Sunscreen is arguably the most important thing to keep with you during sunny days (and really all year round) but not all sunscreens are safe for the environment. Many of them contain harsh chemicals that can damage your skin and ocean life when you wear it at the beach.
While a lot of sunscreens have negative effects, the good news is that there’s also several brands that make sustainable options that won’t harm marine environments. Here are a few brands that you can use for guilt-free protection from the sun.
What makes them sustainable: Supergoop’s sunscreens are cruelty-free, made without harsh chemicals, and reef-safe so you can wear them at the beach. Their products boxes and shipping contents are also 100% recyclable and they donate SPF to schools across the US.
Best for: Anyone and anything- Supergoop has a wide variety of sunscreens for kids, babies, and adults.
What makes them sustainable: Kinship’s SPF is vegan and cruelty-free, safe for coral reefs, and formulated with clean ingredients. The tube and cap are made of 30% post-consumer recycled plastic and all shipping materials are FSC-certified and recycled.
Best for: Blemish-prone skin- If you have sensitive skin or are prone to breakouts, Kinship will work well for you.
What makes them sustainable: Raw Element’s sunscreens are cruelty-free, reef-safe, and biodegradable which means they will naturally breakdown without leaving remnants of harsh chemicals behind.
The majority of their packaging is recyclable or plastic-free and they have a goal of being completely plastic-free in the future. Raw Elements is also apart of 1% for the planet, an organization that donates 1% of all profits to environmental causes.
Best For: Plastic-free options- Raw Elements has plastic-free and compostable containers available for people who choose to avoid plastic waste.
What makes them sustainable: Hello Bello’s mineral and plant-based sunscreen is reef-friendly, cruelty-free, and vegan. Its also made without harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrance, and common allergens which makes it a great choice for children or adults with sensitive skin.
Best For: Children and infants- While Hello Bello’s SPF can be used by adults, their gentle formula is especially beneficial for kids and babies.
What makes them sustainable: Unicorn Snot’s sunscreen is made with bioglitter that degrades in water after 28 days and the micas they use are ethically sourced. The formula is also vegan, cruelty-free, and conforms to the reef-safe standards set by the State of Hawaii.
Best For: Music festivals and outdoor concerts- For sunscreen with an extra pop Unicorn Snot is perfect and adds sparkle to any look.
What makes them sustainable: Bioclarity’s facial and body sunscreens are plant-based, cruelty-free, and safe for coral reefs. Their ingredients are also non-toxic and free from synthetic fragrances so they won’t cause your skin to break out.
Every Bioclarity shipment box is made from 100% recycled board printed with water-based ink, and the SPF bottles can be recycled as well.
Best For: Everyday use- Bioclarity SPF can be used everyday on its own or under makeup.
I hope you’ll choose one of these sustainable sunscreens the next time you’re shopping for SPF, and if you’ve tried any of these brands out let me know which ones you like in the comments. Thanks for reading, have a lovely day!
Almost Eco-Friendly 