A little sun never hurt anyone. It is an excellent source of Vitamin D, which is essential for maintaining strong bones and a healthy immune system. In fact, just 5-30 minutes of sun exposure between 10am and 4pm each day is sufficient to meet the daily recommended dosage of Vitamin D, so long as you are not wearing sunscreen. But if you are spending more than that out in the sun, you absolutely need a non toxic and safe sunscreen.

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But I Heard Sunscreen Gives You Cancer

This is a phrase that likes to be thrown around on social media. It is meant to instill shock and awe in you so you click or engage. There is nuance to this statement and before you swear off sunscreen, let's dive deeper.

This statement stems from the reality that 90% of sunscreens available on the market today are chemical-based sunscreens, which come with their own health risks. It does not mean that all sunscreen is bad for you. Let's discuss.

The Risks of Chemical-Based Sunscreens

Chemical sunscreens, which contain ingredients such as oxybenzone, avobenzone, and octinoxate, can pose several health risks so it's no surprise they are on our no-no list. Oxybenzone, for example, has been linked to hormone disruption and allergic skin reactions.

Studies suggest that these chemicals can be absorbed into the bloodstream, potentially affecting reproductive health and contributing to other health issues.

These chemical sunscreens can also harm marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs, and are banned in some coastal areas. because of their devastating effects on aquatic life.

Lastly, the majority of sunscreens available in your typical supermarket or CVS contain: fragrance, propellants like butane and isobutane, parabens, phenoxyethanol, PEG compounds, mineral oil/paraffinum liquidum, nano particles and even synthetic dyes.

A 2021 report even found the majority of sunscreens were contaminated with benzene, a known carcinogen. Benzene is not intentionally added to sunscreen — it’s a contaminant that can form as a byproduct of manufacturing or as a result of chemical degradation of certain ingredients, especially under heat or UV exposure. You may remember the FDA recalling products in the past.

The reason benzene contamination occurs in conventional sunscreens, in particular, is because of their ingredient choices. For example, some petroleum-derived ingredients (like isobutane, butane, or ethanol) used as propellants in sprays can be contaminated with trace amounts of benzene during production. Certain UV filters (like avobenzone or octocrylene) can degrade in sunlight or heat, and trigger the formation of benzene.

Better Sunscreen Options

This doesn't mean that all sunscreen is bad for you. Too much sun can lead to sunburn, premature aging and, yes, even skin cancer. So if you're going to be out in the sun for prolonged periods, it is essential that you use a safe sunscreen. Keyword: safe.

Instead, opt for a mineral-based sunscreen with non-nano Zinc-oxide as the active ingredient. We specify non-nano because nanoparticles can cross the blood brain barrier, and this technology is still not well understood. 

We do not recommend Titanium Dioxide, although this is another popular mineral-based sunscreen option. Studies have raised concerns about Titanium Dioxide's ability to create free radicals and The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has identified Titanium Dioxide as a Group 2B Carcinogen - an agent that is “possibly carcinogenic” to humans but lacks sufficient human research. While the risks of titanium dioxide are much lower in topical use, we still recommend avoiding. Plus we have better options on the market anyway!

What About Oils With Natural SPF?

Some natural oils offer mild sun-protective properties thanks to their antioxidant content and UV-absorbing compounds. Many of the claims online are based on this 2010 study, but if you actually read the study, the SPF levels are very low. They were also performed in vitro (in a petri dish) and not tested in vivo (on animals or humans), which would provide more definitive data.

These oils can help reduce oxidative stress and support the skin barrier when exposed to incidental sun—like walking to your car or gardening briefly. Earthley Sun Shield is a great natural option for this. Plus, they don't block your absorption of Vitamin D. Vitamin D synthesis primarily depends on UVB radiation reaching the skin. Most oils with natural SPF typically don’t fully block UVB rays.

However, it's important to understand that natural oils are not broad-spectrum sunscreens. They do not undergo the same rigorous testing as FDA-approved sunscreens and may not offer consistent protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

UVA rays in particular penetrate deeper into the skin and contribute to aging and long-term damage even when no burn is visible. So while these oils are beneficial in your skincare routine and can offer some daily defense, they should not be relied on for extended sun exposure like at the beach or park. For those full-sun days, it's best to use a broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen (like non-nano zinc oxide-based formulas) for dependable protection.

Our Criteria For What Makes The Best Sunscreen

Choosing the "best" sunscreen is not just about picking up any mineral sunscreen. In addition to choosing a safe active ingredient in your sunscreen, you also need to take a look at the inactive ingredients, which often contain petrochemicals and other nasties on our no-no list, each with their own risks. Here's the criteria we used in selecting our favorite sunscreens:

• A non toxic active ingredient, like non-nano Zinc Oxide. 
• Toxin-free inactive ingredients. This means no petrochemicals, no fragrance, and no harmful preservatives.
• No aerosol can, which is harmful to the environment, and also contains toxic propellants like butane and isobutane, which you inhale during application.
• Easy to apply and great spread-ability.
• Goes on sheer, because let's face it... we don't want to appear like ghosts at the beach. 

Our Top Sunscreen Picks

As a Florida-based company, we feel particularly qualified to comment on the effectiveness of sunscreen. After all, it's the Sunshine State! These sunscreens consistently perform well in terms of their effectiveness is preventing sunburn, ease of application, and appearance on the skin.

Beauty by Earth	Earth Harbor
Convenient spray bottle is great for full body application. Delicious vanilla and coconut scent. Rubs on sheer. Larger bottle. No white cast. Recommended for use on body.	Sheer application. Formulated for face application. Spreads on easily. Non-comedogenic. Protects against pollution too. No white cast. Recommended for use on face.

Honorable Mentions for Best Sunscreen

In a close race for second best, these sunscreens also performed well, but for one deficiency or another did not top the list.

All of these options use non-nano version of zinc oxide and no fragrance or other harmful ingredients.

• Badger Sunscreen - More easily found in stores. Simple ingredients. A popular choice for kids. Affordable. But can leave a little white cast if not applied thoroughly. Apply at home in front of a mirror for best results. They have a stick version as well.
• Raw Love Sunscreen - Performs similarly to Badger. Small busines! Simple ingredients. But can leave a little white cast if not applied thoroughly. Apply at home in front of a mirror for best results. They have a stick version too.
• Beauty By Earth Sunscreen (Tube) - Clean ingredients. We prefer their spray version for ease of application, but this is a great option too. They have one for face too.
• Raw Elements Face and Body Cream - Comes in a zero waste tin. Botanical Ingredients. A little thicker than the other options on this list, and does have a slight white cast.
• Sun Potions Sunscreen - We tested this for our shop. My husband was put off by the non-scent (it's not scented, but does have a natural scent from the ingredients). However, ingredients are clean and if you apply carefully, it does not leave a white cast. It's a small business out of Texas and they offer local pick up if you live in the area. 

Other Ways To Protect Yourself From The Sun

While sunscreen is vital to curbing any harmful effects from our powerful sun, there are also other tactics. These physical barriers provide consistent, non-invasive protection. Think of it as layering your defenses—what you wear and where you spend your time outdoors matter just as much as what you apply to your skin. Here are other ways to protect your skin:

• Wide-brimmed hats - not just a fashion statement! Great for minimizing the amount of sun that penetrates your sensitive facial skin.
• Seeking shade during peak UV hours - Hanging out under a tree or umbrella during peak hours (typically 10am–4pm) helps
• Clothing - ever wonder why gardeners don long sleeve shirts and pants in the middle of a hot day? Because clothing creates a natural barrier between you and the sun's rays. Use natural fibers like cotton, linen, and hemp.

UPF-rated clothing is often cited as a good option. However, take note that most of these also use waterproof fabrics, which likely contain PFAS. While toxicity is about overall exposure, you'll need to weigh the pros and cons on whether this makes sense for you. The benefit of UPF-rated clothing is that it avoids the need for sunscreen in the areas that it covers. It's not a completely "clean" option though.