I am excited that the sun is out and we are spending more time outdoors than in. This guide will give you all the tools to apply the best non-toxic sunscreen to your skin and safely enjoy being outside.
I love that the sun is shining from morning to evening and our whole family can move our dinners outside (easier mess to clean up) and we can all breathe in the fresh air. The immune system also benefits from being outdoors and getting additional vitamin D so it truly is my favorite time of year!
With being outside keeping my skin safe from harmful UVB rays that cause skin cancer and aging is a priority. With my kids, it is even more important that I apply a natural sunscreen that isn’t loaded with harmful ingredients.
Many people think of “natural ingredients” and they automatically assume that the sunscreen won’t do its job and that you will get burned. So instead they opt for a brand they have seen for years in the grocery store like Coppertone and buy it because they trust it.
WHAT IS CHEMICAL SUNSCREEN?
So what exactly is chemical sunscreen and why should you make the switch to a better and safer type?
Chemical sunscreen is most of the physical sunscreens you may find at the grocery store such as Coppertone Sport Sunscreen, Lancome Facial Sunscreen, and Banana Boat Baby sunscreen. These sunscreen products are loaded with toxic chemicals that are not safe for you or your babies (no matter how old they are).
They work like this: You apply the cream directly to your skin (the body’s largest organ) and then the skin absorbs the sunscreen which goes directly into your blood stream within a matter of seconds.
You are absorbing all of the chemicals in that sunscreen directly into your along with the UV rays that come from the sun. The sunscreen redirects those rays so they are not hurtful to your body. Many of the traditional sunscreen options are popular because they wash off easily and they are quick to rub in (absorb). There are some downsides when choosing this type of sunscreen.
WHY IT’S BEST TO AVOID CHEMICAL SUNSCREENS
Some ingredients are absorbed into the body that still needs testing
Because chemical sunscreens are directly absorbed into your system, the ingredients used need to be clean. There has been talk of the chemical sunscreens containing 12 typical ingredients that still need to be tested by the FDA. My favorite safe and approved ingredient are: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
The toxic ingredients found in many of these chemical sunscreens are endocrine disruptors
These ingredients are oxybenzone, homosalate, and octocrylene. Because these ingredients are absorbed into the body almost immediately after application there is a report by the environmental working group that found those chemicals stay in your body for weeks after application.
An endocrine disruptor is a fancy name for chemicals messing with our hormones. I care about this as a woman in her 30’s who isn’t done having children because my hormones are tightly connected with my reproductive systems.
They are damaging to our planet
If you have heard of the term “reef safe” sunscreen then you are already aware of this! Sunscreens with harmful chemicals that are thrown away after they are “used up” eventually find their way to our oceans and then to our marine life.
Check your current sunscreen ingredient list. The ingredients that kill our coral reefs: oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, and octocrylene.
So what is a person to do? What if I told you that there are safer options. Sunscreens out there that are CLEAN for our bodies, PROTECTIVE to our skin, and SAFE for our oceans? Read on to see MY FAVORITE safer sunscreen options.
WHAT IS MINERAL SUNSCREEN?
I’m sure you have heard the term “mineral sunscreen” in passing. What is it? Mineral sunscreen sits on the top layer of your skin and blocks the UV rays before they even have a chance to get to your skin’s surface. That makes good sense to me! It is a win because no harmful rays or ingredients are being absorbed into your body. Now that is “broad-spectrum protection” right there.
IS MINERAL SUNSCREEN AS EFFECTIVE AS CHEMICAL SUNSCREEN?
This is the big question that most people care about. Why invest in sunscreen if it won’t do its job? Good news: mineral sunscreen works because it creates an actual blocking barrier from the rays to your skin. The UVB rays (sunburn rays) and UVA rays don’t stand a chance. The only downside to mineral sunscreen is you have to re-apply it on a regular basis. Every 2 hours or so if you have been swimming in the water for over 30 minutes.
IS MINERAL SUNSCREEN REEF SAFE?
Yes. Oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, and octocrylene are nasty ingredients that will kill our world’s precious coral reefs and aquatic life. Mineral sunscreens do not have these ingredients.
THE BEST MINERAL SUNSCREENS TO BUY
Side note: My favorite natural sunscreen option is not sunscreen at all. It is protective clothing! Especially for kids, this is a great way to eliminate burns and stay away from the sun’s rays. It is simply a physical barrier that involves no toddler chasing! My favorite sun shirts are here.
ALL GOOD
All Good is the best natural sunscreen I have personally found because it goes on smoothly, there are no synthetic fragrances and it is reef safe! You can feel good about healthy sun exposure with this sunscreen. I highly recommend it.
All Good Baby & Kids Mineral Sunscreen Lotion for Face & Body – UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum, SPF 30, Zinc Oxide, Coral Reef Friendly, Water Resistant, Gluten-Free – Zinc, Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Aloe
Thinksport
Thinksport is another one of our GO TO mineral sunscreens. We love the mineral stick as well as the lotion.
Thinksport Kids SPF 50+ Mineral Sunscreen – Safe, Natural Sunblock for Children – Water Resistant Sun Cream – Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB Sun Protection – Vegan, Reef Friendly Sun Lotion
JUICE BEAUTY (FOR MOM)
I have been using this tinted moisturizer for years and love it. It has sunscreen in it as well. It is always a good idea to wear sunscreen on your face from the start of your day to the end. I love putting this on before I get ready because it won’t give me a white ghost sunscreen face over the top of my makeup!
BABO BOTANICALS
Last but certainly not least Babo botanicals is a wonderful mineral sunscreen that is both reefs safe and free of sunscreen chemicals. I love the bunny too, he is so cute!
Babo Botanicals Zinc Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 with 100% Mineral Actives, Non-Greasy, Water-Resistant, Fragrance-Free, Vegan, For Babies, Kids or Sensitive Skin, Clear. FREE Aloe Vera Gel with $50 purchase
I hope you found this guide helpful as you seek out the best natural sunscreen option for your family. Enjoy those beach days and sunshine weather with your best health interests in mind!
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