With spring and warmer weather right around the corner, I wanted to round up some of the best options for “clean” facial sunscreens! Over the past year, sunscreen has become just as much a part of my morning routine as my daily coffee. But because of pregnancy and now breastfeeding, I’m SUPER picky about which sunscreen I use! It needs to both work with my skin and contain really good, safe ingredients. To be honest, it can be quite overwhelming to find a safe, non-toxic sunscreen…. especially because there’s so much information out there about “clean” skincare products and it’s a bit overwhelming. I did a TON of research on ingredients and also used both the EWG’s website and the app ThinkDirty to help me find the best sunscreen options out there. So without further ado, here are my top picks that are suitable for a bunch of different skin types!
1. Beautycounter Countersun Daily Sheer Defense For Face (SPF 25)
EWG Rating: EWG Verified
“EWG Verified” is the best rating that the EWG can give, so you can be confident that this is a safe product! The zinc oxide in this broad spectrum sunscreen provides protection, while the squalane and chicory root extract leave skin hydrated. This sunscreen is formulated to blend in to all skin types with no white cast. It’s also lightweight enough to wear daily and under makeup, too. It also has hundreds of five-star reviews, with most everyone agreeing that it’s super sheer.
2. Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen (SPF 30)
EWG Rating: EWG Verified
This sunscreen is another EWG Verified product and is a great option for dry to normal skin types. The squalane in Boissance’s formula helps to moisturize the skin and fight fine lines, while the water lily soothes and calms redness. It uses zinc oxide for UVA/ UVB protection and it is lightweight enough to wear under makeup. This one has rave reviews on Sephora’s website!
3. Eleven By Venus Unrivaled Sun Serum (SPF 35)
EWG Rating: 1
Unrivaled Sun Serum by Venus Williams is a product I kept seeing everywhere while researching clean sunscreens! It’s formulated with 25% zinc oxide for a broad-spectrum protection against UVA, UVB and blue light rays. It does not leave even the slightest white cast, so it is great for all skin tones. This sunscreen is also formulated with coconut and prickly pear to keep skin hydrated!
4. Tomato Lycopene Moisturizer (SPF 20)
ThinkDirty Rating: 0, EWG Rating: 2
I love how many familiar natural ingredients are in this broad-spectrum sunscreen! Ingredients like green tea, coconut, carrot, grape and tomato help to protect the skin against harmful UV rays and environmental pollution. It’s a very lightweight sunscreen (although reviewers do say that it leaves a slight white cast), that would be best for normal to oily skin types.
5. Suntegrity Impeccable Skin Moisturizing Face Sunscreen (SPF 30)
EWG Rating: 2, ThinkDirty Rating: 3
Suntegrity has a lot of cleaner sunscreen options on the market, but this one seems to do it all! This one is a tinted moisturizer, so no worries about white streaks with this one. Zinc Oxide provides the broad-spectrum protection we need, while vitamins and peptides reduce signs of aging. On top of that, hyaluronic acid moisturizes the skin, and one of the six shades is bound to provide the perfect match for a perfect “no makeup” look!
6. Josh Rosenbrook Nutrient Day Cream (SPF 30)
ThinkDirty Rating: 3
Josh Rosebrook Nutrient Day Cream was one of the most recurring products I saw while researching cleaner sunscreens. It is a little more pricey than the others, but review after review read, “expensive but worth it!” Honestly, the reviews were so good that I had to order it for myself (it’s currently in the mail haha). This sunscreen uses 15% zinc oxide to provide broad-spectrum protection and plant oils to soothe and moisturize the skin in a luxurious way!
7. Colorscience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield (SPF 50)
EWG Rating: 3
I added this one because it is one of the facial sunscreens that Toska recommended in one of her monthly newsletters! This formula uses zinc oxide to protect skin from UVA, UVB and blue light rays. Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield is also full of antioxidants and it is water/sweat resistant for 40 minutes, so it would be a great option to use at the beach.
Ingredients to look for…
- Zinc and/or titanium dioxide should be the only ingredients listed under “active ingredients.”
- Familiar ingredients! I try to see how many recognizable plants/foods I can find in the ingredient lists.
Ingredients to look out for…
- The term “mineral-based.” This phrase is used for sunscreens that have mixed nontoxic mineral ingredients with irritating chemical ingredients. So, if you see “mineral-based,” be sure to carefully read the entire list of active and inactive ingredients.
- anything ending in -paraben
- phthalates
- sodium laureth sulfate
- oxybenzone
- octinoxate
- octisalate
- octocrylene
- homosalate
- avobenzone
- fragrance
Other things to keep in mind…
- It is best practice to wear sunscreen EVERY DAY! Not only do we need sunscreen on those gorgeous sunny days when we spend time outside, but also on cloudy days as well as on days we plan to stay indoors. Sunscreen not only protects us against harmful UV rays from the sun, but it also protects us from the damaging blue light rays from our phones and computer screens.
- Waterproof formulas are best, especially if you are at the beach or planning on doing any type of physical activity. Sunscreen formulas that are not waterproof can melt off the skin as soon as we start to sweat or wash off with the slightest splash of water. Most sunscreens typically stay water resistant for about 40-80 minutes, so be sure to reapply regularly.
- Dermatologists recommend using an SPF 30 or higher for the best protection against harmful UV rays.
- Broad-spectrum sunscreens are the most effective because they protect us from both UVA and UVB rays.
I am on a continuous journey to find the best and safest products, so if you have any other recommendations, I am all ears!
Great post! I am very sun sensitive so sun screen is a must for me! These are all a bit pricey (in my opinion). Any chance you came across a ‘clean’ drug store version?
Hi! Have you tried La Roche, Vichy, or Eucerin? I have seen those brands in Walgreens and they have formulas for sensitive skin that are SPF 30+ and that are dermatologist tested and approved. Hope this helps!
xoxo,
Sydney
http://www.thelotuslist.blogspot.com
This one is also a cleaner sunscreen that is a bit cheaper. It also does not have a plastic container. Instead the container is recyclable
https://www.rawelementsusa.com/collections/all/products/face-body-30-tin-plastic-free
Love this post!!! As a redhead, I burn really easily and have super sensitive skin and I’ve always struggled to find a great “clean” sunblock that doesn’t make my makeup look awful by the end of the day. I just started using the Biossance line and will definitely try that one. Thank you for the suggestions!
So funny – I spent all last summer trying non-chemical sunscreens and Countersun and the Biossance one were also my top two! Should have saved myself some time and money and asked you 🙂 I save the Biossance one for my face bc it’s expensive, and use the Beautycounter one everywhere else (and on my son). Although I didn’t know Beautycounter had a face one, maybe I’ll try it out this summer.
I used Think Baby sunscreen while pregnant and continue to use it now. Plus, it’s safe for baby, so all you need is one bottle for everyone!
Sunscreen is SO important! Thank you so much for the recommendations. I have sensitive, combination skin and I’m always on the look out for effective, broad spectrum sunscreens that are tailored to that. I also love that you included the Think Dirty ratings, and ingredients to avoid! Thanks for sharing!
xoxo,
Sydney
http://www.thelotuslist.blogspot.com
I have the biossance sunscreen and could not love or recommend it more! Have been using for a month now and am truly hooked.
xo Laura Leigh
https://louellareese.com
Hi was wondering who made your bathing suit ? It’s absolutely beautiful. Also how do you feel about Elta sunscreen? Thank you
It’s from Pink Lily, here is the link! https://rstyle.me/+k064y6u6CjFcR8ii6Kpe6w I haven’t heard of Elta sunscreen, I will do some research on it 🙂
Hey Beautiful Momma!! Where did you get that animal print swimsuit and what is the size?
Thank you! Here is the link! I’m wearing a size small 🙂 https://rstyle.me/+k064y6u6CjFcR8ii6Kpe6w
I use ColoreScience too! I use the bronze version for the face and the bronze body sunscreen that doubles as body makeup and I also love their sunscreen blush and sunscreen lip products.
My son has eczema and the scented Coola products caused him to have a flare up on his arm, so just a reminder to parents with kids with eczema to not to use scented sunscreens, even if you’re in a pinch that day.
Who knew that good and clean sunscreen would be such a difficult thing to find. I haven’t heard of most of these before, so I will have to give them a look. Thanks for sharing!
xoxo,
Em @ https://www.bloomingmagnoliasblog.com/
I love your focus on clean beauty! I just started my own blog, Life By Jacq, because I love clean beauty/wellness + fashion! 🙂
Hey! What are your thoughts on Elta MD clear sunscreen? I’ve been using this product for several years and I feel like it works better than most of them I have found but as I continue to struggle with persistent acne even in my 30s, I feel that even this lightweight product aggravates the cystic acne. I’m still struggling to find the right product for me while I don’t want to damage my skin there are many days I do not use anything because the result is acne following.