Are chemical sunscreens safe for your family? The answer to that question may surprise you. Sunscreen chemicals have been a topic of conversation for several years. Recent studies linked chemicals inside sunscreens to birth defects, infertility, hormone disruption in children, and the destruction of the coral reefs. Reaction across the country has varied, but the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has recently proclaimed that most of these chemicals inside sunscreens are probably unsafe as well. But never fear, Mamavation is here! You’ve trusted Mamavation to cover topics like safest shampoos, & differences between ozone, chlorine & freshwater pools, now join us as we share with you the problems that are arising out of chemical sunscreens. And stick around till the end to see the sunscreen product investigation where we’ve ranked all the sunscreens into categories of bad, better and best for your family.
Sunscreen Chemicals Can Cause Hormone Disruption In Children & All Sorts of Other Reproductive Problems In Adults Wanting to Have Children
The chemicals in common sunscreen are problematic to human health, especially pregnant women and young children. This is partly because the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) grandfathered in chemicals used in sunscreen during the 1970s without reviewing any evidence of potential health hazards. In other words, they didn’t bother to look into it. They just gave them approval.
Today this is proving to be a very unwise decision because these chemicals are proving to be a nuisance to human health and the environment. Oxybenzone, in particular, has been linked to reproductive hormone disruption like degraded sperm quality in men, & endometriosis in women.
A Danish study looked at sunscreen chemicals and which ones impacted male fertility. They found that 13 of the 29 chemicals used in sunscreen have the ability to impact calcium signaling in male sperm, which degrades the quality and can lead to anomalies. Men who had higher rates of oxybenzone in their system had more trouble getting a woman pregnant.
Most recently, researcher Craig Downs of the non-profit Haereticuls Environmental Laboratory published a study in the Clinical Dermatology Research Journal on oxybenzone in sunscreen products. They were trying to determine the safety of this chemical around children assuming exposure levels were under normal circumstances. They looked at oxybenzone in particular, but also considered other chemicals like avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate & octinoxate. They determined oxybenzone is detrimental to the health of children under normal conditions for several reasons, but the ones that stood out the most are:
- Oxybenzone is an endocrine disruptor to most species
- It has a low molecular weight allowing it to pass through human skin easily and get into the bloodstream
- Concerns have been expressed about potential systemic toxicity in children, especially considering children under two don’t have the enzyme needed to break it down inside their body
- Combining sunscreen chemicals together can cause them to become reactive at even lower levels, meaning they are more dangerous when combined with other sunscreen chemicals mentioned
Study Links Birth Defect Hirschsprung’s Disease to Oxybenzone Exposure During Pregnancy
Most recently researchers have tied Hirschsprung’s Disease with exposure to oxybenzone during pregnancy. In a study published in the Journal of Reproductive Toxicity researchers found that pregnant women with medium to high levels of oxybenzone in their urine had a higher chance of giving birth to a baby with Hirschsprung’s Disease. Later testing of the human cell lines demonstrated that very low levels of oxybenzone have the ability to disrupt cell migration in a similar fashion as Hirschsprung’s Disease. The amount of oxybenzone to do this disruption would be easily found in the body after normal sunscreen use. This confirms that oxybenzone could very well be the hidden link behind this disease that has impacted so many lives in the United States.
Hirschsprung’s Disease is where the baby is missing vital nerves in the large intestines. Typically, for newborns, this prevents nerves from growing beyond the large intestine to the anus, and that prevents the baby from having a bowel movement within the first 48 hours after being born. It sets them up for a lifetime of intestinal issues of severe constipation affecting 1 in every 5,000 babies. Children ultimately experience fecal retention, constipation, or abdominal distention. The only treatment is surgery.
Sunscreen Chemicals Bleach Coral Reefs Causing Cell Death. Could Oxybenzone Be The Reason for Such Large Scale Coral Reef Die Off?
Corals reefs around the world have been stressed to death, literally. Coral reefs turn white when they expel the algae inside of them that gives them energy. This phenomenon is happening globally around the world putting coral reefs in serious danger of extinction. Most of the time, warming oceans from climate change are cited, but initial research on this phenomenon has demonstrated that chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate, both in most sunscreens, are also causing the disruption.
Around 1980-1985 was when researchers started noticing coral reef decline. This was ironically the same time that tourism to islands like Hawaii increased. Craig Downs, a forensic ecotoxicologist and the executive director of the Virginia-based nonprofit Haereticus Environmental Laboratory, says oxybenzone is an “ecologically threatening chemical” that when you add to other issues like sewage pollution, erosion of dirt and sand, and rising oceanic temperatures can damage the corals beyond what can be fixed. In the short documentary “Reefs at Risk” he stated that “oxybenzone can do damage to corals at 62 parts per trillion, which is the equivalent to one drop in 6.5 Olympic sized swimming pools.” Considering 14,000 tons of sunscreen chemicals come off the skin of people swimming in the ocean around the coral reefs every year, it’s no wonder there is a problem.
There is debate as to whether banning oxybenzone is a prudent reaction to the problem, but for most scientists in the industry, taking an action is better than no action. “There are so many things about coral reefs that are a problem, and not many of them are easily tackled, whereas the sunscreen is easily tackled,” says Crane, a coral reef biologist and professor at Cabrillo College. “I think we should be grabbing at anything we can in getting the public involved in trying to protect these habitats.”
How Coral Reefs Compete With The Rainforest–Coral Reefs are Important to Our Eco-System In Ways You Might Not Have Known
The Coral Reefs are incredibly important to our eco-system, so losing them would be a travesty to our planet and to our health. Coral reefs represent 1% of the ocean, yet they house 25% of marine life. When compared to the Rainforest, they rival the amount of oxygen produced and carbon captured making them “some of the most productive eco-systems on the planet” says John Burns, Marine Biologist at the University of Hawaii. They also represent over $9 TRILLION dollars in terms of tourism, biomedical research, coastal protection, and food production. To give you an idea of how much that is, the oil industry represents about $3 TRILLION. In other words, they are more important to our economy than oil production and just as productive as the Rainforest to our survival.
Damage can be done to the coral reefs at 62 parts per trillion (ppt), which is an incredibly small amount. We better hurry and protect them because the damage done to the coral reefs is very serious already:
- 40% of the Great Barrier Reef has declined
- 85% of the coral reefs in the Carribean have declined
- 99% of the coral reefs in the Florida Keys have declined
Hawaii Becomes First State to Ban Oxybenzone Prompting Feds To Take A Closer Look
In 2018, Hawaii became the first state to ban the sale of any chemical sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate beginning in 2022. Key West in Florida followed suit in 2019. But countries like Palau, Bonaire, and Aruba have also banned oxybenzone to protect coral reefs close by. This movement to remove oxybenzone from products in the stores started years ago as a way to protect the coral reefs and human health. But what it also did was prompt the FDA to take a closer look at the safety of these chemicals and how they got into sunscreens into the first place.
FDA Has Warned The Public About Oxybenzone Causing Panic Among Brands Containing Sunscreen Chemicals. Will Retailers Pull Brands From the Shelves?
The FDA recently announced it will be proposing new regulation to ensure the safety and effectiveness of chemical sunscreens. They have admitted there is a lack of scientific data to declare any of these ingredients safe other than titanium dioxide and zinc.
Behind the scenes, this has caused somewhat of a panic among brands that are selling chemical sunscreens with toxic chemicals inside. They are wondering what the FDA will do and are mobilizing their army of lobbyists and public relations spin doctor teams to go to bat for these chemicals. They’ve already successfully squashed a bill in California to ban oxybenzone in 2019.
You’ll easily find proof of this oppositional campaign online if you search “oxybenzone” on google. One example is a site called “Safety & Care Commitment” from Johnson & Johnson. This is the same company that just lost billions of dollars in a court settlement for lying to consumers about their baby powder, which contained asbestos. Over 11,000 additional women are suing Johnson & Johnson after getting ovarian cancer from daily usage of their baby powder on their genitals. After lying to the public for over 40 years about one toxic chemical, they are asking you to trust them about another toxic chemical, oxybenzone. Johnson & Johnson owns Neutrogena Sunscreen.
Will retailers like Target, Walmart, Walgreens & CVS pull these sunscreens from the shelves because they contain chemicals that the FDA is officially unsure about? They should. Will they? Only time will tell. Whole Foods already has.
Researchers Find Oxybenzone Breaks Down Into More Toxic Byproducts in Public Pools Creating a Toxic Brew for Pregnant Women & Children.
It’s not just the ocean we should be concerned about. Oxybenzone can also be a big problem in public pools. When swimming pools are analyzed for chemicals, oxybenzone is consistently found. Oxybenzone, when mixed with the chemicals used to treat pools like chlorine, breaks down into byproducts that can be more problematic to public health than oxybenzone by itself.
Oxybenzone in swimming pools can be absorbed directly into the skin of pregnant women and children, increasing their exposure to oxybenzone and the risk associated with that exposure. For this reason, Mamavation recommends if you are pregnant or have children under the age of six, you find indoor swimming pools to swim in instead to avoid most of the exposure of these chemicals and their byproducts. People are typically not using chemical sunscreens when they swim in indoor pools. Where are these inside pools? Check out your local YMCA to see if they have an indoor pool. This is where I’ve found most of the indoor pools in my area. If you own your own pool and want to keep it clean, we recommend the same.
Some Mineral Sunscreens Use Nanoparticles in Their Formulations, Which Are Also Problematic to Human Health. So It’s Important to Find Non-Nano Sunscreen Formulas.
Another issue in the sunscreen industry is the use of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology hides inside brands you may think are “natural” but they are not. Some brands will use nano titanium dioxide and nano zinc oxide, instead of regular titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Nanoparticles are particles that are so small they have to be measured in nanometers. To put it into perspective, If the Earth represented a particle, a tennis ball in your hand would represent a nanoparticle. In others words, very very tiny.
Nothing is settled about the safety or dangers of nanoparticles in general, but they seem to be finding their way into lots of consumer products without a label. The cosmetic industry is full of nano. Potentially when you hear “new” or “improved” anything that formulation may have nanotechnology. When nanoparticles are used in sunscreen, it’s to lessen the whiteness of sunscreen on the skin. Who wants to look like a ghost, right? (Check out some of the tinted products in the “best” list if this is a concern of yours.)
The most infamous nanoparticle on the block is asbestos and it’s very deadly. Asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure causes Mesothelioma. The nanoparticle asbestos kills and there isn’t any doubt about that. This is how my own father died, so I’m on guard when nanoparticles are discussed. I have my own personal bias, but let me also share with you some additional concerns that researchers have below.
Nano Titanium Dioxide Linked to Aging Skin Faster. But Don’t Worry, To Solve That Problem They Just Coated It With Aluminum.
Nano Titanium Dioxide is linked with accelerating the aging process of your skin. As in, using it can make you look older faster. Nanoparticles tend to heat up when they are exposed to UV radiation and that produces oxidative stress, which causes aging and wrinkles. To solve this problem, manufacturers added a coating of silicone and aluminum to the titanium dioxide nanoparticles to protect them. However, this has caused some of those formulations to go sour quicker, meaning they stop working. And who wants aluminum sinking into their skin? Exposure to this metal is linked to Alzheimer’s Disease. Being that it’s so tiny causes even more concern. Nano titanium dioxide is also linked to problems during pregnancy. A recent study found that during the first trimester when pregnant mothers are exposed to nano titanium dioxide through aerosol, it can impact the growth of the baby by damaging the main artery and umbilical vein, while exposure later cut off blood flow to the fetus. Less is known about nano zinc oxide, but years ago it was linked to mitochondrial damage.
What About The Clean Label Project Investigation on Heavy Metals in Sunscreens? Well, I Found Some Funny Business Going On There.
In my research, I ran across a study that was done by The Clean Label Project on sunscreens. They tested 95 “mineral-based and chemical-based sunscreens from 33 of the most popular brands based on the Amazon.com best-seller list” for heavy metals, antioxidants & sulfates. All that sounds wonderful until you look closer at what happened. Interestingly brands like Coppertone, owned by Bayer/Monsanto, and Neutrogena, owned by Johnson & Johnson, are in leading positions but they ironically contain oxybenzone and several other problematic chemicals. How is that possible? Well, I took a closer look at what was happening, reached out to several brands for documentation on heavy metals, and interviewed several professionals to get a better picture of what happened.
The Clean Label Project set up a study that gives the advantage to chemical sunscreen companies. They’ve been consistently doing this in other investigations as well that you can read about here and here. After speaking with experts, it became obvious very quickly that they framed the study so mineral sunscreens would do worse on the onset by overly focusing on heavy metals and downranking the concerns of oxybenzone in their rankings. They provide some raw data but don’t assign brands to the data so you have no idea which result corresponds to which product. That’s bad enough, but what was even more troubling were emails that I saw from the Clean Label Project pitching one of the “bad” brands for an exclusive $250,000 annual sponsorship and certification label. Why would you pitch a “bad” brand for money and offer them a certification? Hmm, that’s odd. Could this be a pay to play situation? We also spoke with someone on their team who distanced themselves from this particular study making it clear they weren’t involved in the creation. So we reached out to them for a comment and they responded by denying all allegations. Ultimately, I don’t know what the answer is here, but I’ve decided not to use their findings in our investigation for those reasons.
Professionals Recommend Several Different Methods To Protect Your Family From Sun Damage
Mamavation recommends you use several different methods to avoid sun damage, including purchasing a non-toxic sunscreen. Here are some of the recommendations we got from our advisors.
- Purchase a mineral based non-toxic sunscreen with non-nano zinc oxide or titanium dioxide
- Take more precautions to stay out of the sun like purchase a sun umbrella or stay under cover
- Wear clothing that protects your body from the sun such as hats, long sleeves, and long pants
Mamavation Investigation on Sunscreens
Mamavation took a look at all the most popular brands and more natural brands to asses the safety of the products for families.
The Bad Guys
These are all chemical sunscreens. These brands contain oxybenzone, or other chemical sunscreen chemicals like octinoxate, or homosalate.
- Aveeno Protect & Hydrate Sunscreen, SPF 50
- Banana Boat Kids Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 100
- Banana Boat Kids Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 100
- Blue Lizard Australian Regular Sunscreen, SPF 50
- Coola Pina Colada Sunscreen Spray, SPF 30
- Coola Classic Body Organic Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
- Coola Classic Body Organic Sunscreen Spray, SPF 30
- Coppertone Water Babies Foaming Lotion Sunscreen, SPF 70
- Coppertone Kids Sunscreen Continuous AccuSpray, SPF 70
- Coppertone Kids Sunscreen Continuous Spray, SPF 50
- Coppertone Wet’n Clear Kids Sunscreen Continuous Spray, SPF 50+
- Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Stick, SPF 55
- CVS Health Kids Clear Sunscreen Spray, SPF 50 & 70
- CVS Health Sun Lotion, SPF 60
- EltaMD UV Clean Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, SPF 46
- EltaMD UV Daily Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, SPF 40
- Equate Baby Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 70
- Hawaiin Tropic Island Sport High-Performance Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Hawaiin Tropic Island Silk Hydration Continious Spray Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Hint Sunscreen Pineapple Spray Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Hint Sunscreen Grapefruit Spray Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Hint Sunscreen Pear Spray Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Kiss My Face Cool Sport Air-Powered Spray Sunscreen, SPF 50
- Kiss My Face Sensitive Side 3 in 1 Sunscreen, SPF 30
- La Roche Posay Anthelios Melt-In Sunscreen Milk, SPF 60
- Nature’s Gate Aqua Vegan Sunscreen, SPF 50
- Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen, SPF 60+
- Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunscreen, SPF 60+
- Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Stick & Spray Sunscreen, SPF 70+
- NO-AD Sun Care Sport Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 50
- NO-AD Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 45
- Panama Jack Sport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 85
- SuperGoop Everyday Sunscreen with Sunflower Extract, SPF 50
- Trader Joes Spray Sunscreen, SPF 50
- Up & Up Kids Sunscreen Stick & Spray, SPF 55 & 50
- Vanicream Sport Sunscreen, SPF 35
The Better Guys
These brands may contain octisalate, octocrylene, harsh preservatives, nanoparticles, formaldehyde releasers or undisclosed fragrances. That basically means they are better than the ones in the “bad” category, but still have some concerning ingredients.
- Alba Botanica Maximum Sunscreen Fragrance-Free Spray, SPF 70
- Alba Botanica Sensitive Sunscreen Fragrance-Free Spray, SPF 50
- Alba Botanica Baby Mineral Sunscreen Fragrance-Free, SPF 50
- Australian Gold Tinted Face Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
- Australian Gold Botanical Kids Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
- Aveeno Positively Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 50
- Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer, SPF 30
- Aveeno Absolutely Ageless Daily Moisturizer, SPF 30
- Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Aveeno Kids Zinc Oxide Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Babo Botanicals Fragrance-Free Baby Face Mineral Sunscreen Stick, SPF 30
- Babo Botanicals Baby Skin Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Babyganics Baby Sunscreen Spray, SPF 50
- Blue Lizard Australian Baby Sunscreen, SPF 50
- Blue Lizard Australian Kids Sunscreen, SPF 50
- Burnout Face & Body Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Burnout Eco Clear Zinc Oxide Sunscreen, SPF 35
- Burnout Kids Sunscreen, SPF 30
- California Baby No Fragrance Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Stick, SPF 30
- California Baby No Fragrance Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
- Cotz Healthier Sunscreen Plus, SPF 58
- Cotz Healthier Sunscreen Sensitive, SPF 40
- EltaMD UV Elements Broad Spectrum, SPF 44
- Juice Beauty Sport Sunscreen, SPF 30
- La Roche-Posay Antheilios Mineral Sunscreen Gentle Lotion, SPF 50
- Melaleuca Sun Shade Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30
- MDSolarSciences Mineral Cream Sunscreen, SPF 50
- MyChelle Sun Shield Liquid Non-Tinted Sunscreen, SPF 50
- MyChelle Replenishing Solar Defense Body Lotion, SPF 50
- Nurture My Body Organic Baby Sunscreen SPF 32
- Pacifica Mineral Bronzing Sunscreen Coconut Probiotic, SPF 30
- Pacifica Mineral Face Shade Coconut Probiotic Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Pacifica Mineral Body Butter Pineapple Flower, SPF 50
- Pacifical Mineral Body Butter Blood Orange, SPF 50
- Sun Bum Original Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
- Sun Bum Original Sunscreen Spray, SPF 30
- Sunology Mineral Sunscreen, Body, SPF 50
- Sunology Natural Sunscreen, Face, SPF 50
- Target Generic Brand Sport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
- TruKid Sunny Days Daily Minderal-Based Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Vanicream Sunscreen, SPF 30
The Best Guys
These are all mineral sunscreens containing either nano-free titanium dioxide or nano-free zinc oxide. These brands do not contain UV filters like oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, octisalate, & octocrylene. They also do not contain harsh preservatives, nanoparticles, formaldehyde releasers, parabens or undisclosed fragrances. An asterisk * means this brand has sent me laboratory results to prove they do not have heavy metal contamination and are well within California Prop.65 recommendations. We linked up as many best brands as we could find on Amazon for your easy purchase! Let me know which is your favorite! Leave a comment if we have missed a brand you’d like us to look at.
All Good Tinted Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30*
- All Good Kids Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30*
- All Good Sport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30*
- Aromatica Calendula Non-Nano UV Protection, SPF 30
- Aromatica Jerry’s Baby Non-Nano Sun Cushion, SPF 30
- Attitude 100% Mineral Sunscreen, Fragrance-Free, SPF 30
- Babo Botanicals Daily Sheer Tinted Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Babo Botanicals Sheer Zinc Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Badger Baby Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
- Bare Republic Mineral Baby Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Beauty by Earth Sunscreen, SPF 25
- Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
- Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Mist, SPF 30
- Burnout Ocean Tested Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Crunchi Sunlight Daily Facial Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Derma-E Sun Defense Oil-Free Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Derma-E Sun Protection Mineral Powder, SPF 39
- Earth Mama Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 40
- Earth Mama Kids Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 40
- Earth Mama Baby Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 40
- Earthley Sun Shield Lotion, (Legally not sunscreen, but very safe ingredients)
- Erbaviva Organic Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Goddess Garden Organics Baby Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 50*
- Goddess Garden Organics Kids Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 50*
- Goddess Garden Organics Sport Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 50*
- Goddess Garden Organics Baby Mineral Sunscreen Stick, SPF 50*
- Goddess Garden Organics Kids Mineral Sunscreen Stick, SPF 50*
- Goddess Garden Organics Sport Mineral Sunscreen Stick, SPF 50*
- Goddess Garden Organics Tinted Face of the Day Moisturizer, SPF 50 (various shades from light to dark)*
- Hello Bello Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 50
- Honest Company Sunscreen Spray, SPF 30
- Honest Company Sunscreen, SPF 50
- Just Skin Food Natural & Organic Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Kabana Organic Skincare Green Screen Sunscreen, SPF 35
- Kiss My Face Mineral Lotion Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Kiss My Face Organics Kids Defense Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Lemongrass Spa Tinted Sports Stick, SPF 30
- Max & Madeline Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, SPF 32
- Max & Madeline Sun Stick, SPF 30
- Max & Madeline Tinted Moisturizing Sunscreen, SPF 31
- Norwex Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Nurture My Body Baby Organic Sunscreen, SPF 32
- Poofy Organics The Sunscreen Stick, SPF 30
- Poofy Organics Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Pure Haven Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Raw Elements Face & Body Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Sanre Shaded Rose Facial Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Stream2Sea Face & Body Tinted Travel Facial Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Stream2Sea Eco-Tented Body Sport Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Stream2Sea Sport Sunscreen, SPF 30
- ThinkSport Kids Safe Sunscreen, SPF 50*
- ThinkBaby Safe Sunscreen, SPF 50*
- ThinkSport Safe Sunscreen, SPF 50*
- True Natural Neutral Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin, SPF 50
- True Natural Sunscreen Sport Stick, SPF 50
- Waxhead Sun Defense Sunscreen Stick, SPF 30
- Young Living Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
- Zeb’s Organics Sunscreen, SPF 30
Something to ponder: How do you feel about oxybenzone? Does this information concern you?
You can support these efforts by purchasing from better & best brands and getting political. Inform your local state assemblymember and state Senate about wanting a ban on oxybenzone.
This Brand Was Caught With a Toxic Ingredient and Immediately Changed
3rd Rock sunscreen from Honeycolony is a great choice too!!!
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I use a bunch of the best guys, thank you for listing them out! I recently purchased and have used myself Shea Moisture Mineral Body Cream (35 SPF) Daily Sunscreen. I’m not seeing any of the harmful ingredients listed here, but wondered what you thought!! Thanks again!
Hi,
Is the Raw Elements kids sunscreen one of the good guys as well? I see you have listed the regular Raw Elements one. I need it for my 9 month old and have found this brand in stores where I live.
Thanks!
Anyone interested in getting their hands on the Melaleuca brand that is on the safe list contact me.
What about Green Beaver?
Is it safe?
aloha, from the island of maui!!! So happy you are talking about the oxybenzone issue and what it is doing to the coral reefs. We have witnessed this first hand on our beautiful island. The Hawaiian Islands have banned the use of sunscreens containing oxybenzone, although I still see many on the shelfs, so not sure when this will totally go into effect. The product “BUM” does not contain oxybenzone and so I have gone with that, but I don’t see it anywhere on your list. Any info on it?
thank you
Can’t wait until Norwex Sunscreen is available in Canada!!! #OnWaitList!
Thanks for the info! Do you know about Live Clean sunscreen? thanks! https://www.amazon.ca/Live-Clean-Mineral-Sunscreen-Unscented/dp/B073X3TZMG/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=live+clean+sunscreen+baby&qid=1558110018&s=gateway&sr=8-2
How do I know if these will actually work? I want a great brand but I also want to know that it works! Some of the “best” don’t work well then you and your kids with sensitive skin get burned. Can you or anyone tell me if they actually work?
Hi Haley! Norwex has a 60-day satisfaction guarantee. Connect with me on Facebook if you want more information.
We have used the Think baby products (and have sensitive skin!) We really love them.
what about The Organic Pharmacy?
https://www.theorganicpharmacy.com/health-beauty/cellular-protection-sun-cream-spf50/118
it says: A natural mineral sunscreen that combines titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to provide protection against UVA and UVB rays.
Can someone let me know whether this is safe?
I want an spf 50 spray! Is there one?…not seeing anything in best category
What about ‘coral isles’?
no, all the sprays contain oxybenzone or the other terrible chemicals. Non-nano Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide won’t spray, they have to be rubbed on
Please review and add to safe sunscreens list – Sunblocz Baby+Kids sunscreen and Sunblocz Tinted sunscreen – Olen Skin Care newest chemical free sunscreen now available on Amazon.. 100% Natural Ingredients, SPF 50+ , Water Resistant, Broad Spectrum, Hypoallergenic, Leaping Bunny Certified, EWG Rated #1, Licensed Natural Health product, FDA Registered and Coral Reef Safe.
Hello! Are any of these not sticky? I have long hair and I’ve tried a few and my hair just ends up knotted, snarled, and stuck to my face and body when I wear the natural stuff. Please help!
Hi! Thanks for this super informative article!! Makes shopping for a safe sunscreen sooo much easier!! I sell with Willing Beauty and would LOVE for you to check our “Get Set SPF 30 tinted primer” out and give me your thoughts! It’s my ONLY sunscreen I use on my face!! Thanks!!!
Do u have any advice on Avon Bug Guard Plus IR3535® Expedition SPF30.
Can you link me to them please?
In which category would Aldi’s Lacura brand fit?
have you heard about human heart nature 100% natural safe protect sunblock? i hope it could make it in the “best” list. been using it. but it is a local product here in the philippines
I just got in an argument with my sister. She told me I’d get skin cancer if I didn’t put sunscreen on. I told her I’d get cancer from the toxins in sun screen before the sun. MIC DROP, anyways 🙂 as always thank you for the insight and investigations
I’m so happy and greatful to have found Goodness Garden I will make sure to buy nothing but the best for my family!!!
This is an amazingly thorough analysis! Already shared! What about DeVita Solar Body Moisturizer and Solar Body Block? I have searched high and low for clean sunscreens for years and we love them. Here are the ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis* (Aloe Vera) Gel, Capric/caprylic Triglycerides (Derived From Coconut), Lecithin Phospholipid, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Hyaluronic Acid (Vegan Source), Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil’, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Allantoin, Retinal (Vitamin A), Beta-Glucan (Derived From Oats), Daucus Carota (Heliocarrot) Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Oil, Sisym- Brium Irio (Sisymbrium) Oil, Cymbopogon Martini (Palmarosa) Oil, Antemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Essential Oil, Boswellia Carteri (Frankincense) Essential Oil, Vitis Vinifera* (Grape) Seed Extract. (Gluten Sensitive Safe)
I can’t see anything from your “no” list but there are a few ingredients I am unsure about.
https://www.amazon.com/Devita-Evening-Rich-Nutritional-Moisturizer/dp/B00CQ7V4FA/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_121_tr_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=78EEW2546M5K272K1YCP
I would point out that this is NOT gluten-free unfortunately and would highly recommend avoiding its use because of it. Even though one may not currently have a gluten sensitivity or allergy, at any time one can begin it, so… why use any products or eat any gluten and thus begin creating that threshold? Reducing or eliminating one’s inflammatory sources only helps the health long-term.
I know you’ve been getting a lot of questions and I thank you for your time in this however, are there any safe sunscreens or blocks for darker skin? everyone that I have found, tried has us walking around town looking like ghosts or purple people eaters.
Hi there, where would you put green people on this list?
Many thanks’
Arabella
Do you have any suggestions for those of us who would prefer to use something above spf 50? I am very fair and burn incredibly easy, spf 30 has never been enough for me. I was a trip to Hawaii re entry and burned through spf 100 and a T-shirt. I definitely want to protect the reefs and my self/family but struggle with the risk of skin cancer vs effects from the ingredients in sunscreen. Thanks!
SPF above 50 is a marketing lie unfortunately
What about Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion Broad Spectrum
50
I buy it from Sephora and it lists only Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide as it’s only active ingredients.
How do I know if they are non-nano?
It’s very likely nano if it doesn’t specifically say “non-nano”
Thank you i absolutely love this article.. I have been using this one can you tell me anything about it i dont see it on any of your extensive lists 🙁 I love it and it seems to be good.. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M8G39OW/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B01M8G39OW&pd_rd_w=4HCWv&pf_rd_p=80559f3c-f83b-49c1-8a72-40f936e9df7a&pd_rd_wg=yQOgN&pf_rd_r=KNKPZ2BJCDX1R44FAV3T&pd_rd_r=d7b2fd88-56e2-11e9-8b21-c1cc28e5a00b
Thanks for asking! I would put this brand into better. However, I would say they are using very harsh preservatives. They are the harsher side of better.
OMG! really surprising I was using Aveeno for my kido. Thanks for explaining all these.
You’re welcome!!
Norwex just came out with a sunscreen, could you do theirs?
https://shopus.norwex.biz/en_US/customer/shop/product-detail/388258
I found Norwex sunscreen on the Good Guys list!?
Can you advise on the Nivea brand please?
What about Coppertone Water Babies Pure & Simple Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 6.0 fl oz?
I was wondering about this one too. It is what I have been using for the past few years. I will be purchasing from your recommended list in the future. Your article was fascinating–so informative and well-researched. Thank you.
My favorite is https://caribbean-sol.com/ for my body and Mychelle brand for my face.
What about Keys Moisturizer with Sunscreen?
Are you being paid by Amazon or any of the companies that were featured in this article? I would like to see more studies or information on hormone or estrogen in these products as well.
Seriously I can’t imaging trying to sort through these products on my own!!! The sunscreen that I thought was “safer” and way more expensive is on the bad list!!! And my super expensive ester lauder day cream has oxy in it too. Thank you for keeping my family safe.
You’re very welcome!! XXOO
Thank you for doing this post! I’ve been wondering about this. It’s such a shame that so many bloggers promote these bad companies. Do you think they know what’s going on?
Perhaps some do while others really have no idea. Or perhaps don’t know the extent of it. Thanks for reaching out!
I bought a banana boat kind without oxybenzone in it. It was in Walmart. Is that safe?
That product would be in our “better” category, not our “best category. It likely has nanoparticles, harsh preservatives, and undisclosed fragrance.
Wrong link to True Natural Sunscreen…
It’s not to their website, its to Amazon.
I just threw away my Coppertone and picked up some All Sport & Goddess Garden. Can’t wait to try them out.
Let me know how it works out! Thanks for stopping by!
What about Adorable baby?
Thanks
Thanks for that suggestion! I added them to “best”!
Thank you for this!! I was just thinking about buying sunscreen and now I have new brands to try!
If you would like to use lemongrass spa, email me! [email protected]