The Best Eco-Friendly and Vegan Sunscreen
There’s nothing better than the feeling of warm sunshine on your bare skin, provided that you’ve got sunscreen on, of course. Sunscreen is essential for protecting you, and you don’t have to compromise the earth when you get ready for a day at the beach.
The chemicals used in traditional sunscreens have been found to be extremely harmful to coral reefs. Hawaii and Thailand have banned sunscreens containing some of these damaging ingredients, to help protect the coral reefs from bleaching, which can lead to their destruction and death.
The good news is that there is a wide range of eco-friendly and vegan sunscreens available so that you can make sure that your sunscreen is good for you and the planet. With so many options, however, it can be hard to choose. We’ve put together a list of the 12 best eco-friendly and vegan sunscreens, to make your decision a bit easier.
What Ingredients Should I Avoid in Sunscreen?
Firstly, what shouldn’t be in your sunscreen? When you’re looking at the ingredients list, avoid Oxybenzone and Octinoxate.
These are the two big problem ingredients and they have both been scientifically proven to damage coral reefs. When you enter the ocean wearing sunscreen containing these chemicals, they wash off your body and into the water, and that’s when the harm happens.
You should also avoid microplastics. Microplastics are often added to sunscreen to help it bind, keeping it waterproof. When they enter the water, microplastics can seriously affect fish and marine life, including delaying growth and causing abnormal behavior.
When you’re busy checking the labels for microplastics, don’t forget to stay away from plastic packaging where possible too. Reusable tins are common containers for sunscreen, and so are cardboard or recyclable tubes, so there are a lot of options out there.
The 12 Best Eco-friendly and Vegan Sunscreen
Herbal Chest
Image Credit: Herbal Chest
Herbal Chest is available on Etsy, and this vegan natural sunscreen is an excellent choice. It’s approximately SPF 20, and it’s free from any chemicals or synthetic colors and fragrances. It’s also free from coconut oil, so it’s good for sensitive skin. Handmade, Herbal Chest Matcha Green Tea Sun Butter is plastic-free and comes in a reusable tin.
Raw Elements
Image Credit: Raw Elements
For an environmentally friendly sunscreen that’s over 90% organic, look to Raw Elements. Their sunscreen is suitable for all ages and skin types, and it’s made here in the USA. It comes recommended by sports and outdoors enthusiasts for its waterproofing properties and its sweat resistance.
Zinc oxide is the main active ingredient, and you can buy it in a tin pot to reduce plastic packaging waste. We do note though, while it’s certified cruelty-free, it does contain beeswax so it’s not vegan.
Sunbutter
Image Credit: Sunbutter
If you’re looking for a vegan sunscreen with a higher SPF rating, Sunbutter offers an SPF 50 option. It’s an excellent broad-spectrum sunscreen, suitable for sensitive skin and free of harmful chemicals. It’s reef-safe and waterproof for up to 4 hours so it’s perfect for long days at the beach.
They were the first company in the world to be certified palm oil free, and they’ve also partnered with Sea Shepherd on one special product, with a percentage of profits going directly to Sea Shepherd Australia.
Dirty Hippie
Image Credit: Dirty Hippie
Dirty Hippy makes an SPF 30+ balm, free from chemicals and irritants. Raspberry seed and Zinc oxide provide sun protection, and this sunscreen has low essential oils which makes it perfect for sensitive skin. This sunscreen applies nicely to your skin and doesn’t leave you feeling sticky or greasy.
It’s handmade in Australia and is available in either a tin, or a compostable cardboard tube, and the founders are careful to use minimal packing when shipping to avoid waste.
All Good
Image Credit: All Good
All Good has created a range of sunscreen products, although their SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Butter is one of the best in our eyes. It’s made from organic ingredients and zinc oxide, and is reef friendly and waterproof, protecting you and the environment.
It rubs in smoothly, and it doesn’t clog your pores or leave your skin feeling greasy. While some of All Good’s products come packaged in plastic, the Mineral Sunscreen Butter is available in a reusable tin.
Suntegrity
Image Credit: Suntegrity
Suntegrity Face and Body SPF 30 products are chemical-free and provide safe, broad-spectrum sun protection. The founder, Tricia, lost her mother to melanoma skin cancer and made it her mission to provide an effective natural sunscreen. At present most of these products are packaged in plastic, however, Suntegrity has confirmed that they are working to change this and taking other steps to reduce their carbon footprint.
Badger
Image Credit: Badger
Badger 40 Sport sunscreen is a water-resistant, mineral sunscreen that provides SPF 40 protection. It’s certified reef friendly, free from chemicals, and is made with just 4 ingredients.
This sunscreen has a reputation for rubbing in well and includes clear zinc so it doesn’t leave a white sheen on your skin. It’s also unscented, cruelty-free, and made with solar power, ticking many different boxes. To help meet your zero waste goals, Badger sunscreen comes in a reusable tin, so you can avoid plastic packaging.
Green People
Image Credit: Green People
Green people have been making organic skincare for over 25 years now, and their sunscreen has stood the test of time. The sunscreen is vegan, and all of Green People’s products are vegetarian, with no animal testing occurring.
These natural sunscreens include ingredients such as Green Tea and Edelweiss, which are anti-oxidant rich and nourishing for your skin, alongside the active ingredient zinc oxide. The SPF 30 sunscreen comes in recyclable packaging, and a donation to the Marine Conservation Society is made with the sale of each product.
Attitude
Image Credit: Attitude
Attitude Sunscreen is made in Canada, and it’s certified cruelty-free and vegan. It’s reef safe, perfect for sensitive skin, and it’s completely plastic-free and waterless in its production. Made from minerals, this sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays, and it’s SPF 30, equalling great sun protection.
As well as being PETA certified as cruelty-free and vegan, Attitude has partnered up with two reforestation charities, planting trees for the sale of each product. If that wasn’t good enough already, it’s worth noting that the sun sticks come in cardboard tubes, eliminating any plastic packaging.
Butterbean Organics
Image Credit: Butterbean
While not in reusable packaging, Butterbean Organics has produced a certified organic, waterproof, reef-safe sunscreen that comes in a recyclable metal spray bottle or tin. It’s easy to apply, and it feels light on your skin, rubbing in easily.
It also includes certified organic ingredients such as olive, sunflower, and jojoba oils to help nourish your skin as well as protect it. To top it off, Butterbean Organics sunscreen is reef safe and free from chemicals, using zinc oxide as its active ingredient.
Cocokind
Image Credit: Cocokind
Cocokind sunscreen is made in California, with ethical labor. Their Daily SPF 32 sunscreen uses active ingredients including zinc oxide, blue phytoplankton, and microalgae, healing your skin as well as protecting it.
Cocokind is committed to complete transparency for sustainability, indicating the carbon impact of all of its products – this sunscreen comes in at 12g per use, which is helpful to consider. The packaging is almost entirely recyclable, except for the bottle cap. As well as a commitment to sustainability, most of their products are vegan, except for a few including beeswax.
Empire Squid
Image Credit: Empire Squid
Packed in a glass jar, Empire Squid’s Life Guard Sunscreen is made with red raspberry seed oil and nano zinc oxide. There are two versions available, so if you’re looking for a vegan product be sure to select the one with candelilla in place of beeswax.
This sunscreen offers approximately 25 – 50 SPF protection, and it’s made with certified organic ingredients, so it’s friendly for your skin and the environment. Empire Squid sunscreen rubs in easily, although it has been said that the sunscreen may leave a faint tint on your skin, lightening it slightly.
Final Thoughts on Eco-Friendly and Vegan Sunscreen
With options like these, it’s easy to be safe in the sun and to stay away from sunscreens that are harmful to you and the planet. Whether you’ve got sensitive skin, or you’re looking for something with fragrance and tint, there’s a sunscreen out there for you.
Natural ingredients such as zinc oxide and raspberry seed oil, which are included in many of the sunscreens listed above, protect from the sun that is just as good, if not better, than traditional chemical-based sunscreens. It’s also easy to choose vegan, cruelty-free, and low waste sunscreens now too, so you don’t have to compromise your values for the sake of your health. So what are you waiting for, get out there and enjoy the sun, safely!
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