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Whether you’re swapping winter layers for skin-baring shirts or live in year-round warmth and sunshine, it’s important to protect your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays with sun protection factor (SPF) sunscreen. While many sunscreen products on the market are created with chemicals that are potentially harmful to humans and the environment, natural sunscreen options use one of two natural ingredients approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
With a wide range of natural sunscreen products available online and in stores, it can be tough to decide which is the best pick . To assist you in finding the best natural sunscreens of 2022, the Forbes Health editorial team analyzed data on more than 50 products, evaluating them based on price, ingredients, SPF and more. Read ahead to discover which natural sunscreens made our list for the ultimate sun protection.
Note: Prices listed are accurate as of the publication date.
Banana Boat Sport Mineral Lotion SPF 50+ is meant for people on the move. This sunscreen offers a high endurance versus sweat ratio, meaning it won’t wear off when you sweat, according to the company. With a 100% mineral composition, it’s perfect for sensitive skin and free of potentially harmful chemicals, such as oxybenzone, parabens and phthalates—earning it a National Eczema Association seal of acceptance.
This sunscreen from Banana Boat Sensitive is formulated with naturally sourced zinc, is hypoallergenic and has a National Eczema Association seal of acceptance, making it our pick for users with sensitive skin. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the only active ingredients you’ll find on this sunscreen’s ingredients list, and it contains no added oils or fragrances. This Banana Boat option is noted for easy application, according to one customer review, and it comes recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Although more expensive than other natural sunscreen options on our list, this formula is hypoallergenic and rated number one in safety by the Environment Working Group (EWG). Geared toward babies but suitable for the entire family, it’s made from 100% mineral zinc for broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection. It seems to be popular with customers, too, as 81% of more than 2,000 reviewers on Amazon gave Babo Botanical Baby Skin Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 a 5-star review.
Banana Boat Kids Mineral Lotion SPF 50+ is our top pediatrician-tested pick for protecting the extra-sensitive skin of young children. Many reviewers on Amazon attest to its effectiveness at shielding their little ones from sunburns, giving it 5-star reviews in spite of the white residue it might leave behind. This pick is also deemed “reef friendly,” thanks to its exclusion of chemicals that put sensitive coral reef ecosystems at risk, according to the company.
If you’re looking for an easy-to-apply natural sunscreen that dries clear, Blue Lizard Sport Mineral Sunscreen Spray SPF 50+ could be a good fit. With an earth-conscious propellant and no fragrances, phthalates, gluten or alcohol, this product is convenient and great for sensitive skin. It’s also sweat- and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so no need to worry about reapplying after every dip.
If the name “Goddess Gardens” isn’t enough to intrigue you, the features of this Climate Pledge Friendly, biodegradable and USDA Organic mineral sunscreen spray might. This sunscreen is ultra sheer, easy to apply and has a dry-touch feel, according to the company, meaning it won’t leave you feeling slimy or sticky. It’s also made with skin-nourishing ingredients like coconut oil, aloe vera and lavender to soothe skin. The company even offers tips for best application, including beginning with moisturized skin and applying to small areas at a time.
Banana Boat Sensitive 100% Mineral Face Lotion SPF 50+ isn’t just for days at the beach. Formulated with naturally sourced zinc, this lotion is hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores. With the skin on the face being one of the most sensitive areas on the body, this extra layer of gentle yet powerful broad spectrum sunscreen offers an option for daily UV protection.
This facial sunscreen seems to check all the boxes for healthy skin. Not only does it have the requisite broad spectrum UVA and UVB natural mineral protection of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, but it also contains skin-nourishing moisturizers like shea butter and hyaluronic acid, as well as antioxidants. It can also be used under makeup, making it a good option for daily wear, and it contains age-defying ingredients, according to the company.
If you’re looking for a lightly scented spray sunscreen that’s s suitable for sensitive skin, this coconut-infused broad spectrum spray might be for you. (Fragrance-free is also an option.) Made by sun lovers based in Florida and California, Sun Bum touts its passion for delivering safe sun protection that works.. This mineral SPF spray is also chemical-free and lightweight, and it goes on with a silky feel, according to the company.
To determine the best natural sunscreens of 2022, the Forbes Health editorial team evaluated more than 50 natural sunscreen products across the market. Product rankings were determined solely by the editorial team and based on a variety of different factors, including:
Natural sunscreen, also known as physical sunscreen, uses minerals ground into fine powders rather than chemicals to provide protection from the sun’s UV rays. Currently, the FDA has approved two minerals for UV protection—zinc oxide and titanium dioxide—which are generally recognized as safe and effective in over-the-counter natural sunscreens.
“Just like cigarette smoke, UV sunlight is a known carcinogen (something that causes cancer),” says Emmy Graber, M.D., founder and president of the Dermatology Institute of Boston. “Protecting yourself from UV light can prevent skin cancer.” The sun emits two types of UV rays: ultraviolet A (UVA), which is associated with premature skin aging like wrinkles, and ultraviolet B (UVB), which is associated with sunburn. UVA makes up 95% of the UV rays that reach the earth’s surface. A natural mineral sunscreen should be broad spectrum, meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
Zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide, the active mineral ingredients in natural sunscreen, act as barriers on top of the skin that reflect UVA and UVB light, which is why mineral sunscreens can sometimes leave a white film on the skin after application. Natural sunscreens can also be greasy or thick, depending on the formula. For this reason, Dr. Graber encourages her patients to try several natural sunscreens. “The best sunscreen is one that you will use,” she adds. “Try lots of sunscreens to find one that feels comfortable on your skin so that you will use it regularly and frequently.”
Many natural sunscreens include additional ingredients, such as antioxidants—natural or man-made substances that help protect against cell damage—like vitamin C, vitamin E and green tea polyphenols, to further protect against the effects of sun exposure.
Most natural sunscreen products are sweat- and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, and the FDA recommends applying sunscreen at least every two hours (or more frequently if you’re jumping in and out of water or toweling off).
While natural sunscreen acts like a shield on top of your skin, chemical sunscreen is absorbed by the skin and, in turn, absorbs UV radiation before it penetrates deeper, converting the rays into heat that is then released through the skin.
Research shows certain ingredients in some chemical sunscreens, including oxybenzone and octinoxate, pose potential health and environmental risks, such as endocrine system disruption in humans and degradation of coral reefs. Multiple locations, including Aruba and the U.S. Virgin Islands, ban the sale of oxybenzone-containing products because of potential harm to aquatic life.
While common ingredients in chemical sunscreens are deemed safe and effective by the FDA in certain amounts and more options for chemical sunscreen made without oxybenzone and octinoxate are reaching the market, research regarding potential human health risks posed by the absorption of these chemicals into the bloodstream is ongoing.
Chemical sunscreens tend to cause more irritation, such as contact dermatitis, in people with sensitive skin. However, because they absorb more quickly, they may feel less heavy or greasy than mineral sunscreens.
“Some people are allergic to certain ingredients in sunscreen, and those individuals should avoid chemical sunscreens,” adds Dr. Graber.
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UV radiation damages DNA and causes genetic mutations that lead to skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (which often develop where the skin is frequently exposed to sun like on the face and top of the head). Melanoma, the most dangerous of the three most common types of skin cancer, can be linked with sunburns.
Broad spectrum sunscreen protects against both UVB rays that cause sunburns (and subsequent damage to the DNA in our skin cells) and UVA rays that lead to premature signs of aging. When applied frequently and as directed, sunscreen can protect against harmful UV rays, decreasing the risk of certain cancers and premature signs of aging.
There are several important factors to consider when deciding if a natural sunscreen is right for you and your family.
If you or your family have any allergies to ingredients in chemical sunscreen, a natural sunscreen can provide a good alternative. Currently, the FDA has approved two active ingredients for natural sun protection, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. The sunscreen you choose should list either one or both of these as the active ingredients on the product label. However, if other active ingredients are listed, it’s likely the sunscreen in question has a combination of chemicals and minerals.
If you’re gearing up for long days at the beach or playing sports in the sun, choosing a natural sunscreen that is sweat- and water-resistant is crucial, as is reapplying frequently. Because natural sunscreen sits on top of the skin as a barrier to reflect UV radiation away from the skin, it’s important to reapply after rubbing off with a towel, even if it’s within the time frame the product is considered water resistant.
Outdoor fun isn’t the only time to think about applying sunscreen, however. UVA rays penetrate clouds and even glass, so if you work in a sunny office space or frequently go from indoors to outdoors, consider using a broad spectrum sunscreen for daily facial wear.
If you know you have sensitive skin or are purchasing a product for babies or children, a natural sunscreen can offer sun protection with fewer ingredients and risks of reaction. Look for a natural sunscreen labeled as hypoallergenic and appropriate for sensitive skin. Additionally, when it comes to facial sunscreens, selecting a product that is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores, can help avoid breakouts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend sunscreen use on infants younger than 6 months.
Skin type plays a role in the amount and type of sunscreen you need to use, as people with fair skin typically absorb more solar energy compared to people with darker skin tones, according to the FDA. SPF refers to how much UV radiation is required to produce sunburn on sunscreen-protected skin versus skin without sunscreen. For example, a person wearing SPF 15 sunscreen will take 15 times longer to burn than someone wearing no sunscreen at all. When it comes to mineral sunscreens, higher SPFs mean higher concentrations of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which can lead to thicker layers of white lotion on the skin.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that SPF measurement doesn’t equate solely to the amount of time spent in the sun—it’s also dependent on the strength of UV rays at that time, according to the FDA. For example, sun exposure in the early morning is different from sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is strongest.
Beyond sunscreen, sun protection routines should include additional measures, such as wearing protective clothing, hats and sunglasses and avoiding direct sunlight when UV radiation is strongest. And as you prepare for time outside, be sure to follow product instructions regarding application and how frequently to reapply sunscreen. Compare Best Natural Sunscreens
The CDC recommends wearing a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 every day—even on cloudy days or in the winter months. Remember to reapply at least every two hours—or more frequently if you are swimming, sweating or toweling off frequently.
Yes, the FDA recommends using sunscreen year-round, even on gray winter days, as UV rays can still damage your skin through cloud cover and when temperatures are cool. What’s more, water, snow and ice can reflect up to 80% of UV rays, according to the Skin Cancer Association, meaning the radiation can actually hit your skin twice. And if you enjoy winter sports, UV radiation is stronger at higher altitudes where the atmosphere is thinner and absorbs fewer of the sun’s rays, such as on ski slopes, increasing the need for sunscreen.
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Meaghan is an editor and writer who also has experience practicing holistic medicine as an acupuncturist and herbalist. She's passionate about helping individuals live full, healthy and happy lives at every age. Outside of writing and editing for Forbes Health, Meaghan loves practicing yoga, reading and spending time with her family near the ocean in her home state of Maine.
Jessica is a writer, editor and media professional who has spent her career working with some of the most influential names in media. Prior to joining Forbes Health, Jessica was the manager of creative communications at Hearst, where she specialized in high-level production and project management. As a freelance writer, Jessica has written across a range of topics, including entertainment, travel and career. Her work can be found in Variety, Paste Magazine, The Muse and on her personal website (jessicamlester.com).