Photo Illustration: Bridget Clegg: Getty Images; Courtesy Kokua Sun Care; Australian Gold; Versed; MANDA
When buying sunscreen, it’s super important to keep ingredients in mind — and we’re not just talking about ingredients that are safe for your skin. It’s been proven that freshly applied sunscreen can be harmful to our ocean's disappearing coral reefs, which is why switching to reef-safe sunscreen is crucial as we get more proactive about preserving our marine ecosystems.
What is reef-safe sunscreen? Simply put, it’s a mineral sunscreen that uses specific ingredients — namely zinc oxide and titanium dioxide — to protect skin from UV rays. These mineral ingredients physically block UVA and UVB rays from entering the skin (which is why mineral sunscreen is also referred to as physical sunscreen). They’re considered reef-safe or coral-safe because these ingredients don’t damage coral reefs, and aren’t found to be harmful to marine life.
Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, use ingredients such as oxybenzone and octinoxate to provide sun protection. These work by absorbing UV rays and turning them into heat that’s then dissipated from the skin. Unlike mineral sunscreens, however, the ingredients in chemical sunscreens do leach into marine environments, have been linked to reef degradation, and are found to have a negative impact on sea life and the ecosystem. Resources like the National Ocean Service and Save the Reef include many others in their HEL List of harmful and/or controversial ingredients, so check your labels before you apply your go-to sunblock.
Luckily, reef-safe sunscreens are becoming much more widely available, so it’s easier than ever to make this environmentally conscious swap. We've made sure that all of the following sunscreens in this guide leave out oxybenzone, octinoxate, and more, so you can enjoy your fun in the sun without worrying about Mother Earth. These sunscreens also have an SPF of at least 30, which is the minimum recommended number by the Skin Cancer Foundation.
One of our writers, Jennifer Hussein, also tested several of the sunscreens that we’re recommending here to give you first-hand feedback on their application and wear. In addition, each of these sunscreens has tons of positive reviews on Amazon and Sephora.
It’s also good to note that there are already several coastal travel destinations that have strictly enforced bans on chemical sunscreen. So if you’re planning to visit Hawaii, Key West, Palau, Los Cabos, Rivera Maya, Aruba, Bonaire, or the U.S. Virgin Islands anytime soon, it’s important to have a reef-safe sunscreen option on hand. We put together a list of our faves to give you the best — and most universally accepted — options.
Kōkua's Natural Zinc Sunscreen is the pick for those who absolutely want a lightweight, non-greasy SPF, with zero compromises on protection.
Boasting the highest percentage of non-nano zinc oxide on the market, it also comes with an impressive roster of Hawaiian antioxidants. It goes on clear, has an irresistible, light coconut-vanilla scent, meets all worldwide sunscreen regulations, and is safe enough for kids, too. The only downside is we didn't discover it early enough!
This cheery, wholesome, reef-safe sunscreen from Reef Repair will safely keep skin protected for up to 80 minutes when used in water.
Infused with natural ingredients like red raspberry seed and coconut oil, it includes an extra dose of natural fragrance and sun protection that will have you swearing off all other sunscreens. And at 50 milliliters in size, it's completely TSA-compliant for your carry-ons.
3
Highly Rated
Botanical Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Mineral Lotion SPF 50
Active Ingredient: Titanium dioxide, 4%; zinc oxide, 4%
Protection: SPF 50, UVA, UVB
Texture: Lotion
Extras: Kakadu plum, eucalyptus, red algae
This botanical-forward formula is pretty much the holy grail, with upwards of 17,000 Amazon 5-star reviewers. Hypoallergenic as well as dermatologist- and pediatrician-tested, its lightly tinted formula is able to absorb readily into skin and improve nourishment via a slew of soothing, Australian-sourced antioxidants.
The main draw of this sunscreen is its longevity. The non-greasy formula almost feels powdery as it dries, and it doesn't irritate sensitive skin, either.
Ready to work up a sweat? Then, this reef-safe sunscreen from Thinksport has you covered. Whether your sport of choice is swimming, running, surfing, or just going buns-out by the beach, this SPF 50 sunscreen will keep your skin guarded against harmful rays without polluting our oceans and coral reefs.
This mineral-based formula features amazing antioxidants and hydrators, and it's also water- and sweat-resistant for up to a full 80 minutes. Its formula is lightweight and glides right on like your favorite lotion. Plus, its bargain-friendly price tag makes it hard to pass up.
5
Best Under Makeup
Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen and Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Extras: Hyaluronic acid, astaxanthin, red algae; certified organic aloe vera, jojoba, sunflower, pomegranate, cucumber, and green tea
Rich but non-greasy ... never the 'twain shall meet? Think again. This moisturizer-sunscreen-primer (yup!) hybrid is a skincare minimalist's dream: A few dots on the face gives you ample sun protection, while also pampering skin with youth-promoting antioxidants.
It's a vegan formula that gets skin smooth and even-toned prior to applying makeup. Couple that with the redness-reducing properties of its 20% zinc oxide formula, and you've found your next best multitasker.
This sunscreen is made with 100% natural ingredients. That's right: Everything on their inactives list is pronounceable, recognizable, and earth-sourced.
This safe and gentle cream — in addition to smelling divine and being chock-full of certified organic good stuff — is great for kids and completely nontoxic.
Its special sauce lies in thanaka powder (Burmese sandalwood), a ground bark that's high in antioxidants and touts amazing anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-acne, and regenerative benefits.
We love sunscreen, but we don't love the greasy feel that many of them leave behind. So, if you'd rather take the mattifying approach with your reef-safe sunscreen, this formula from COOLA should be front of mind.
It has a sheer finish that makes it perfect for a wide variety of skin tones, along with mattifying powers to give your complexion a shine-free look. The number of organic antioxidants it has for a sun protection product is pretty impressive, to boot.
8
Best for Blue Light
Guards Up Daily Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 35
Yes, your devices can and do damage your skin. However, the end isn't nigh: Take a gander at this hardworking (and rather chic, if we do say so ourselves) non-nano zinc sunscreen, which is a pretty formidable triple threat. It provides broad-spectrum protection against the sun, while also guarding against environmental pollution and screen pollution ... aka blue light. (Not today, iPhone. Not today.)
It comes in a tinted formula and sits at that sweet spot between matte and dewy, so you're left with a natural glow. Their no-nasty formulation also lets you rest easy: Along with being reef-safe and paraben-free, it's also vegan, dye-free, and woman-owned.
Active Ingredient: Titanium dioxide, 7%; zinc oxide, 9%
Protection: SPF 45, UVA, UVB
Texture: Lotion
Extras: Gingko Biloba leaf extract, aloe leaf juice
If your skin is rather delicate and prone to irritation, then this sunscreen has you covered (literally).
This reef-friendly formula from Alba Botanica ditches the chemicals that are harmful to both you and the planet. Plus, it's fragrance-free, and even recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Active Ingredient: Titanium dioxide 7%, zinc oxide 7%, mica 3%
Protection: SPF 50, UVA, UVB
Texture: Lotion
Extras: Organic aloe vera leaf juice, aloe vera leaf gel, cucumber fruit extract, and shea butter; blue passionflower, avocado seed oil, jojoba seed oil, grapeseed oil, vitamin E
Founder Daisy Jing formulated The Defender during the height of the pandemic lockdown, when she needed sunscreen gentle enough for her acne-prone skin, as well as for her newborn during their daily walks.
The result is a lightweight, fragrance-free, super spreadable gem of an SPF, which boasts a non-nano mineral formula that also works great as a makeup base. You'll forget you even have it on (which, with facial sunscreens, is pretty much the goal). Plus, its organic, skin-benefiting ingredients are a godsend for blemish-prone complexions.
Apart from covering the basics of offering broad-spectrum protection and 80-minute water resistance, this mineral sunscreen is also gentle enough for children and babies 6 months and older.
It's hypoallergenic, lightweight, and great for sensitive skin. It also contains good-for-you nourishers like calendula, rosehip, Buriti, and olive oils for a skin-smoothing effect that's neither greasy nor off-putting.
Dana BaardsenSenior Editor at BestProducts.comDana is the former Parenting Editor at BestProducts.com, where she’s been using her degree in nutrition and food science and experience in parenting editorials to cover trending topics in the family and fitness industries since 2012; Her work has been featured on Fit Pregnancy, Refinery 29, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, Prevention, Men’s Health, Parents, and more.
Jennifer HusseinBeauty EditorJennifer is the Beauty Editor for BestProducts.com, where she’s testing out everything from the latest lip gloss to the craziest skincare trend sweeping the online beauty-verse.
Eunice Lucero-LeeSenior EditorEunice Lucero-Lee is the Senior Editor for Best Products, and is a beauty, astrology, and pop culture obsessive whose work has been featured in publications such as Cosmopolitan, Esquire, The Numinous, and woman&home, among many others.
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