Natural sunscreen can be a great alternative to chemical sunscreens. They are active immediately upon application and can offer a higher level of protection. Natural sunscreens can be very greasy and difficult to rub in. It is an ongoing struggle between protection, and vanity (how the sunscreen smells, rubs in, etc.). For example, zinc oxide sunscreens, which tend to fall into the mineral sunscreen category, usually have a very high SPF, but they don’t rub in all the way. On the other hand, titanium dioxide sunscreens, also typically in the natural category, have a lower SPF but rub in better. You shouldn’t have to choose between these two critical factors, so we’ve put together our own little natural sunscreen guide.
How Often You Should Apply
Your skin type is what will determine what kind of sunscreen you should get, and how often you should apply it.
Fair skin can only last 10 minutes in the sun before burning
Olive skin can last 15 minutes before burning
Dark skin can last about 20 minutes before burning
To calculate how often you should be applying, or what SPF to get, multiply the SPF by the number of minutes your skin type can stay in the sun. This will give you the total number of minutes you can stay in the sun before burning. So if you apply SPF 30 to someone with fair skin, they can remain in the sun for 300 minutes until they have to reapply.
About Natural Sunscreen
Recently, the sunscreen market is swamped with chemical sunscreens that contain things like Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, and Avobenzone. Despite being ‘natural,’ not all mineral sunscreens are safe or effective. Several companies throw some organic ingredients in their chemical sunscreens so that they can say ‘made with natural ingredients,’ despite being unsafe.
Mineral sunscreens create a physical barrier on the skin that blocks UV rays. This means that mineral sunscreens can be effective the moment they are applied to the skin, whereas chemical sunscreens take around 30 minutes to work after application.
Natural Sunscreen for Babies
It’s important to remember that children under the age of six months are susceptible to both sunscreen and UV rays. It’s advised not to use any products on infants under six months old because their skin is prone to irritation. In addition to applying sunscreen, try to cover as much exposed skin as you can on your infant.
True Natural Ultra Protection
This sunscreen was specially crafted with babies, toddlers, and youngsters in mind. The product includes gentle ingredients like shea butter and green tea. This product goes on thickly, but with a bit of rubbing, it will disappear into your skin. The sunscreen has a light coconut scent and is an SPF of 50. This formula isn’t greasy or sticky. The sunscreen is non-nano, GMO-free, cruelty-free, gluten-free, vegan, and made with organic ingredients.
All Good Sunscreen Butter
This long lasting formula is made with several gentle ingredients for optimal protection. The formula includes coconut oil, calendula, and Beeswax. The Beeswax helps this butter to be sustainable. This formula is thick, rich, and easy to rub in. It comes in a tin or a tube and is SPF 50. The formula is water resistant up to 80 minutes and protects against broad spectrum rays (both UV and UVA rays). All Good butter is non-nano, gluten-free, reef safe, and made with 95% certified organic ingredients.
Erbaviva Sunscreen
This sunscreen is perfect for adults and kids. The formula is gentle and moisturizing. It rubs in thoroughly and leaves no white residue behind. This screen is also water resistant for up to 80 minutes. The sunscreen is slightly scented with chamomile and lavender. This sunscreen is SPF 30 and protects against broad spectrum rays. Erbaviva sunscreen is also cruelty-free and made with organic ingredients.
Best Natural Sunscreen for Face
Mineral sunscreens aren’t all perfect for your face, which is the most delicate part of your body. Many of these sunscreens are matte so that you’re not left with a greasy sheen. Matte sunscreen is perfect for those with oily skin. Many of us also don’t want the oily shine that comes along with sunscreen. Here are a few natural sun protection options that are perfect for your face.
ILIA
ILIA is a brand of tinted moisturizer that also offers an SPF of 20. This moisturizer is packed with anti-aging ingredients that also add a healthy glow to your skin; it’s practically a facial! This moisturizer comes in six different shades so that it can offer light coverage to a range of skin tones. This product also offers a semi matte finish. The ILIA tinted moisturizer is vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free, and made with organic ingredients.
Badger
Badger is a great natural sunscreen brand that offers of variety of different sunscreens. Many of their sunscreens are specifically formulated for the face. Badger natural sunscreen also is light and easily will blend into your skin. It also acts as a moisturizer, which is great because the sun can dry out your skin. These lotions also have a light rose scent, and some also have a skin tint. The only downside is that most of the Badger sunscreen is only SPF 25, so you have to reapply frequently. All badger sunscreens are also certified NSF Non-GMO, non-nano, cruelty-free, and are made with 95% certified organic ingredients.
Suntegritaty
This is another sunscreen. It is a natural moisturizer and can nourish skin in addition to mask flaws and provide light coverage. This product comes in five shades: fair, light, golden light, medium, and dark. This formula goes on smoothly and is light. There is no greasy residue left behind after application. This sunscreen is vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free, nano-free, fragrance-free, and is made with organic ingredients.
Josh Rosebrook
This product is a sunscreen that protects, moisturizes, and repairs. It also has anti aging elements in it. It also adds a ‘glow’ agent to your skin. This product can also reduce the appearance of dark spots and help keep acne in check. If goes on smoothly, and rubs in entirely. This product is also unscented. The Josh Rosebrook Nutrient Day Cream has an SPF of 30, and is wild crafted, non-GMO, made with no animal testing, and made with organic ingredients. Josh Rosebrook also makes the same product with a skin tint.
Hopefully, now you can choose the right natural sunscreen for you, whether you are going on vacation in Australia or South Africa or California. Remember to always reapply, and go out and enjoy the sun!
Leave a Reply