Best clean and non-toxic sunscreens (for babies, kids & adults)

When the sun comes out and we start spending more time outside, I want to reach for a clean sunscreen I actually feel safe putting on my kids and on sensitive skin. But sorting through long ingredient lists of words you can't pronounce? Overwhelming. This guide cuts through all of it so you can shop with confidence — for yourself, your kids, and the planet.

Before we get into all the details, here's our top non-toxic sunscreen picks at a glance:

• Badger
• All Good
• Earth Mama

Why should I use safe and non-toxic sunscreen?

Many people don't realize that the ingredients in standard sunscreens can be hazardous — in some cases, more harmful than the occasional sunburn.

Chemical-based sunscreens contain ingredients like oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, and avobenzone, which are absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream at concentrations higher than the FDA's safety threshold. These chemicals disrupt hormones, trigger allergic reactions, and have been linked to cancer. They're also devastating to the environment — bleaching coral reefs, impairing algae growth, and accumulating in the tissues of fish, dolphins, mussels, and other marine life, causing birth defects and immune damage.

Mineral vs. chemical-based sunscreens

Let's keep this simple. There are only two ingredients classified as safe and effective sun-blocking agents by the FDA: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

When picking a non-toxic sunscreen, check the active ingredients:

• ✅ Zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide — you're good to go
• ❌ Anything else as an active ingredient — avoid it

These minerals are safe for your skin, your bloodstream, and the ocean. Once you've confirmed the active ingredients, also scan for phthalates and parabens, which are often hidden inside the catch-all ingredient "fragrance."

For deeper research, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has tracked chemical safety since 1993 and maintains a free database you can search by product or ingredient. Everything on this list is either EWG-certified or ranks highly by their standards.

The best safe & non-toxic sunscreen options for babies, kids, and adults

If reading the above is already giving you a headache, don't worry. We've researched non-toxic sunscreens for you! To make your shopping even easier, here are our top picks (and some honorable mentions):

Best non-toxic sunscreen for babies & kids

Badger

A top-tier brand with consistently clean ingredients across all their products — and reef-safe, which I love. Available in multiple SPF levels and water-resistance options. Many formulas are organic, non-GMO, and cruelty-free. Stick with their Sport, Baby, or Active lines (Kids and Adventure Sport score slightly lower on EWG). Fair warning: it's thick, so give it a few minutes to soak in.

Attitude

One of my personal favorites — I use their lotion, sunscreen, and several other products regularly. Attitude offers both a cream and a stick option, and their sunscreen has received the top EWG rating, which speaks for itself.

Earth Mama

I appreciate that Earth Mama offers options for baby sunscreen and uber-sensitive sunscreen, both formulated with minimal ingredients.

Two Peas Organics

It’s one of my family's favorites. They offer unscented and waterproof options, the brand is budget-friendly, and the consistency of the sunscreen is easy to spread. I recommend this brand for all ages!

All Good

It is a mineral-based, non-toxic sunscreen that is 100% reef-safe. All Good sunscreen products come in face sticks, baby creams, tinted sunscreens, chapstick, and more. I don't recommend the spray, but most of their other products are free from the top 8 nasty chemicals, including benzene, and rank one on the EWG rating system.

ThinkBaby

ThinkSport has various options; their ThinkBaby or ThinkSport Kids SPF 30 are the best options for a non-toxic, skin-safe, and reef-safe sunscreen for kids (and adults!). ThinkBaby comes in a tube and a stick as well.

Babo Botanicals

Most of their lineup is EWG-certified — the highest clean standard. When in doubt, go for their baby or sensitive options, which have the fewest ingredients.

Stream2Sea

Stream2Sea offers a kids’ option that I really like. Although we recommend avoiding their sport line, which has some not-so-great ingredients.

Solara

A pricier option, but it contains hydrating, plant-based ingredients that nourish the skin and are good for babies, kids, and adults.

Blue Lizard

I wouldn't recommend all of Blue Lizard's options for sunscreen, but they are mineral-based and use more natural ingredients. Their Kids Mineral Sunscreen Stick ranks 2 on EWG, and I have friends who really like this brand.

Best non-toxic sunscreen for adults

Every brand listed above is equally safe and effective for adults. Baby and kids' sunscreens are formulated with gentler ingredients, which makes them ideal for sensitive adult skin too. If you want something adult-specific or tinted, here's where to focus:

Top clean tinted sunscreens

Earth Mama, All Good, Babo Botanicals, and Stream2Sea offer tinted options that are great non-toxic sunscreen options for your face. These could be a suitable choice for adults who want some coverage along with sunscreen protection!

Solora also offers a daily facial lotion that is one of the best on the market.

Honorable mention: Make your own!

And finally, you can make your own! Get your hands on some zinc oxide and mix it with a carrier oil or lotion; there are plenty of recipes if you google it. Another natural way to add SPF is carrot seed oil or Red Raspberry Seed Oil. This is a cost-effective option!

Why you should never use spray sunscreen

You'll notice there are zero spray sunscreen options on this list — and that's intentional. Even a mineral sunscreen with clean ingredients isn't safe in spray form. Zinc oxide is a lung irritant, and inhaling it — even accidentally — is a real risk with sprays. Back to rubbing in that lotion it is!

If you ever want to research a brand or ingredient on your own, the EWG Healthy Living app is the best tool out there. The lower the score, the better.

A note on sunscreen and vitamin D

Sunscreen blocks UVA/UVB rays effectively — but in doing so, it also blocks your ability to synthesize those rays into Vitamin D. Nearly half of Americans are deficient in this essential vitamin, and that number jumps to 70 percent for children ages 6 to 11.

To get the best of both worlds: spend 20–30 minutes in full sun before applying sunscreen. This maximizes Vitamin D absorption while minimizing your burn and skin cancer risk. This is especially worth keeping in mind if you use an SPF moisturizer or SPF-infused makeup daily.