Gabrielle Richens
Updated: Feb 9, 2022
Have you become more aware of what you put on and in your body lately?
You’ve made a conscious effort to detoxify your life by choosing organic foods and less-toxic beauty products.
However, is the safety of sunscreen still a concern for you?
In the past two years, there has been a rise in reports of sunscreen harming coral reefs and marine life. The U.S. Virgin Islands is the latest in a growing list of travel destinations to announce a ban on all imports and sales of sunscreen containing oxybenzone and octinoxate.
This is where your natural skincare regime becomes tricky. You know the importance of wearing sunscreen —thanks to the beauty experts repeatedly warning you, “not to leave the house without your SPF” because “the sun is the number one skin ager” (it’s true).
But, if sunscreen is toxic and the sun is aging... What's a girl to do?!
Don't worry, I've done some research for you, and here's what I discovered about the most natural form of sunscreen —mineral sunscreen.
How To Choose Safe Sunscreen
What Is Mineral Sunscreen
10 Best Mineral Sunscreens For Your Face
*This post may contain affiliate links. You can read our Affiliate Policy here.
I know! Skincare plus sunscreen is bloody confusing. That's why I’ve compiled a list of the best non-toxic sunscreens (and reef-safe sunscreens) to incorporate into your morning skincare routine.
Including the best SPF to wear under makeup and the best oil-free sunscreen for oily and acne-prone skin types.
Now, before you scroll straight down to the product list, please check out this post on the difference between mineral and chemical sunscreen. It details how each one protects your skin from UV rays and highlights the specific health risks of chemical sunscreen.
Obviously, being a ‘clean beauty’ nerd I opt for mineral sunscreen, which is considered the safer, more natural choice. Therefore, chemical sunscreen is not featured on this list.
Mineral sunscreen works by creating a physical shield on top of your skin that deflects and scatters the sun's harmful rays. Unlike chemical sunscreen that takes 20 minutes before it's effective, mineral sunscreen begins working immediately.
When it comes to buying sunscreen you need to look for the active ingredients on the label. These ingredients make up the broad-spectrum protection that protects the skin from both UVA and UVB rays.
There are only two active ingredients in mineral sunscreen; zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
*Zinc oxide is the only full broad-spectrum protection of all the active ingredients used in sunscreen.
These are my clean beauty picks for the perfect mineral sunscreen to apply under your makeup.
DRUNK ELEPHANT - Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense SPF 30
OMOROVICZA - UV Mineral Shield SPF 30
ELTA MD - UV Physical Broad-Spectrum SPF 41 Lightly Tinted
DRUNK ELEPHANT - Umbra Tinte™ Physical Daily Defense
HOLLAND & BARRETT - Nature's Block 100% Natural Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
BARE MINERALS - Complexion Rescue Tinted Broad Spectrum SPF 30
BEAUTY KITCHEN - Mineral Shield Daily Primer SPF 30
I highly recommend Shade All-Natural Sunscreen if you get professional treatments like chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and microneedling —or do your own at-home!
It contains only four organic ingredients, coconut oil, shea butter, beeswax, and non-nano zinc oxide making it the perfect post-treatment must-have, as it will not irritate sensitized skin.
The reason I didn't add Shade to the top ten list is that the consistency is very thick and heavy. It leaves a white cast on the skin, so doesn't sit well under makeup.
Also, coconut oil and shea butter may clog pores for some, so wearing this one every day could cause breakouts for oily/acne skin types.
But, post-treatment, when your skin needs that extra layer of protection this product does the trick!
I make sense of skincare. Together we create better routines and lifestyle habits to empower you to feel more confident and in charge. I want everyone to be able to have a Skin Coach in their life, which is why I’ve designed 3 Skin Coaching Plans to fit any budget.