When it comes to sunscreen, finding an eco friendly option is not only better for the environment, but it’s better for your health too. Many popular sun creams often contains chemicals in them which contribute to coral bleaching and can damage the DNA of the corals and fish in the ocean.
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Sunscreen is something that we should ideally be applying everyday, even through windows and clouds you can still absorb some of the UV light. Of course, as many people know now, having too much exposure to the sun – especially in hot weather and even in the snow, can cause sun burn and sometimes lead to cancer too, which is where the sunscreen comes into play.
Luckily, most places around the globe have the ozone layer to protect us from UVC so we don’t have to worry about its effects. Although, if you’re in Australia, make sure you take extra care when out in the sun because a large portion of the ozone layer is missing – so broad factor sunscreen is a must.
What is considered an eco friendly sunscreen?
An alternative option to chemical sunscreen is becoming more readily available now, which is reef safe sunscreen! Many of these reef safe sunscreens are mineral based, which means they don’t contain chemicals like oxybenzone or octinoxate (an organic filter) which are the main chemicals that can cause reef and coral bleaching. Mineral based sunscreens are made of either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which sit on top of your skin like a shield, whereas chemical based sunscreens with the organic filters sink into your skin and pores, absorbing the UV light.
Why is a broad spectrum sunscreen important
Broad spectrum sunscreen essentially means that it protects you from both UVA and UVB light. If a sunscreen isn’t labelled as broad spectrum, then that means it won’t protect you from UVA light.
UVA light is what makes up the majority of the UV rays that hit the earth, and they can pass through your windows and the clouds, while UVB light is mainly absorbed through the ozone layer and are also what produces vitamin D in the skin. Both UVA and UVB light can be harmful if exposed in the sun for too long, causing thing like freckles, premature aging, wrinkles, and even skin cancer. Making sure you use a broad spectrum sunscreen means that you’ll have the best protection against both UV rays.
What does SPF and Non-nano mean?
SPF or sun protection factor, is essentially how much protection you’ll receive from UVB rays – and it’s important to remember that SPF doesn’t protect you from UVA rays. The best way to protect yourself from both UVB and UVA rays is to use a broad spectrum sunscreen that’s SPF 30 or above.
The different between how much protection you get from SPF 30 and 50 isn’t all that different either. SPF 30 will protect you from around 97% of UVB rays, while SPF 50 is only 1% higher protection of 98% UVB rays.
When looking at reef safe sunscreens, they’ll often be mineral sunscreens because they don’t bleach corals. One thing to note about mineral sunscreens or mineral filters is that the tiny mineral particles (known as nano-particles) can make sea creatures more susceptible to harm from other contaminants. So when looking at eco friendly sunscreens, you’ll often see the term non-nano, which means that they won’t harm marine wildlife.
What about zero waste sunscreen?
When it comes to these kind of products, I think it definitely better to prioritise your health over what the packaging is made from. Of course trying to find an eco friendly sunscreen that is completely recyclable or plastic free is amazing, but finding one that’s better for the environment and your skin is definitely a must.
That being said, there are many brands these days that are starting to be more conscious as to what their packaging is made of! You’re now more likely to find products packaged in aluminium, glass, or even paper tubes, as well as sugarcane materials and plastics that can be recycled with Terracycle.
If you’re interested in more eco friendly cosmetics, make sure you check out my guide to sustainable toiletries!
Upcircle
If you’re looking for a plastic free and refillable facial SPF moisturiser, then Upcircle is definitely the place to check out. Made using upcycled raspberry seeds and aloe, it’s high in Vitamin A and E, their Mineral SPF is great to try out for your new day cream – or you could even get their travel sized jar to try out first!
Broad spectrum Yes
SPF rating 25
Certifications Leaping Bunny – Cruelty Free, Certified B Corp
Vegan and cruelty free Yes
Packaging Glass jar with an aluminium lid – also refillable
UV ingredients Zinc oxide (non-nano)
Where is it available The UK, Europe, and the US
Price range £27.50 or £22 as a refill, £15 for travel sized
Scence
This completely plastic free British based brand not only made their Sunscreen packaged in a paper tube, but they also make an Aftersun body moisturiser and a SPF 30 lip balm too!
Broad spectrum Yes
SPF rating 30
Certifications The Vegan Society
Vegan and cruelty free Yes
Packaging Paper tube
UV ingredients Zinc oxide (non-nano)
Where is it available The UK and Europe
Price range Sunscreen – £21, Aftersun – £12, Lipbalm – £10
Shade
Shade sunscreen is not only super simple – being made up of just four ingredients, but it’s also packaged in a reusable metal tin too! It’s not vegan as it contains sustainable beeswax, but their all natural sunscreen is still broad spectrum to protect you from UVA and UVB rays.
Broad spectrum Yes
SPF rating 25
Certifications None yet
Vegan and cruelty free Not vegan but is cruelty free (they contain beeswax)
Packaging Metal tin
UV ingredients Zinc oxide (non-nano)
Where is it available In the UK and Europe (as RoKai)
Price range £3.75 for 15ml, or £9.95 for 100ml
Amazinc!
This Czech skincare brand has a wide range of suncare products in a few different forms – a solid stick, a liquid cream, or as a body butter. Not all of their products are vegan (as some contain beeswax) but they’re all clearly labelled! They’re also plastic free, with their packing in either aluminium tins or bottles, and cardboard tubes.
Amazinc! is also almond oil based, so please keep this in mind if you have a nut allergy!
Broad spectrum Yes
SPF rating 15, 30, and 50
Certifications None yet
Vegan and cruelty free Yes and no – some of their products contain beeswax
Packaging Aluminium and cardboard
UV ingredients Zinc oxide (non-nano) and magnesium oxide
Where is it available The UK and Europe
Price range €12 – €27
Green people
Green people are completely cruelty free and organic, as well as being vegetarian too. Not all of their sunscreens are vegan (as some contain beeswax) but their Children’s scent free sun cream and their SPF 30 facial sun cream are both suitable for vegans.
Broad spectrum Yes
SPF rating 15 and 30
Certifications Soil Association Organic, The Vegan Society
Vegan and cruelty free Yes and no – some of their products contain beeswax, but are all cruelty free and clearly marked
Packaging Sugarcane PE and PP plastic caps
UV ingredients Zinc oxide (non-nano) and titanium dioxide (non-nano)
Where is it available The UK, Australia and some of Europe
Price range £19 – £29
Odylique
Another certified organic brand to check out is Odylique. All of their products are cruelty free, fair trade, as well as being gluten free too!
Broad spectrum Yes
SPF rating 30
Certifications Soil Association Organic, Peta Cruelty Free
Vegan and cruelty free Yes
Packaging Glass jar with aluminium lid
UV ingredients Zinc oxide (non-nano)
Where is it available The UK, France, Italy, Denmark, and The USA (they do also ship internationally from their UK site)
Price range £15 for 50ml or £25 for 100ml
Sukin
This Australian based brand is bursting with natural ingredients, and with every purchase made they plant a tree with Trees For The Future! Their sunscreen is SPF 30 and is available as either untinted or with a light medium tint in 60ml tubes.
Broad spectrum Yes
SPF rating 30
Certifications Cruelty free
Vegan and cruelty free Yes
Packaging Fully recyclable plastic
UV ingredients Zinc oxide (non-nano)
Where is it available Worldwide
Price range $19
Organii
If you’re looking for a high factor sunscreen then you should definitely check out Organii! Their SPF 50 Sun Milk is also suitable for the whole family – including babies! They also do an Anti-Aging facial sunscreen that’s SPF 15.
Broad spectrum Yes
SPF rating 15 and 50
Certifications Soil Association Organic, Peta Cruelty Free, The Vegan Society
Vegan and cruelty free Yes
Packaging 95% recyclable plastic
UV ingredients zinc oxide (non-nano) and titanium dioxide (non-nano)
Where is it available The UK
Price range £17 for the Facial sun cream, and £28 for the Sun milk
Suntribe
This Swedish sunscreen brand has a wide range of different sunscreens, including sports and facial creams. They have multiple different types of eco conscious packaging, such as metal tins, paper tubes, and sugarcane plastic.
Broad spectrum Yes
SPF rating 20, 30, and 50
Certifications Soil Association Organic
Vegan and cruelty free They are cruelty free but some of their sunscreens contain beeswax (not vegan)
Packaging Paper tubes, metal tins and sugarcane plastic
UV ingredients Zinc oxide (non-nano)
Where is it available Worldwide
Price range between £14 and £20
Badger
Badger uses over 95% organic ingredients, as well as organic beeswax. They have a few different sport sunscreens, as well as kids sunscreen that go up to SPF 40 and 50, and is water resistant for 80 minutes.
Broad spectrum Yes
SPF rating 30, 35, 40, and 50
Certifications Leaping Bunny, Certified B Corp
Vegan and cruelty free They are cruelty free but they contain beeswax (and apparently a whey derivative in the sunscreen lotions)
Packaging Plastic bottles are 50% PCR (post consumer recycled plastics), metal tins, and plastic tubes
UV ingredients Zinc oxide (non-nano)
Where is it available The US, Canada, The UK, Germany, Asia, and Australia
Price range $12 – $18
Coola
Whether you’re after a sunscreen spray, stick, lotion, or even a lip balm, Coola has you covered. With their wide range of different sunscreen products, it can be hard to pick just one!
Broad spectrum Yes
SPF rating 30, 50, and 70
Certifications Eco-Cert COSMOS
Vegan and cruelty free Yes
Packaging Glass bottles, aluminium sprays, and plastic tubes
UV ingredients Zinc oxide (non-nano) in mineral sunscreens. Avobenzone, Octisalate, and Octocrylene in their regular sunscreens
Where is it available The US and the UK
Price range $10 – $40
Stream2Sea
Stream2Sea has a dozen different mineral sunscreen options to choose from, including Active sunscreen, Tinted sunscreen, SPF lip balms and sunscreens sticks! Their sunscreen sticks also come in blue and pink colours, which is a great idea to check out if you have kids too!
Broad spectrum Yes
SPF rating 20, 30, 35, and 45
Certifications Protect Land + Sea Certified
Vegan and cruelty free Yes
Packaging PCR plastic and sugarcane resin
UV ingredients Zinc oxide (non-nano) and titanium dioxide (non-nano)
Where is it available The US
Price range Lip balms – $6, Sticks – $15, Tubes – $28
Sun bum
Sun bum has both Mineral sunscreen and their Original sunscreen depending on what you’re after – their Original sunscreen does have a wider range of SPF (15 and 70) and comes as a lotion as well as creams and sprays. They also make SPF lip balms in a wide range of different flavours (I have mango!) to make sure you don’t get burnt lips too!
Broad spectrum Yes
SPF rating 15, 30, 50, 70
Certifications Leaping Bunny, Peta Cruelty Free
Vegan and cruelty free Yes – but some of their lip balms contain beeswax
Packaging Plastic and aluminium
UV ingredients Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (in the Mineral sunscreen), Homosalate, Octocrylene, Octisalate, Avobenzone (in the Original sunscreen)
Where is it available The US, The UK, Australia, and Canada
Price range $12 – $21
These are just a few of many different sunscreen options, but I hope they help give you plenty of places to check when you’re ready for your next holiday! Which is your favourite sunscreen brand? Let me know!
Looking for more sustainable ideas? Check out my other posts!
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