When it comes to sun protection, not all sunscreens are created equal. As devotees of clean beauty, and our beautiful planet, oceans and coral reefs, look to natural sunscreen alternatives formulated with skin-enhancing, hydrating, antioxidant, protective ingredients that create a barrier on the skin’s surface to deflect the sun’s harmful rays, while nourishing your complexion.
Add these natural sunscreen alternatives to your beach bag
Vegan Sunscreen: Coola Mineral Face SPF30
A travel insider turned us on to this vegan, organic sunscreen – after road testing products to protect her daughter’s ultra-sensitive skin. The matte formula applies more like a luxurious moisturizer, is a great make-up primer and it’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
Natural ingredients: Infused with zinc oxide, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and coconut oil.
Mineral Sunscreen: Blue Lizard Face Mineral-Based Sunscreen SPF 30
If anyone knows the secret of protecting against the sun’s damaging rays it’s our friends down under. This Aussie-born, lightweight mineral gel sunscreen earned the trust of dermatologists there, before making its way stateside. Featuring smart-bottle technology, the bottles and caps change blue when exposed to harmful UV rays, reminding us to reapply. Genius
Natural ingredients: Zinc oxide, green tea, and beeswax
Antioxidant Sunscreen: Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense SPF 30
Sun protection with an inbuilt healthy glow, this lightweight, easy to apply, natural SPF30 has you covered. Packed with a super hydrating, antioxidant-rich ingredient cocktail, don’t travel anywhere without it. We also love that this cruelty-free brand supports the International Elephant Foundation.
Natural ingredients: Zinc oxide, algae extract, soothing aloe vera, moisturizing jojoba, marula, and raspberry seed oils.
Mineral Sunscreen: EleVen by Venus Williams On-The-Defense Sunscreen SPF 30
Tennis legend Venus Williams has spent her career under the harsh glare of the sun, and frustrated by the sunscreens on the market, she created her own SPF 30 that would hold up on the court, while nourishing her skin. The mineral formula does just that while doubling as a lightweight moisturizer with a dewy sheen finish.
Natural ingredients: Zinc oxide, coconut, safflower, and prickly pear.
Herbal Sunscreen: Naturopathica Lavender Protective Moisturizer with SPF
This daily moisturizer is kind to skin and coral. Naturopathica founder Barbara Close created her brand on the belief that herbalism, naturopathic medicine, and holistic wellness, coupled with science is the winning formula and this nourishing moisturizer with turmeric to prevent sun spots is proof of that.
Natural ingredients: Micronized zinc oxide, turmeric root, and lavender.
Brush-on Sunscreen: Tarte Sea Set & Protect Mineral Sunscreen Powder Broad Spectrum SPF 30
For on-the-go protection, nothing beats this translucent, vegan brush-on powder. The application is smooth without any chalkiness and the subtle aroma of vanilla is delicious. It’s also great for touch-ups throughout the day and will set your makeup for up to 12 hours.
Natural ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, vanilla
Mineral Sunscreen: SuperGoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
SuperGoop was among the first to create an SPF without harmful-to-skin-and-oceans oxybenzone. Now our go-to brand for reef-safe, cruelty-free products wrapped in environmentally friendly packaging, as its name suggests, this weightless, scentless sunscreen is completely invisible, except for its velvety finish, which is also the perfect make-up primer.
Natural ingredients: Red algae, frankincense and complex derived from meadowfoam seed.
Mineral Sunscreen: BeautyCounter Countersunk Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF30
The zingy tangerine and lemon scent is reason enough to love this hydrating, lightweight formula, but it’s the highly effective protectiveness against UVA, UVB, and blue light that seals the deal. Infused with antioxidants and aloe vera, it sinks wondrously into the skin and is gentle enough for the most sensitive skins, even babies.
Natural ingredients: zinc oxide and antioxidant-rich California poppy.
COVER-UP:
Sunscreen isn’t the sole holy grail to protecting yourself from the sun’s harsh rays and you don’t have to be poolside or beachfront to be exposed. That said, add these essentials to your summer beach bag: wide brim floppy hat, chic cover-up, sexy oversized shades, and a beach umbrella.
