Best Reef-Friendly Sunscreens 2024
With summer approaching, you might be checking your stock of sun protection in the medicine cabinet. If it’s time for some new environmentally friendly sunscreen, we have some tips and suggestions for you before hitting the beach! Part of creating a sustainable health and beauty routine is investing in some reef-friendly sunscreen. If you love the water and everything in it, please consider purchasing eco-friendly sun protection this year to protect marine biodiversity.
JUMP AHEAD TO REEF-SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE SUNSCREEN RECOMMENDATIONS
Why Choosing a ReeF-friendly sunscreen matters
Chemical sunscreens contain toxic ingredients that can harm aquatic life, such as oxybenzone and octinoxate. These chemical substances have been linked to coral bleaching and have other adverse effects on marine life. Other toxins in chemical sunscreens, like octisalate and homosalate, have also been shown to cause many health issues in humans.
Non-toxic mineral-based sunscreen formulas that contain natural ingredients and are ocean-safe are the better choice. The active ingredients in reef-friendly sunscreens are non-nano zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which won’t harm aquatic life.
Whether or not you plan to swim after applying your sun protection, you should choose chemical-free sunscreens. Not only should you avoid putting toxins on your skin, but when you wash them down the sink or shower, these forever chemicals make their way into our waterways.
Check out this article for more information about the difference between chemical and mineral sunscreens, ingredients, UVA & UVB rays, how SPF works, and how to identify coral-safe sunscreens.
Other eco-friendly considerations
Although protecting our health and wildlife by considering product ingredients is important, here at Successfully Sustainable, we believe what’s on the outside matters, too! In our research, many commonly recommended eco-friendly sunscreens still came in virgin plastic containers made of petrochemicals derived from fossil fuels.
If we want to be genuinely kind to the natural environment, we should first consider reef-safe sunscreens in sustainable packaging. This might mean bottles or containers that are refillable, reusable, made from recycled materials, or all of the above! You will also want to ensure that you properly dispose of any expired SPF and reuse or discard the container in the most eco-friendly way. Of course, we also want to examine how responsibly these products are made.
best reef-friendly sunscreen recommendations
There are many reef-safe sunscreen options out there, so let us help you choose some that also come in eco-friendly, virgin plastic-free packaging from sustainable brands! With these reef-safe SPF product choices from eco-conscious brands, you can rest assured that you are doing the right thing for your own health and the environment.
best cruelty-free sPF Option
Natural Organic Sunscreen – Butter me up Organics
- Organic non-nano zinc oxide sunscreen
- SPF 45+ to protect your skin
- Completely cruelty-free SPF
- Shipped plastic-free
- No synthetic dyes or fragrances
- Choose from two convenient sizes
- Sustainable packaging: comes in a reusable or recyclable glass jar
best vegan reef-friendly sunscreen choices
ECLIPSE Sheer Mineral Sunscreen – earth harbor naturals
- Reef-safe & non-nano sunscreen formulation
- 100% mineral SPF
- Macroalgae help protect skin from damage caused by blue light
- Green Tea Extract protects the skin against UVA and UVB rays and pollution damage
- Vegan, organic, chemical-free sun protection
- Climate Neutral Company
- Sustainable packaging: refillable bottle for circularity
Face & Body Plastic Free Tin SPF50 – sol de ibiza
- Non-nano zinc-oxide sunscreen
- Certified natural and organic ingredients, including aloe vera, coconut oil & calendula extract
- Vegan & cruelty-free
- Suitable for land and water
- Hydrates skin while protecting you from harmful UVA & UVB rays
- 1% for the Planet
- Sustainable packaging: recyclable & infinitely reusable steel packaging
Safest eco-friendly sunscreen for face
Reflector SPF 30 Facial Sun Protection – cocoon apothecary
- Includes zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are gentle on your skin
- Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots
- Vegan & cruelty-free
- Canadian company, small batch made in Ontario in studio
- Travel-sized sunscreen
- Sustainable packaging: recyclable aluminum tube with cap
Best Reef-Friendly sunscreens for swimming
Face and body Sunscreen SPF 30 – raw elements
- SPF 30+ Broad spectrum protection
- Certified all-natural ingredients
- Contains active antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and extracts
- Never runs or stings eyes
- Very water resistant (up to 80 minutes)
- Soy, gluten, and nut free
- Also available from Raw Elements: Baby and Kids SPF and Tinted Face Moisturizer
- Sustainable packaging: recyclable or reusable metal tin
bodyshield 50 – thrive
- Water-resistant for active outdoor sun exposure
- Mix of natural ingredients from pine rosin, larch tree, and macadamia
- Absorbs quickly, without any heavy white residue or a greasy feeling
- Cruelty-free, GMO-free, and vegan
- Certified plastic negative
- Your purchase helps restore farmlands in Costa Rica
- Sustainable packaging: recycled & recyclable plastic tube
Best hypoallergenic sunscreen
30 SPF moisturizer with Algae Derived Beta Glucan- etee
- SPF 30+ Broad spectrum protection
- Nanoparticle-free formula
- Safe for coral reefs; does not harm marine life
- Lightweight, non-greasy, clean sunscreen
- All-natural sunscreen ingredients, including shea butter, jojoba, argan, and prickly pear seed oil
- Specifically developed for sensitive skin
- Vanilla and coconut scent
- Sustainable packaging: backyard compostable pods!
Best Fragrance-Free Natural Sunscreen
Clear Zinc sport Mineral Sunscreen Tin SPF 40 – badger
- Coral reef-friendly formula is a fantastic biodegradable sunscreen option
- SPF 40+ Broad spectrum protection
- Just four all-natural, non-toxic ingredients
- 80 minutes of protection
- USDA Certified Organic Formula
- Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free
- Certified B Corporation
- Fragrance-free
- Sustainable packaging: recyclable or reusable aluminum tin
organic sPF for lips
Organic Anti-Chap Lip Balm – Butter me up organics
- Eco-friendly, natural lip moisturizer with SPF-15
- Organic, non-GMO, cruelty-free
- Organic unrefined Shea Butter, Beeswax, and Organic Coconut Oil
- Natural honey smell
- Sustainable packaging: paperboard tube made with 100% recycled material & labels printed with eco-friendly soy-based inks
honorable reef-friendly sunscreen mentions
Think Suncare
The Think sun care line is highly-rated in many other blogs about reef-friendly sunscreens. This is because it has been top-rated on EWG’s Skin Deep with a “1” rating since 2010 and it contains many amazing natural ingredients like sunflower and grapefruit oil.
However, I could not find the exact material from which their tubes are made. The closest information I could find on their website was “Thinkbaby and Thinksport sunscreens come in a tube made of environmentally friendly packaging that does not contain BPA, vinyl, or phthalates. We advocate against the use of plastic covers and plastic packaging, as most of this packaging contains PVC and phthalates.” However, they offer a non-aerosol spray sunscreen if you prefer that over lotion.
Sun Bum
There are some excellent reasons to choose Sun Bum’s mineral SPF products made in the U.S. over other, less sustainable options. They are Certified Vegan, Leaping Bunny cruelty-free, and Hawaii Act 104 Reef Compliant, which means their products do not contain Oxybenzone or Octinoxate.
As with Think, they do not state precisely what their containers are made from, saying only “currently, the bottles, tubes, and non-aerosol spray cans in our Skin Care line are recyclable, in addition to our sunscreen spray bottles.” Another thing to note is that they still produce “original” chemical sunscreens that are not reef-safe.
Final thoughts about the best reef-friendly sunscreens
When protecting your skin sustainably from the sun, think in steps. First, look for mineral vs. chemical SPF, ensuring they are oxybenzone or octinoxate-free. Next, check the inactive ingredients for other harmful chemicals. Thirdly, consider the packaging. Is it made of recycled materials, reusable, refillable, or recyclable itself? And last, do a little research about the brand’s manufacturing process – their energy use, wastewater management practices, and how they treat their employees.
One last final thought: Before you go SPF-free in pursuit of that Caribbean tan, please consider the safest and healthiest option for sun protection – an umbrella that will keep you out of the sun!
All products recommended to you on Successfully Sustainable are independently researched in depth. To avoid waste and lead a minimal lifestyle, we test products only when required. This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission. Learn more about this here.
