Every health or productivity hack ever will tell you how many benefits you can get by soaking in some sunlight for about 10 minutes after waking up. The sun is, no doubt, an essential part of our lives. But what happens when you over-expose yourself? You risk getting skin cancer. That’s what makes sunscreen your best friends when you simply can’t avoid going out during peak hours. So, how do you choose the right type of sunscreen for you?
Table of Contents
7 Best Natural Sunscreen You Can Use Comparisons
IMAGE | LOTION | DETAILS | |
---|---|---|---|
California Kids |
| Check The Price | |
Australian Gold |
| Check The Price | |
True Natural Lip Balm |
| Check The Price | |
Juice Beauty |
| Check The Price | |
100 Percent Pure |
| Check The Price | |
Herbal Choice Mari |
| Check The Price | |
Derma E |
| Check The Price |
Types of Sunscreens
The sun is one of our best friends, but it can quickly turn into our worst enemy. That means that sunscreen should be a mandatory product to make its way into everyone’s home. When you’re off shopping for sunscreen, you will likely come across:
- Water-resistant sunscreens are super important, as long as you remember that they are not waterproof. This means that, for a limited time only, your skin will be protected from the sun even if you sweat or swim, but you will have to reapply the sunscreen again. The market’s best sunscreens have a water-resistance period of about 80 minutes.
- Some sunscreens come in spray form and, much like a deodorant spray, you have to spray them on your body. These are great on-the-go solutions that won’t get your hands dirty.
- Natural sunscreens are the topic for the day, but do you know why they are called “natural”? It’s not because they are only made with essential oils and plant extracts, but because they contain minerals like zinc oxide, which are extracted from the earth.
- Some lotions and other cosmetic/skincare products already have SPF included in their formulas. Some good examples are foundations or lip balms.
- Other sunscreens come in stick form, which looks very similar to deodorant in terms of how it’s packaged. These products are good for spot application, like when you feel you need some sunscreen on your nose.
Benefits of Using Sunscreen
If you were to ask someone what they thought the benefits of sunscreen were, most of them would immediately refer to the skin cancer protection. While that is true, sunscreens do more than just shield us from cancer:
- They delay signs of aging. What some people may not know is that UV exposure actually speeds up the aging process.
- They prevent sunburns. While you might not get skin cancer, chances are you can end up with very nasty sunburn. And if you don’t know what a sunburn is, let me tell you: it’s days and nights of sore, red skin, which causes chills and discomfort every time your skin touches something. Horrible.
- They keep your skin protected even if you’re not prone to sunburn.
- It keeps your skin tone even. The sun can cause plenty of problems on both a healthiest and a beauty level. Because nobody likes to have spots and discolorations, sunscreen is king!
Top 7 Best Natural Sunscreen Reviews
Time to review some of our most favorite sunblock of 2019. As always, we’ve added a little something in here for everyone, including one product that Consumer’s Report called the most efficient natural sunscreen on the market.
California Kids
- Key ingredients: titanium dioxide, calendula extract, coconut oil, rosemary leaf extract
- Product quantity: 2.9 oz.
- SPF: 30+
Don’t let the number of ratings fool you. The California Kids sunscreen was voted the best natural sunscreen by Consumer Reports, after having analyzed several factors that are important to have in a product falling in this category.
Testing the product required careful analysis of aspects such as UVA radiation protection, SPF level, and SPF variation (which indicates how accurate the SPF mentioned on the label is in reality). This sunscreen performed excellently in all aspects, so if you trust the performance tests of Consumer Reports, this is the right sunscreen for you.
California Kids has created an award-winning product that’s water-resistant, has an SFP protection of 30+, and doesn’t contain any added fragrance. It’s made with a vegan and tear-free formula that makes it safe to use by children and adults alike.
Who Should Purchase This?
If you’re willing to go the extra mile money-wise and want a natural sunscreen that’s tested by professionals, you definitely have to look into what the California Kids sunscreen has to offer.
Pros
- Tested and rated “excellent” by Consumer Reports.
- No added fragrances.
- Vegan formula.
- Good for allergies.
- Great for children.
Cons
- Leaves a pasty white residue on the skin.
Australian Gold
- Key ingredients: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, plum fruit extract, shea butter
- Product quantity: 3 oz.
- SPF: 50
Australian Gold has surprised us with a really good sunscreen, based on a formula that promises to be rich in antioxidants. This serves as a facial sunscreen, so it can be used with other makeup products to protect your face against sun radiations. As most natural sunscreens do, this one also contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are minerals extracted from the earth.
The formula was created to bring a product that doesn’t contain any oils, dyes, petrolatum, phthalates, or parabens. It doesn’t have any fragrances, which makes it suitable for people with delicate and sensitive skin, which would otherwise end up having irritations because of products with perfume. Some other ingredients worth mentioning are eucalyptus, shea butter, and red algae, all of which are rich in antioxidants.
Who Should Purchase This?
Looking for a facial sunscreen that’s a little more affordable? This Australian Gold natural product doesn’t cost very much, but is efficient nevertheless.
Pros
- No added fragrance.
- Convenient cost.
- High SPF.
- Hypoallergenic
- Water-resistant up to 80 minutes.
Cons
- May clog pores
True Natural Lip Balm
- Key ingredients: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, coconut oil, aloe vera lip extract
- Product quantity: 0.8 oz.
- SPF: 30
Hey, lips need sun protection too, ok? So why not choose a product that manages to deliver protection and care for the delicate skin of your lips? This lip balm created by True Natural is one of the best natural sunscreens for face and lips. It doesn’t contain any alcohol or gluten but instead focuses on a formula that delivers a mineral-based product with plenty of ingredients to look forward to.
It has a non-whitening formula that keeps your lips looking natural and hydrated and is great for under makeup. It contains ingredients like coconut oil and aloe vera leaf extract, to make sure that you get only the very best protection and nourishment for your lip.
The added ingredients give this lip balm a nice scent, but no taste. Surprisingly enough, the lip balm is also water-resistant up to 80 minutes before it requires a fresh new application.
Who Should Purchase This?
If you want a real treat for your lips, but also the certainty that they will stay protected under the sun’s harsh UV rays, the True Natural sunscreen lip balm is a product that deserves a boost up to the top of your list.
Pros
- Water-resistant up to 80 minutes.
- Pleasant scent.
- No taste.
- Good price.
- Gluten-free.
- Cruelty-free.
Cons
- Does leave a white residue.
Juice Beauty
- Key ingredients: aloe vera leaf juice, coconut oil, jojoba oil
- Product quantity: 3 oz.
- SPF: 30
Working out in the sun can sure help burn a lot of calories, but are you prepared to stay protected from sun damage? With this Juice Beauty sunscreen, you can easily tackle the situation. It’s a reef-safe, chemical-free product that promises a quick absorption so that your skin will feel refreshed after each application.
It is based on natural ingredients such as coconut oil (which is known for its high antioxidant properties and the skin-glow it offers), aloe vera leaf juice (which is a very powerful against burns, but also offers a soothing sensation as it moisturizes the skin), or jojoba oil (which is rich in nutrients and fatty acids that your skin needs).
Since we’re dealing with a natural formula, the Juice Beauty sunscreen is free of whatever ingredients may worry you, including added fragrances, artificial dyes, silicones, phthalates or petroleum.
Who Should Purchase This?
With its 80 minutes of protection between applications, the Juice Beauty Sport sunscreen is your trusted companion that keeps your skin safe from UV rays while you stay safe from calories.
Pros
- No added chemicals.
- Good for all skin types.
- Reef-safe.
- Water-resistant up to 80 minutes.
- Vegan formula.
- Cruelty-free.
Cons
- Slightly tinted.
100 Percent Pure
- Key ingredients: zinc, vegetable glycerin, yerba mate leaf extract, safflower seed oil
- Product quantity: 3.4 oz.
- SPF: 30
Do you know why we absolutely had to add a mist in this list? Because they are super refreshing and very clean to put on. That’s because you don’t get lotion all over your hands, which means you won’t have to wash them after, which means you’re ready to go with the push of a button.
This mist offers full-body protection, but make sure you don’t spray sunscreen directly on your face. It contains ingredients such as yerba mate (which has antioxidants with anti-aging properties that make the skin more elastic), safflower oil (a soothing and moisturizing ingredients), and jojoba oil (a moisturizer that also heals the skin).
It has a formula that’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes of sweating or swimming, plus an SPF of 30. When you’re ready to use it, simply shake the container, spray it on your skin, rub it on the skin if you want better coverage with less product, and you’re good to go.
Who Should Purchase This?
If you want to go with a different sunscreen application approach, try the 100 Percent Pure mist sunscreen that protects your skin while leaving your hands clean.
Pros
- Great for those who are on the run.
- Ultra-fine mist.
- Very refreshing.
- Clean application.
- Good for all skin types.
- Water-resistant for 80 minutes.
Cons
- Product runs out fast.
- Costly.
Herbal Choice Mari
- Key ingredients: zinc oxide, extra virgin olive oil, jojoba oil
- Product quantity: 0.5 oz., 2 oz., 3 oz., 4 oz
- SPF: 30
If it’s tinted sunscreen you’re after, Nature’s Brands is something for you to check out and is an organic brand that works. Their sunscreen is available in three shades: medium beige, light ivory, and hark honey. While this product is tinted, it shouldn’t be used as a self-tanner, because it’s a sunscreen that helps camouflage white tint that other similar products will leave on your skin. It is made with organic ingredients that include jojoba and olive oil.
The product is free of any potentially harmful ingredients, including GMA, parabens, or preservatives. It’s a cruelty-free and vegan product, perfect for anyone who is looking to shift from suspicious products to more natural ones.
Nature’s Brands tinted sunscreen is designed to be used for both your face and your body, offering great UV protection thanks to its SPF of 30. It’s also one of the best baby natural sunscreen options.
Who Should Purchase This?
Nature’s Brand natural sunscreen is better for people who are looking to eliminate that white residue that other similar products leave when applied. It is designed in three shades, suitable for face and body. Great for babies.
Pros
- Cruelty-free vegan formula.
- Available in three shades.
- Four different bottle sizes.
- Sample available for purchase.
- Good for body and face.
Cons
- Not very moisturizing on dry skin.
Derma E
- Key ingredients: green tea leaf extract, cucumber fruit extract, carrot root extract
- Product quantity: 4 oz.
- SPF: 30
You know how you sometimes use skincare products that, while efficient, leave a greasy residue on the skin? They make your skin all shiny, but not in that good and glowing way, but mostly in that greasy and sweaty way? This is where the Derma E sunscreen comes into play.
The lightweight formula of this all-natural sunscreen for body, face, and hands is quickly absorbed by your skin, giving it a soft glow, but without the greasy appearance so you’re not left with an oily face. It features natural ingredients, such as cucumber water and aloe vera extract, both highly efficient in skin moisturizing and good for refreshing your entire body. The mix of ingredients is also suitable for people who have highly sensitive skin.
Who Should Purchase This?
If you have oily skin and acne, you want to avoid products that are rich in oils and heavy formulas that aren’t rapidly absorbed by your skin. With this Derma E sunscreen, you have a non-chemical, lightweight formula that’s designed to leave your skin fresh and glowing. It’s also great for people who have acne-prone skin and sensitive skin, even for rosacea. For more information, check out our derma e sunscreen review.
Pros
- Lightweight non-greasy recipe.
- Good for oily skin.
- Good for sensitive skin.
- Quick skin absorption.
- Cruelty-free vegan formula.
Cons
- Contains octinoxate.
Bottom Line
When you’re out looking for natural sunscreen, there are plenty of different brands to choose from, which makes shopping a lot more difficult than it has to be. Regardless of which brand you choose or if you opt for natural or conventional sunscreen, the most important rule is to never leave the house without applying some sort of sunscreen. And if you’re more a DIY type, then check out our natural sunscreen recipe.
People should know that skin cancer numbers are rising at an alarming rate, which is a shame because when it’s induced by UV radiation, it can easily be avoided with a product as simple as a sunscreen.