Skip to main content

BlissMark may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

These clean sunscreen brands are best at protecting your skin from sun damage

It can be challenging to find sunscreen brands that not only protect your skin from sun damage but also protect the environment. Unfortunately, many sunscreen brands include chemical ingredients that are harsh on your skin and detrimental to the ecosystem, especially to the ocean and its coral reefs.

So what are the best clean sunscreen brands? Where can you find them? And how do you know what ingredients to avoid when making your selection? This guide will answer all of your clean sunscreen questions and help you choose the brand that best suits your needs.

Related Videos
woman applying sunscreen to her skin at the beach
HQuality/Shutterstock

What ingredients to look for when buying clean sunscreen

When purchasing clean sunscreens, it’s important to look into the details of the ingredient list. There are several chemicals to avoid, including oxybenzone, octinate, avobenzone, cyclopentasiloxane, microbeads, parabens, and phthalates. Many of these can be irritants, especially for sensitive skin. Further, if you swim in the ocean with these chemicals on your skin, they can seep into the water, disrupting the natural processes.

If you’re looking for clean chemicals, aim for sunscreens that include ingredients such as aloe, bromelain, calendula, cinnamidopropyltrimonium chloride (UV absorbent), coconut oil, and titanium dioxide (non-nano)

Many clean sunscreens use plant extracts and minerals that absorb or deflect UV light and offer natural protection for your skin.

Oxybenzone and octinoxate free sunscreen

Oxybenzone also referred to as benzophenone-3, is a common ingredient in many FDA-approved sunscreens because this chemical is great at penetrating the skin and offers strong UV protection. However, it is classified as an eye irritant and is hazardous for direct skin contact. Additionally, this ingredient is a common cause of coral bleaching when millions of people descend on the beaches coated in a chemical sunscreen.

Octinoxate, also known as octyl methoxycinnamate, is another FDA approved ingredient in sunscreens. It filters UV light and protects the skin from sun damage; however, but early studies suggest the chemical invades the inner organ systems, and traces have been found in urine and breast milk. Similar to oxybenzone, it is also a known chemical for coral bleaching.

Below are some clean sunscreen brands that are all-natural and protect you from harmful sun damage.

person squeezing sunscreen tube in their hands
yurakrasil/Shutterstock

Goddess Garden

Goddess Garden creates powerful UV protecting sunscreen, specializing in sensitive skin sunscreen and products safe for children. This company offers sunscreens up to SPF 50, so it’s perfect for people prone to sunburns. 

Some of the main ingredients include titanium dioxide (non-nano) and zinc oxide (non-nano). Zinc oxide pairs well with the natural zinc found in your body and the environment to deflect UV rays away from your skin.

Goddess Garden is also reef safe and environmentally friendly.

Stream2Sea sunscreen

Sream2Sea is one of the biggest names in clean sunscreen. This company informs its audience about harmful ingredients in sunscreen and offers clean, natural solutions for many sun-loving folks. Stream2Sea also advocates for protecting the coral reefs from bleaching and uses ingredients that will not harm you or the environment.

These sunscreens include titanium dioxide (non-nano), water, green tea extracts, wakame seaweed, aloe extract, and other natural plant-based ingredients. The products are only available from SPF 20 to 30, so they are not best for people who are prone to burning. However, if your skin is perfectly protected by SPF 20 or 30,  consider making the switch to Stream2Sea!

All Good Sport Mineral sunscreen

All Good mineral sunscreen is a sunscreen brand that aims to create family-friendly sunscreen. This sunscreen is kid-safe and non-detrimental to coral reefs. A few main ingredients include non-nano zinc oxide, aloe, calendula, safflower seed oil, sunflower oil, and other natural plant extracts.

The sunscreen sprays and lotions range between SPF 20 to SPF 50 and are safe for sensitive skin. You can rest assured that there won’t be any irritations or allergies to their products.

Disclaimer: BlissMark provides information regarding health, wellness, and beauty. The information within this article is not intended to be medical advice. Before starting any diet or exercise routine, consult your physician. If you don’t have a primary care physician, the United States Health & Human Services department has a free online tool that can help you locate a clinic in your area. We are not medical professionals, have not verified or vetted any programs, and in no way intend our content to be anything more than informative and inspiring.

Editors' Recommendations

Beauty products for your personal needs
the best face oil for glowing skin

Sometimes it is hard for people to dedicate time to pamper their bodies. Sometimes showering and taking a bath is not enough to keep your body pampered. It requires time and effort. Such as waxing your legs, clipping your nails, and cleaning your teeth. Do you know that plaque can build up around your teeth? Do you also know that your nails can grow in, which usually happens with your toes? The body does not only need to bathe but to keep the nails and teeth well kept. It is also great for the face to wash it daily and moisturize it daily.

You need certain items to pamper your body, and it keeps well-kept besides bathing it. Sometimes your skin needs to heal or be moisturized. Your nails need to be cut constantly to avoid any possibilities of usually a painful ingrown toenail or ingrown fingernail. It is the same way how to handle your teeth with extra care. There is something called plaque that builds up around your teeth. Plaque can give you the possibility of bleeding gums and tooth decay, which results in a toothache. Dental flaws and a dental tool that removes plaque will help you prevent having gum diseases and tooth decay.

Read more
Tools to take care of your nails
White painted nails with a coffee and leaves in the background.

Your nails tell you how healthy your body is. You want to make sure to clip your fingernails and toenails to prevent issues with ingrown nails or bacteria getting underneath your nails. When it comes to your toenails, it is easy to forget to cut them. It is also easy to get fungi within your nail, which can be just as painful as an ingrown toenail. Some items can help you take care of your nails and accomplish your manicure goals. Some items can help you get rid of the ingrown toenail that can be painful for you to walk on.

You are a busy person, and it is hard to take care of yourself. It is even for you to have time to clip your fingernails and toenails. You want to dedicate a day that focuses on you. You want to dedicate a day to wearing face masks, pedicures, manicures, and bubble baths. You could be someone who suffers from an ingrown toenail. Do you know that there are tools for you to get rid of that ingrown toenail? You can get the items to remove your ingrown toenail and no longer have to deal with the constant pain anymore.

Read more
Beauty items for your eyebrows
black beauty brands

Many people have their idea of beauty when comes to hair. Some people prefer facial hair, bushy eyebrows, and thin eyebrows. You are one of the people who prefer not to have the few thick strands of hair on your chin. You might feel a bit uncomfortable seeing a unibrow slowly forming. You tried everything to get rid of your random thick chin hairs and shape your eyebrows. You tried hair removal cream, you tried wax strips, and you even tried an electric razor. None of these three items worked out for you. That is why tweezers are for you.

The five items listed above are the five types of tweezers. You have sensitive skin that makes it hard to find the perfect thing to reshape your eyebrows or remove hair from your face. The hair remover cream leaves a burn on your face, and it did not remove the hair. You tried wax strips, but it just left your skin with a sting. That is why tweezers are guaranteed to pluck away those stubborn hairs. You can have control how your eyebrow looks and reshape it whatever style seems to fit you. The tweezers are perfect for people with sensitive skin.

Read more