soothing Mineral Sunscreen with Olive Polyphenols SPF 40
If you’re worried about applying sunscreen to your skin, try this one. Supergoop’s mineral sunscreen sinks in quickly and won’t leave your skin sticky. It contains olive polyphenols that soothe irritation and reduce redness. There’s also squalane and sunflower seed oil to keep your body soft without clogging pores.
Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen – SPF 30+
Blue Lizard is an Australian company that designs their sunscreens to stand up to the outback and the oceanside. This one stays on for 40 minutes in the water. It’s based on 5% titanium dioxide and 10% zinc oxide. Unfortunately, the label lists parabens.
Neutrogena Sheer Face Sunscreen with Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Neutrogena’s Sheer face sunscreen relies on something they call Purescreen Technology that utilizes zinc oxide to reflect the sun. It also has their proprietary Dry-Touch Technology that ensures the liquid absorbs quickly and sets to a matte finish. It’s also mild enough that it won’t irritate your eyes or clog pores. There are no artificial fragrances, dyes, or perfumes in the bottle.
TIZO Ultra Zinc Body & Face Sunscreen Non-Tinted SPF 40 Broad Spectrum
TIZO’s sunscreen contains 20% zinc in various particle sizes to help it disappear without leaving a white cast. (There’s also a version available with a sheer tint.) The formula has Vitamin C and E to prevent photo-aging. Of course, it’s free of preservatives, fragrances, and dyes.
MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen
MDSolarSciences makes their sunscreen mild enough for children six months old and up. But it seemed mainly at teens and adults since it’s perfect as a primer underneath makeup. The Eco-cert zinc oxide reflects harmful UV radiation while antioxidants prevent discoloration and wrinkles. Some of the other essential ingredients include pomegranate, cranberry, and green tea. Enjoy it for up to 80 minutes in the water.
Coola Sport Sunscreen Spray Spf 50 Sunscreen, Unscented
Coola’s Sport Spray has almost no odor at all. It’s convenient to use because you don’t need to rub it in. Just spray and let it sink in for a moment. Imagine how that simplifies protecting your back when you have no one to help you apply it. Users say it doesn’t leave a white film and seems to work well.
Juice Beauty SPF 30 Sport Moisturizer
Juice Beauty’s sport sunscreen has a slight tint. This is advantageous in that it makes your skin look a little bronze from the moment you put it on. But some users have complained that it stained their swimsuit or towel. It’s also very moisturizing with aloe and organic jojoba oil.
Beauty by Earth Facial Sunscreen SPF 20 – Water Resistant Mineral Sunblock Cream for Daily Use
The face sunscreen from Beauty by Earth is best for those with dark skin tones or persons who spend little time in the sun. It offers less protection than most of the other options we reviewed today.
Highlights include the fact that it’s free of soy, gluten, GMOs, parabens, and the like. Customers report that it’s soothing and hydrating for their skin. Furthermore, it’s safe to use in the ocean and other natural waterways. It lasts up to 80 minutes in water or provides all-day protection underneath makeup.
Alba Botanica Fragrance-Free Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
Alba Botanica’s Sunscreen is an attractive solution for people with eczema and other skin sensitivities. It’s free of artificial fragrances and doesn’t have parabens or phthalates either. You can swim with it for up to 80 minutes before you need to reapply. And it’s reef-safe.
Related: Sensitive skin sunscreen buyers guide
JASON Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen
JASON’s reef-friendly sunscreen is also appropriate for most skin types. It contains 14.5% zinc oxide and 2% titanium dioxide for broad-spectrum protection. It has no gluten, synthetic fragrances, or parabens. Some of the other beneficial components include shea butter, sunflower and jojoba seed oils, and calendula.
Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen Mineral Lotion
Australian Gold’s Botanical Sunscreen can be enjoyed by everyone in the family from six months of age and up. It combines titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB radiation. Moreover, it sets to a powdery finish that feels clean, not greasy or sticky. It doesn’t even leave a white cast on your skin.
The natural citrus scent comes in part from Kakadu plum. The formula also has eucalyptus and red algae that are full of antioxidants. In addition, there are no petroleum derivatives, dyes, oils, or parabens.
Brush on Block – Mineral Sunscreen Powder
You don’t need a cream or lotion to protect your skin from the sun. This brush-on powder comes in a self-dispensing brush. It features 12% zinc oxide, 15% titanium dioxide, and mica to reflect harmful radiation and make your skin look radiant without altering its color. Other ingredients like chamomile and honeysuckle calm your skin.
Colorescience Sunforgettable Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Brush
Colorescience’s Sunforgettable Sunscreen Brush applies mineral powder to your skin. The powder stands up to sweat and water for 80 minutes. Plus, the luminous finish disguises hyperpigmentation from age spots, rosacea, or acne. While you wear it, calcified red algae and hyaluronic acid hydrate your skin and prevent premature aging.
Mineral Fusion Brush-On Sun Defense, SPF 30
Mineral Fusion’s Sun Defense also dispenses from the included brush. It’s transparent so both women and men can benefit from it. Obviously, it takes no time at all to set and won’t leave your skin oily or sticky. You can apply it over the top of your foundation. The main downside is that it’s not water-resistant.
Conclusion
We hope we helped you find a new organic or mineral sunscreen to try today. Not only are you making the outdoors safer for yourself and your family by choosing a healthier product, but you’re also helping change the world, too. The more companies see demand for sunscreens with fewer toxins, the more they will produce them.
Related: momcurls.com/best-sunscreen-acne-prone-skin.
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