We’ve been hearing about it for years, but what’s all the fuss about natural sunscreen? Short answer is, natural sunscreen is made from naturally sourced ingredients vs synthetic chemicals. Natural sunscreens are those that are mineral-based and non-toxic, and tend to avoid parabens, phthalates and harsh preservatives. But all of the options can be incredibly overwhelming, not to mention misleading. Which is exactly why I want to break down what natural sunscreen is, what ingredients to look for and some brand suggestions for adults and the kiddos.
I want to start out by saying I do believe in getting 10-15 minutes of sun a day without sunscreen because we need some UV exposure to produce vitamin D in the body. But as you know, too much sun exposure without protection can cause sunburn, skin and eye damage, premature aging and skin cancer. When I do reach for sunscreen, I choose natural brands to reduce the amount of chemicals my family and I are exposed to on a daily basis.
What Makes Sunscreen "Natural?"
It’s the active ingredients in the sunscreen that determine whether a sunscreen is natural or not. Right now, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are the only natural sunscreen ingredients that are approved by the FDA. If these minerals make up the active ingredients in your sunscreen, it's considered "natural." If it contains synthetic active ingredients like oxybenzone, octinoxate, or avobenzone, it's a chemical (aka synthetic) sunscreen.
Unfortunately packaging can be misleading. Don't let the label “natural” trick you into thinking you're getting a 100% natural product. Remember, the use of the word "natural" in your sunscreen only refers to the active ingredients. The rest of the ingredients in natural sunscreen can be completely synthetic. Also, the “organic” label on sunscreen usually means it has some type of botanical ingredients (ex: green tea extract) that was produced without pesticides. Organic does not necessarily mean your product is 100% natural, non-synthetic, or uses natural active ingredients. Sheesh, that was a mouthful. Basically, organic does not mean natural, and the use of the word “natural” on packaging does not mean it doesn't contain chemicals. Confused? I was too, which is why I pulled this reference together. Read on for my recommendations.
How Natural vs. Chemical Sunscreen Works
Natural sunscreens work differently than synthetic sunscreens. Synthetic sunscreen ingredients absorb UV rays. Natural sunscreens (with ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide), on the other hand, are physical blockers. They don't absorb UV rays, they block them. It's like having a "shield" over your skin protecting you from sun exposure.
When it comes to use, the biggest difference between synthetic and natural sunscreens is the way they absorb into the skin. Natural sunscreens have a bit of a thicker consistency than your typical sunscreen and may take a bit more rubbing to fully absorb into the skin. This is because zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are naturally white minerals that can leave a residue.
In an effort to reduce the white residue natural sunscreen often leaves on the skin, manufacturers have found a way to break down zinc oxide or titanium dioxide into nanoparticles (tiny microscopic particles) to help the sunscreen blend much more smoothly and evenly into the skin. While the skin acts as a filter to keep particles out of our body, some nanoparticles are so small that they can be absorbed through the skin. The issue with nanoparticles is that recent research calls into question the safety of these ingredients, as nanoparticles are small enough to penetrate cell membranes. This is why I look for “Non-Nano” whenever possible, especially in children’s sunscreen.
Nanoparticles of titanium dioxide are linked to DNA changes and nanoparticles of zinc oxide have been shown to generate free radicals.
Chemicals To Avoid
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) recommends avoiding ingredients such as oxybenzone, which is a known-allergen and may disrupt your hormones. Three studies reported statistically significant associations between oxybenzone exposure during pregnancy and birth outcomes.
Another ingredient commonly found in synthetic sunscreen is octinoxate, an endocrine disruptor that mimics estrogen and can disrupt thyroid function. These types of synthetic ingredients are easily absorbed by the skin, and can make their way into breast milk and possibly to baby in utero, if pregnant. In addition, octinoxate is toxic to reefs and has been recently banned in Hawaii. There is also homosalate which has been found to disrupt estrogen, androgen and progesterone, and octocrylene which causes relatively high rates of skin allergy.
How To Choose a Natural Sunscreen
1. Look for a broad spectrum sunscreen to make sure you’re protected from both UVA and UVB rays. Check out the active ingredients, specifically zinc oxide, either alone or with titanium dioxide. Zinc oxide gives broad-spectrum SPF, so it will protect you against both UVA and UVB rays (I look for non-nano (>100nm) zinc oxide as a UV filter).
2. Choose an SPF of 30 or higher to ensure you get enough protection for a reasonable period of time.
3. Take a look at the other ingredients if you're looking for all-natural. Remember, just because a sunscreen has natural active ingredients does not in itself make the sunscreen 100% natural. The vehicle—basically all the other ingredients in the sunscreen—could still be made up of synthetic ingredients.
4. Understand that a product labeled micronized, either on the front or in the active ingredients, will give you a sunscreen that absorbs more fully. On the other hand, non-micronized or non-nano products can sometimes leave a white residue, but if you're concerned about the possible health risk of nanoparticles, this may be the route to go. I personally use Non-Nano sunscreen for Haiden and myself.
Natural Sunscreen Recommendations
Adult Body Sunscreen:
Badger Clear Zinc Sunscreen SPF 30 - This is my go-to, and contains clear zinc oxide, which means it doesn't leave the heavy white residue while also being Non-Nano
Suntegrity Natural Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
Babo Botanicals Sheer Zinc Continuous Spray Sunscreen SPF 30
Thinksport Safe Sunscreen SPF 50
Adult Face Sunscreen:
Suntegrity 5-in-1 Tinted Moisturizing Face Sunscreen - I love this stuff and use it almost every day (I don't use foundation, just this product and some bronzer if I'm wearing makeup). It's made with non-nano size zinc oxide, and a true all-in-one product that will even out skin tone, moisturize and protect from the sun. I'm not a beauty blogger, but this product checks all of the boxes for me. Depending on the time of year, I use Light or Golden Light.
Josh Rosebrook Tinted Nutrient Day Cream SPF 30
Kimberly Sayer Ultra Light Moisturizer SPF 30
Kids:
Badger Baby Sunscreen SPF 30 - This is my go-to for Haiden
All Good Baby & Kids Sunscreen SPF 30
Babo Botanicals Sheer Zinc Continuous Spray Sunscreen SPF 30
*Note: Sunscreen shouldn't be used on babies younger than 6 months. Consult your pediatrician with any questions on child sun protection.
I also used the I Read Labels For You Sunscreen Guide as a reference, which is an incredible resource for non-toxic living.
