Best Natural Sunscreens Of 2022

To determine the best natural sunscreens of 2022, the Forbes Health editorial team evaluated more than 50 natural sunscreen products across the market. Product rankings were determined solely by the editorial team and based on a variety of different factors, including:

• Price
• SPF
• Ingredients
• Duration of protection
• Water resistance

Natural sunscreen, also known as physical sunscreen, uses minerals ground into fine powders rather than chemicals to provide protection from the sun’s UV rays. Currently, the FDA has approved two minerals for UV protection—zinc oxide and titanium dioxide—which are generally recognized as safe and effective in over-the-counter natural sunscreens.

“Just like cigarette smoke, UV sunlight is a known carcinogen (something that causes cancer),” says Emmy Graber, M.D., founder and president of the Dermatology Institute of Boston. “Protecting yourself from UV light can prevent skin cancer.” The sun emits two types of UV rays: ultraviolet A (UVA), which is associated with premature skin aging like wrinkles, and ultraviolet B (UVB), which is associated with sunburn. UVA makes up 95% of the UV rays that reach the earth’s surface. A natural mineral sunscreen should be broad spectrum, meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

Zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide, the active mineral ingredients in natural sunscreen, act as barriers on top of the skin that reflect UVA and UVB light, which is why mineral sunscreens can sometimes leave a white film on the skin after application. Natural sunscreens can also be greasy or thick, depending on the formula. For this reason, Dr. Graber encourages her patients to try several natural sunscreens. “The best sunscreen is one that you will use,” she adds. “Try lots of sunscreens to find one that feels comfortable on your skin so that you will use it regularly and frequently.”

Many natural sunscreens include additional ingredients, such as antioxidants—natural or man-made substances that help protect against cell damage—like vitamin C, vitamin E and green tea polyphenols, to further protect against the effects of sun exposure.

Most natural sunscreen products are sweat- and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, and the FDA recommends applying sunscreen at least every two hours (or more frequently if you’re jumping in and out of water or toweling off).

How Is Natural Sunscreen Different From Chemical Sunscreen?

While natural sunscreen acts like a shield on top of your skin, chemical sunscreen is absorbed by the skin and, in turn, absorbs UV radiation before it penetrates deeper, converting the rays into heat that is then released through the skin.

Research shows certain ingredients in some chemical sunscreens, including oxybenzone and octinoxate, pose potential health and environmental risks, such as endocrine system disruption in humans and degradation of coral reefs. Multiple locations, including Aruba and the U.S. Virgin Islands, ban the sale of oxybenzone-containing products because of potential harm to aquatic life.

While common ingredients in chemical sunscreens are deemed safe and effective by the FDA in certain amounts and more options for chemical sunscreen made without oxybenzone and octinoxate are reaching the market, research regarding potential human health risks posed by the absorption of these chemicals into the bloodstream is ongoing.

Chemical sunscreens tend to cause more irritation, such as contact dermatitis, in people with sensitive skin. However, because they absorb more quickly, they may feel less heavy or greasy than mineral sunscreens.

“Some people are allergic to certain ingredients in sunscreen, and those individuals should avoid chemical sunscreens,” adds Dr. Graber.

UV radiation damages DNA and causes genetic mutations that lead to skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (which often develop where the skin is frequently exposed to sun like on the face and top of the head). Melanoma, the most dangerous of the three most common types of skin cancer, can be linked with sunburns.

Broad spectrum sunscreen protects against both UVB rays that cause sunburns (and subsequent damage to the DNA in our skin cells) and UVA rays that lead to premature signs of aging. When applied frequently and as directed, sunscreen can protect against harmful UV rays, decreasing the risk of certain cancers and premature signs of aging.

There are several important factors to consider when deciding if a natural sunscreen is right for you and your family.

Ingredients

If you or your family have any allergies to ingredients in chemical sunscreen, a natural sunscreen can provide a good alternative. Currently, the FDA has approved two active ingredients for natural sun protection, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. The sunscreen you choose should list either one or both of these as the active ingredients on the product label. However, if other active ingredients are listed, it’s likely the sunscreen in question has a combination of chemicals and minerals.

Activity Level

If you’re gearing up for long days at the beach or playing sports in the sun, choosing a natural sunscreen that is sweat- and water-resistant is crucial, as is reapplying frequently. Because natural sunscreen sits on top of the skin as a barrier to reflect UV radiation away from the skin, it’s important to reapply after rubbing off with a towel, even if it’s within the time frame the product is considered water resistant.

Outdoor fun isn’t the only time to think about applying sunscreen, however. UVA rays penetrate clouds and even glass, so if you work in a sunny office space or frequently go from indoors to outdoors, consider using a broad spectrum sunscreen for daily facial wear.

Skin Sensitivity

If you know you have sensitive skin or are purchasing a product for babies or children, a natural sunscreen can offer sun protection with fewer ingredients and risks of reaction. Look for a natural sunscreen labeled as hypoallergenic and appropriate for sensitive skin. Additionally, when it comes to facial sunscreens, selecting a product that is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores, can help avoid breakouts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend sunscreen use on infants younger than 6 months.

SPF

Skin type plays a role in the amount and type of sunscreen you need to use, as people with fair skin typically absorb more solar energy compared to people with darker skin tones, according to the FDA. SPF refers to how much UV radiation is required to produce sunburn on sunscreen-protected skin versus skin without sunscreen. For example, a person wearing SPF 15 sunscreen will take 15 times longer to burn than someone wearing no sunscreen at all. When it comes to mineral sunscreens, higher SPFs mean higher concentrations of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which can lead to thicker layers of white lotion on the skin.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that SPF measurement doesn’t equate solely to the amount of time spent in the sun—it’s also dependent on the strength of UV rays at that time, according to the FDA. For example, sun exposure in the early morning is different from sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is strongest.

Beyond sunscreen, sun protection routines should include additional measures, such as wearing protective clothing, hats and sunglasses and avoiding direct sunlight when UV radiation is strongest. And as you prepare for time outside, be sure to follow product instructions regarding application and how frequently to reapply sunscreen.

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