Sunscreen Ingredients to Avoid

It’s no secret that many skincare products contain toxins and harsh chemicals in their formulas. This is true across the board for all skincare- however, sunscreen has a few specific ingredients that consistently come up in most formulas. Chemical sunscreens have been linked to several negative health implications- as well as causing harm to the environment. Luckily, mineral sunscreens are a great alternative to reap the benefits of SPF (without the negative side effects). Before we discuss the best non-toxic SPF alternatives to chemical sunscreen, let’s dive into which chemicals should be avoided if possible.

Harsh Chemicals to Avoid in Sunscreen

Conventional sunscreens typically use chemicals like avobenzone, oxybenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene, homosalate, and octisalate. Although these ingredients are common, that doesn’t mean they’re safe. Key West and Hawaii both banned the sale of oxybenzone and octinoxate because of their toxic impact on marine life. Hawaii has expanded its regulations to ban avobenzone and octocrylene as well. Additionally, chemical sunscreen poses potential health risks for consumers:

Avobenzone

Although this filter protects from UVA rays, avobenzone is linked to endocrine disruption and has been observed as an obstacle to the effects of testosterone in cellular studies.

Homosalate

This organic UV filter is common in chemical sunscreens- however, homosalate has been observed to penetrate the skin, create toxic breakdown byproducts over time, and cause hormone disruption.

Octinoxate

Octinoxate easily absorbs into the skin and has been linked to allergic reactions and hormonal effects such as impacted thyroid hormone production and endocrine disruption.

Octisalate

This UV filter quickly penetrates the skin at levels 10 times more than the FDA’s limit for systemic exposure (0.5 nanograms per milliliter). Additionally, it has been linked to contact dermatitis and there isn’t enough available data to confirm that it’s safe for use in sunscreens.

Octocrylene

Similarly to octisalate, octocrylene penetrates the skin at levels about 14 times the FDA limit for systemic exposure. It has been linked to aquatic toxicity and is frequently contaminated with benzophenone (a known carcinogen).

Oxybenzone

This common sunscreen ingredient easily absorbs into the skin and has been linked to endocrine disruption, impacted pregnancy and birth outcomes, and allergic reactions.

Best Alternatives to Chemical Sunscreen

Although chemical sunscreens are made using harsh ingredients that pose health risks, many sunscreens use minerals instead to protect your skin from both the sun and harmful ingredients.

All Good Kid’s Sunscreen Butter Stick SPF 50+

This kid’s butter stick makes application easy and is water and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes. It’s created with organic ingredients like coconut oil, calendula flowers, and jojoba seed oil to nourish and protect the skin. All Good’s SPF stick is formulated without gluten, nano, harsh chemicals, GMOs, or animal testing.

All Good Tinted Mineral Sunscreen Butter Tin SPF 50

This certified organic tinted mineral sunscreen butter provides solid UVA/UVB broad-spectrum sun protection while nourishing the skin. It’s water resistant for up to 80 minutes, hypoallergenic, and is made reef-friendly without animal testing, GMOs, gluten, parabens, or harsh chemicals. This ultra-hydrating sunscreen butter is formulated with coconut and jojoba oil to moisturize the skin. It’s packaged in a convenient reusable tin and leaves a sheer tinted matte finish.

Celia’s Review: This tinted sunscreen tin applies with a hydrating, creamy texture. It’s easily blendable with a super subtle tint and glow. It’s extremely lightweight, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for barely-there coverage. Plus, the small tin package is great for bringing it on the go.

Babo Botanicals Super Shield Sport Stick Sunscreen SPF 50 Fragrance-Free

This broad-spectrum sunscreen uses 100% zinc oxide as the active ingredient. This sport stick applies extra sheer, is water and sweat-resistant, and provides up to 80 minutes of coverage. It’s hypoallergenic with a safe, gentle formula for all skin types. Made with nourishing ingredients like vitamin E and natural antioxidants, this sunscreen helps to soothe and moisturize the skin while protecting it from the sun. It’s made without gluten, dairy, soy, parabens, phthalates, animal testing, or chemicals.

Celia’s Review: I love the convenient stick application of this sunscreen- it’s easy to swipe on and throw back in your bag. It’s hydrating and doesn’t feel sticky or thick. This sunscreen stick glides on quickly and is ideal for squirmy kids.

Cocokind Daily Facial Sunscreen Lotion SPF 32

Cocokind’s facial sunscreen lotion offers SPF 32 to protect against UVB, UVA, and even blue light. It’s cruelty-free, vegan, recyclable, and sustainably packaged using sugarcane materials. It’s formulated for sensitive skin using non-nano zinc oxide, microalgae, and phytoplankton to protect against environmental stressors and prevent dark spots and signs of premature aging. It’s vegan, cruelty-free, and made without any harsh chemicals.

Hello Bello Sunscreen Mineral Lotion SPF 55+

Hello Bello’s mineral lotion provides SPF 55 broad spectrum UVA + UVB protection and is reef-friendly, water-resistant, vegan, dermatologist-tested, cruelty-free, and hypoallergenic. This hydrating formula contains soothing ingredients like avocado, cucumber, cocoa seed butter, and chamomile to nourish the skin while shielding it from the sun. It’s made without phthalates, parabens, synthetic fragrances, animal testing, harsh chemicals, phenoxyethanol, nanoparticles, PABA, or common allergens.

Celia’s Review: This mineral lotion has a pleasant, barely-there citrusy fragrance. It’s hydrating without being too thick or greasy and easily blends into the skin. I like to apply it as a base underneath my makeup, and I haven’t noticed any patchiness or uneven spots in my foundation.

Mad Hippie Sheer Tint Sun Serum SPF 29

This sheer tint sunscreen provides SPF 29 UVA/UVB Broad-Spectrum. It’s tinted using minerals and made without parabens, silicone, petrochemicals, phthalates, or synthetic fragrances and dyes. This lightweight serum is formulated with skin-loving ingredients like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, pomegranate seed oil, resveratrol, and squalane to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, combat free radicals and discoloration, and provide intense hydration to the skin.

Celia’s Review: I’ve been wearing this as a natural-looking foundation base almost daily. Since it goes on as a moisturizer, I apply it with my fingers for easy, lightweight coverage. It has a subtle tint and effortlessly blends into the skin. This serum provides the perfect base for makeup or can be worn alone for a sheer layer of coverage. It’s not sticky and has a nice, subtle scent that isn’t overpowering.

MyChelle Dermaceuticals Protect Sun Shield Clear Spray Sunscreen SPF 30

MyChelle’s zinc-based clear spray sunscreen provides up to 80 minutes of broad spectrum SPF 30, is reef safe, and water resistant. It’s made without gluten, parabens, harsh chemicals, petroleum, GMOs, retinyl palmitate, phthalates, ureas, sulfates, or artificial fragrances and colors. It’s vegan, cruelty-free, recyclable, and easy to spray onto the skin for non-toxic sun protection.