We updated this article in June 2023 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive research done by our team.

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Whether you’re concerned with your own health or the well-being of the planet at large, the best natural sunscreens are a safe bet for both your skin and the earth. Because they’re designed to be free of certain chemicals and friendly to sensitive skin, these mineral-based SPFs are worth taking on your next beach trip or hike.

That’s not to say that chemical sunscreens are automatically bad, though: The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and the Skin Cancer Foundation agree that the benefits of chemical sunscreens “far outweigh any potential downsides,” says Joel Schlessinger, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon.

“However, many natural sunscreens work without chemicals to provide great sun protection and coverage,” he continues. Anyone with a history of a sunscreen allergy or conditions like rosacea and eczema might want to stick with natural sunscreens, which could bother skin less than their chemical counterparts.

Natural SPFs are also generally known as reef-safe sunscreens since they don’t contain potentially toxic ingredients like oxybenzone, a UV-blocking chemical associated with dire consequences for marine life. Still, the term “natural” is a bit hard to define, as it’s not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration—so you’ll have to read the label to ensure you’re avoiding chemical filters or potential skin irritants.

Even with all of this in mind, shopping for the right sunscreen can feel completely overwhelming. So we did the work for you, including researching the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) ratings for sunscreens. Sunscreens are rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the safest and the top possible score of EWG-verified.

Our top picks

• BEST OVERALLBlue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SunscreenREAD MORE
• BEST VALUEAveeno Positively Mineral SunscreenREAD MORE
• BEST FOR DAILY WEARSun Bum Mineral SPF 30 Non-Tinted Sunscreen Face LotionREAD MORE

Whether you want to avoid dangerous chemicals or simply want to know exactly what you’re putting on your skin, here are the best natural and organic sunscreens that will help protect you from the sun’s harmful rays.

1

BEST OVERALL

Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen

Now 12% Off

$13 AT AMAZONCREDIT: BLUE LIZARD

PROS

• Great for Sensitive Skin
• UV Exposure Indicator on Bottle
• Fragrance-Free

CONS

• May Leave a Cast on Dark Skin Tones

Named one of our best sunscreens of 2023, Blue Lizard’s formula is ideal for those with sensitive skin. “My patients with the most sensitive skin are able to tolerate this,” says Lauren Ploch, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and fellow of the AAD. “Plus, the bottle turns blue when there is UV exposure, so it’s a great reminder to reapply.” You’ll find no chemicals, parabens, or fragrances in this sunscreen.

EWG Rating	2
SPF	30
Water Resistance	40 Minutes

2

BEST VALUE

Aveeno Positively Mineral Sunscreen

$32 AT AMAZONCREDIT: AVEENO

PROS

• SPF 50
• Great for Face and Body

CONS

• Thick Formula

“This sunscreen is free of chemical blockers, and uses mineral technology to protect the skin,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. The natural, fragrance-free formula feels non-greasy, doesn’t clog pores, and can be applied to both face and body. It also contains oat extract, an especially soothing ingredient for easily irritated skin.

EWG Rating	5
SPF	50
Water Resistance	80 Minutes

3

BEST FOR DAILY WEAR

Sun Bum Mineral SPF 30 Non-Tinted Sunscreen Face Lotion

$21 AT AMAZONCREDIT: SUN BUM

PROS

• Vegan
• Buttery texture
• Leaves a matte finish

CONS

• May leave white cast on darker skin tones

This unscented, hypoallergenic face sunscreen earned top marks from the Good Housekeeping Beauty Lab. Testers appreciated its “silky” texture, and some compared it to a makeup primer, which is why this zinc-based formula is a great choice for a daily facial sunscreen. “The non-tinted didn’t leave any noticeable cast,” said one Amazon reviewer. “It spreads easily and dries with an almost powdery finish. Regular sunscreen feels greasy on my face after awhile, but this doesn’t.”

EWG Rating	3
SPF	30
Water Resistance	40 Minutes

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4

BEST GENTLE BODY LOTION

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection SPF 50 Body Shield

$49 AT AMAZONCREDIT: COLORESCIENCE

PROS

• Available in two shades
• Oil-Free
• Contains shea butter esters and chamomile

CONS

• Pricey

When it comes to mineral body sunscreen lotions, this is one of the best for sensitive skin. It didn’t cause stinging or irritation in 95% of GH Beauty Lab testers, and 100% of testers agreed it didn’t irritate eyes or skin when used on the face. Plus, it comes in a bronze shade that’s ideal for darker skin tones. While it’s a pricey pick, it’s worth it if your skin is easily irritated. “It glides over the skin, doesn’t leave a white cast even on my brown skin, and it stays put. I love the texture,” said an Amazon shopper.

EWG Rating	3
SPF	50
Water Resistance	80 Minutes

5

MOST LOVED BY DERMATOLOGISTS

EltaMD UV Physical Sunscreen

$43 AT WALMARTCREDIT: ELTAMD

PROS

• Water-Resistant for up to 40 Minutes
• Oil-Free
• UV Physical Protection

CONS

• May Leave a Cast on Dark Skin Tones

This oil-free SPF combines zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and zero fragrances or parabens (a win for sensitive skin). It’s also water-resistant for 40 minutes, so you can get your swim in. “This provides a nice tinted and matted coverage for the face,” says Julia Tzu, M.D., founder and medical director of Wall Street Dermatology in New York. “You can mix it with an un-tinted sunscreen to achieve your skin tone.”

EWG Rating	3
SPF	41
Water Resistance	40 Minutes

6

BEST FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Ultra-Light Face Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50

$37 AT AMAZONCREDIT: LA ROCHE-POSAY

PROS

• Non-Greasy
• Fragrance-Free

CONS

• May Leave a Cast on Dark Skin Tones

A favorite of Dr. Zeichner, this zinc oxide- and titanium dioxide-based face sunscreen offers serious sun protection. Better yet, it’s noncomedogenic and formulated without skin-irritating fragrances—and it dries matte. “It’s not greasy at all and absorbs into the skin immediately,” one reviewer writes. Just be warned: its white cast is tough to rub in for melanin-rich skin tones, according to reviewers.

EWG Rating	5
SPF	50
Water Resistance	40 Minutes

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7

BEST FOR ACNE-PRONE SKIN

Supergoop! Mineral Mattescreen Sunscreen SPF 40

$38 AT SEPHORACREDIT: SUPERGOOP!

PROS

• Acts as a Primer
• Good for Oily Skin

CONS

• Some Users Report Dry Skin After Use

This shine-free formula has a whipped texture that sinks in quickly while blurring pores—and it won’t exacerbate acne. “This mineral sunscreen is gentle, protects the skin, and acts like a primer,” Dr. Zeichner says. “It absorbs oil, giving a matte appearance.” It’s also completely free of chemical filters and fragrances, and reviewers say it’s one of the brand’s best products.

EWG Rating	Not Rated
SPF	40
Water Resistance	40 Minutes

8

BEST FOR DARKER SKIN TONES

Unsun Mineral Tinted Face Sunscreen

$26 AT JCPENNEYCREDIT: NORDSTROM

PROS

• Nourishing Ingredients
• Creamy Formula

CONS

• Only Available in Two Shades

Reef-safe, cruelty-free, and packed with nourishing shea butter, vitamin E, and coconut oil, this sunscreen from Black-owned brand Unsun is already worth adding to your cart. But thanks to its soft tint and creamy formula, it’s especially great at blending into darker skin tones—a much-needed improvement over other formulas that leave a white cast on skin. It “feels great on skin, leaves a beautiful radiant finish, and wears well throughout the day,” one reviewer reports.

EWG Rating	4
SPF	30
Water Resistance	80 Minutes

9

BEST FOR BODY

Vacation Mineral Lotion SPF 30 Sunscreen

$21 AT AMAZONCREDIT: VACATION

PROS

• Water-Resistant for Up to 80 Minutes
• Moisturizing Formula

CONS

• Lightly Scented

Body sunscreens should be cost-effective and easy to bring with you wherever you go—and Vacation’s mineral formulation fits the bill perfectly. Full of moisturizers like glycerin and vitamin E (and free from skin-irritating fragrances), this retro-looking sunscreen is begging to be brought along to the beach. Plus, it’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. “With a light touch, you get a nice dry finish. Great for sensitive skin,” one reviewer says.

EWG Rating	Not Rated
SPF	30
Water Resistance	80 Minutes

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10

BEST FAST-ABSORBING

ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+

$70 AT AMAZONCREDIT: ISDIN

PROS

• Quick-Absorbing
• Water-Resistant for 40 Minutes

CONS

• Pricey

Formulated with natural zinc oxide, this lightweight, completely mineral sunscreen was developed to be quick-absorbing and invisible on the skin. It’s also made with ingredients like DNA repairsomes and vitamin E, which add extra moisture and protection to your skin. And it’ll hold up in the water for up to 40 minutes, meaning you can fit in plenty of laps in the pool before reapplying.

EWG Rating	8
SPF	50
Water Resistance	40 Minutes

11

BEST HIGH-SPF

MDSolar Sciences Mineral Crème Sunscreen

$32 AT AMAZONCREDIT: AMAZON

PROS

• SPF 50
• Water-Resistant for up to 80 Minutes

CONS

• May Leave Cast on Darker Skin Tones
• Users Report Oily Feeling

Gentle enough for the whole family, this SPF packs free radical-fighting antioxidants, like vitamin C, green tea, and pomegranate extract, to fight premature signs of aging. Because it’s noncomedogenic, water-resistant for 80 minutes, and free of oils, fragrances, parabens, sulfates, and phthalates, this is a great pick for all skin types. “It is the first facial sunscreen that has not broken me out or made my eyes burn,” one Amazon reviewer raves.

EWG Rating	2
SPF	50
Water Resistance	80 Minutes

12

BEST FOR ALL SKIN TONES

EleVen by Venus Williams Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 40

SHOP AT AMAZONCREDIT: ELEVEN BY VENUS WILLIAMS

PROS

• Hydrating formula
• Semi-Matte

CONS

• Some Users Report Frustration With Applicator

Approved by Venus Williams herself, this SPF can hold up on the court while also seamlessly blending into the skin. The reef-safe serum delivers much-needed moisture and sun protection from zinc oxide. “A few of my friends and I have been using this product, and only those of us with truly dry skin have loved it,” one Credo reviewer says. “It leaves my skin hydrated and semi-matte, and it’s a great primer for makeup.”

EWG Rating	1
SPF	40
Water Resistance	40 Minutes

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13

BEST FOR MATURE SKIN

Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Oxide Dry-Touch Face Sunscreen

Now 18% Off

$16 AT AMAZONCREDIT: NEUTROGENA

PROS

• Hydrating
• Works Well With Makeup

CONS

• May Leave Cast on Dark Skin Tones

Neutrogena’s great value zinc oxide face sunscreen was easy to apply and effective at preventing sunburn, the Good Housekeeping Institute notes. The smooth, softening formula is ideal for mature skin types, and it works well under foundation. In fact, the GH Institute says testers found it didn’t interfere with their makeup application. Several users remarked that they liked how it “moisturized skin.” Like many physical sunscreens, it might leave a bit of a white cast at first while it soaks in, so it may be better suited for fairer skin tones.

EWG Rating	5
SPF	50
Water Resistance	80 Minutes

14

BEST WATER-RESISTANT

Thinksport Mineral Sunscreen

$10 AT AMAZONCREDIT: AMAZON

PROS

• Water-Resistant for up to 80 Minutes
• Anti-Aging Formula

CONS

• May Leave a Cast on Dark Skin Tones

This chemical-free, organic sunscreen packs aloe vera, jojoba oil, and hyaluronic acid to keep skin feeling hydrated, smooth, and soft. It also contains vitamin C, a powerful anti-aging antioxidant that offers extra protection against sun damage. The water-resistant formula lasts up to 80 minutes and absorbs quickly, meaning you won’t have to worry about that greasy feeling as you lounge by the water.

EWG Rating	2
SPF	50
Water Resistance	80 Minutes

15

BEST GEL

Bare Republic Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Gel-Lotion

$17 AT KOHL’SCREDIT: BARE REPUBLIC

PROS

• Affordable
• Great for Oily Skin

CONS

• May Leave a Cast on Dark Skin Tones

This lightweight mineral sunscreen has a gel-like consistency for sheer application. It’s free of chemical actives, synthetic fragrances, and parabens. Plus, it’s Hawaii Reef Compliant, meaning it doesn’t contain oxybenzone and octinoxate.“I’m impressed with how nice the slight green-tinted gel color-corrects the red areas on the face as well [as it does], as it’s pretty sheer going on without that terrible white cast,” one Walmart reviewer says of this zinc oxide-based SPF. “Oh, and it’s at an affordable price point, too.”

EWG Rating	1
SPF	30
Water Resistance	40 Minutes

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16

BEST FOR ATHLETES

Coola Coola Mineral Body Sunscreen

$32 AT ULTA BEAUTYCREDIT: ULTA

PROS

• Water-Resistant for up to 80 Minutes
• Nourishing Ingredients

CONS

• May Leave a Cast on Dark Skin Tones

Coola’s vegan, organic sunscreen made with zinc oxide is not only sun-protective, but also keeps skin feeling super soft, thanks to nourishing ingredients like shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and coconut oil. Water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, it’s a great option for beach days and outdoor workouts.

EWG Rating	5
SPF	50
Water Resistance	80 Minutes

How to pick the best natural sunscreen for you

Find the active ingredient. Natural sunscreens are formulated with mineral or physical sunscreen ingredients, like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which physically block the sun’s rays from UV damage, as opposed to chemical sunscreens that absorb radiation once it reaches your skin, Dr. Schlessinger explains. As a bonus, these ingredients are considered reef-safe, as they have not yet been found to harm corals.

Look for extras. In addition to sun protection, your SPF of choice can include ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, shea butter, aloe vera, and glycerin for a boost of skin-soothing moisture. Products without oils, fragrances, or para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) will also help minimize irritation, says Meghan Feely, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New Jersey and New York and a clinical instructor in Mount Sinai’s Department of Dermatology.

Kick up the SPF. To ensure optimal sun protection, Dr. Schlessinger recommends sticking with SPF 30 or higher. Going lower might not offer enough protection against the sun’s radiation, which can cause skin cancer, especially if you’ll be spending a lot of time outside. Thankfully, oxides offer protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

How we chose the best natural sunscreen

We consulted Joel Schlessinger, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon, Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, Julia Tzu, M.D., founder and medical director of Wall Street Dermatology in New York, and Lauren Ploch, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. We also tapped the Good Housekeeping Institute, which tests countless products to ensure a fair and accurate representation of each item, examined online reviews, and researched the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) ratings for sunscreens (on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the safest and the top possible score of EWG-verified) to create this list.