Best Clean And Non Toxic Sunscreens (For Babies, Kids & Adults)

When looking to have fun in the sun, it's important to choose sun protection that is good for you and the planet, too. When the sun comes out and we start spending more time outside, I want to be able to reach for a clean and non toxic sunscreen option that I feel safe using on my kids and on sensitive skin.

But, as I sorted through the options for non toxic sunscreen, I wasn’t sure which was best for me and my family. I had a lot of questions: what is the best non toxic sunscreen for babies? For kids? For adults? What ingredients should I avoid?

Comparing long ingredient lists of words you don’t know is an overwhelming and time-consuming process. Hopefully, this resource will empower you to stock up on non toxic sunscreen that you feel good about because it's safe for your skin, your kids, and the planet – just in time for your summer adventures.

Why Should I Use Safe And Non Toxic Sunscreen?

Many people are unaware that the ingredients in standard sunscreens can be hazardous, even more detrimental than the occasional sunburn.

Chemical-based sunscreens include ingredients like Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Homosalate, Avobenzone, etc., which are absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream at concentrations higher than the FDA's safety threshold.

These chemicals disrupt hormones, cause allergic reactions, and can even lead to cancer. They also bleach and deform coral reefs, impair algae growth, and accumulate in the tissues of fish, dolphins, mussels, and other marine life, causing congenital disabilities and immune damage.

Mineral Vs. Chemical-Based Sunscreens

Let's keep this simple. There are two, and only two, ingredients that are classified as safe and effective sun-blocking ingredients by the FDA: Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.

When picking your non toxic sunscreen, check the active ingredients on the sunscreen in question.

You're good to go if one or both of those are the active ingredients. ✅

If the active ingredients include anything else, then avoid them. ❌

If the ingredient doing the sun-screening (the active ingredient) is either zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide, then you've found a mineral-based sunscreen. These minerals are not harmful to your skin or your body when absorbed into your bloodstream (remember, your skin "eats" whatever you put on it), nor are they harmful to the sea (or lake) and its creatures.

Once you've checked the active ingredients, make sure to also look out for phthalates and parabens (often hidden in the ingredient "fragrance").

You can use the Environmental Working Group's resource for more guidance.

How We Choose Safe Non Toxic Sunscreen Choices

We cross-reference the available research with the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) extensive database. Since 1993, the EWG has been tracking chemical safety and calling out companies that use harmful chemicals. The products listed below are either EWG-certified or rank highly according to their quality standards. When EWG verifies a product, you can trust that the ingredients are safe.

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

Badger is an excellent brand with super clean ingredients across the board and is also reef-safe (which is great for the ocean!). They have a variety of options for SPFs and levels of water resistance. Many of their sunscreens are organic, non-GMO, reef-safe, and cruelty-free. Badger Kids and Adventure Sport sunscreens have a lower EWG rating, so stick with Sport, Baby, or Active. However, leave some time for it to soak in because it tends to be thick.

Attitude

I am a big fan of this brand and use a range of their products, including lotion and sunscreen (and a few other items!). Attitude offers both a regular cream sunscreen and a stick sunscreen. Another plus is this brand's sunscreen options have received the top rating from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), emphasizing its safety and quality.

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 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

Again, there are various options, most of which are EWG-certified (the highest level of clean according to the EWG ratings). When in doubt, I always stick with the baby or sensitive options, as they contain the least amount of ingredients.

Stream2Sea

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

Solara

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

Best Non Toxic Sunscreen For Adults

All of the above options for babies and kids are equally suitable for use with adults. Most baby and kid sunscreen products are formulated with gentler ingredients, making them completely safe for adults to use. While we recommend all of the above options, but would also like to highlight a few additional non toxic sunscreen choices below.

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, as mineral-based sunscreens can be expensive, especially for a large family vacationing in Florida! 🌴

Say "No" To Spray Sunscreens

You'll notice there are NO sunscreen SPRAY options on this list. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news: even a mineral sunscreen with non toxic ingredients is not as safe as a spray; ingredients like zinc oxide that are safe for your skin are lung irritants and not suitable to be inhaled. So, back to rubbing in that greasy white lotion, you go!

There are many more options, so if you're ever wondering about a brand or an ingredient, check it out on EWG's Healthy Living app. The lower the number, the better.

Sunscreen & Vitamin D

A note on sunscreen and vitamin D absorption: Sunscreen successfully protects your skin from UVA/UVB rays, but in doing so, it blocks your ability to synthesize those rays into Vitamin D. Nearly half of Americans are deficient in this essential vitamin, as well as 70 percent of children between the ages of 6 to 11!

To ensure you're getting enough of the "sun vitamin," spend 20 to 30 minutes in full sun before applying your sunscreen. This maximizes your absorption but minimizes your risk of burning or developing skin cancer. Please know this if you use an SPF daily lotion or makeup.

There you have it! Some non toxic options for you and the planet to help you soak up the sun all season.