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May 30, 2022

How to Choose a Non-Toxic Sunscreen + My Personal Favorites

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As summer comes along, you might be wondering how to choose a non-toxic sunscreen. I’m here to give you resources for what to look for and what to avoid as well as my personal favorites. 

How to Choose a Non-Toxic Sunscreen + My Personal Favorites

Recently, so much more information has come out regarding our personal care items and their potentially harmful side effects. You certainly don’t want to be doing more harm than good when you slather up with sunguard! 

My hope is that by the end of this article, you feel empowered to choose not only which sunscreen is best for you, but when you should wear it, too.

We’ve been told to wear sunscreen daily, but should we?

Here’s something that might surprise you. I don’t wear sunscreen daily, and I actually don’t recommend it either.

In fact, I wrote an article on the 8 Reasons Why I Don’t Wear Daily Sunscreen. From adverse effects on the thyroid to a surprising increase in malignant cell development and beyond, I think you’ll find my 8 reasons for not wearing daily sunscreen incredibly compelling. 

I choose to boost my own ability to fight sun damage by strengthening my skin from the inside out. This means consuming plenty of whole food Vitamin A and D as well as powerful antioxidant foods. 

That said, if I’m going to be in the sun for an extended period of time or if I’m going to the beach, I will wear sunscreen. I just make sure to choose wisely!

UVA vs. UVB:

Most of us know that sunscreen protects us from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. There are two types of UV rays emitted from the sun, but what exactly is the difference?

    • Ultraviolet A (UVA) – has a longer wavelength, penetrates deeper into the skin, and is associated with skin aging, genetic damage and cancer
    • Ultraviolet B (UVB) – has a shorter wavelength, doesn’t penetrate as deep, and is associated with skin reddening and burning


A Surprising Note on SPF:

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. The number tells you how long the sun’s UVB rays would take to redden your skin if you apply the sunscreen compared with the amount of time without sunscreen. 

Did you catch that? SPF measures ONLY protection against UVB rays. However, as you read above, UVA rays are actually the deeper penetrating rays that are more commonly linked with skin cancer and aging. 

High SPF sunscreens tend to have worse UVA protection as compared with UVB protection.  For that reason and more, the FDA has deemed SPF sunscreens over 50 as “inherently misleading.”

You might be shocked to know sunscreen SPF is capped at 50 by European and Japanese regulators. Australia caps theirs at SPF 30! 

It’s so important to look at factors beyond SPF when choosing a sunscreen. 

Here are four of the most important factors I look at when choosing a non-toxic sunscreen:

1. Choose a Mineral Suncreen Over a Chemical Sunscreen.

Mineral sunscreens, such as those that use zinc as a sun protectant, work very differently than chemical sunscreens, which use chemicals such as oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, and octinoxate.

Mineral sunscreens sit on top of your skin and act as an actual physical barrier to the sun. 

Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, are absorbed into your skin (and are then often found in the bloodstream). Through a chemical reaction, they absorb and dissipate the sun’s UV rays.

Many of the chemicals used in chemical sunscreens are known irritants, carcinogens and endocrine disruptors. Further, some studies have shown that chemical sunscreens can increase risk for redness, inflammation, rosacea and hyperpigmentation. 

2. Be More Concerned With “Broad Spectrum” than SPF.

Broad spectrum sunscreen protects skin from both UVB and UVA rays. 

Rather than choosing a high SPF sunscreen that may not have great UVA protection, choose a broad spectrum that will protect against all damaging types of UV rays. 

3. Know Which Ingredients to Avoid and Which to Look For.

Avoid These Ingredients:

Octonoxate – linked to endocrine disruption, which can create hormone imbalance
Oxybenzone – an endocrine disruptor and
has been associated with lowering testosterone in teenage boys
Homosalate – has been linked to toxicity in the body.
Parabens and phthalates – endocrine disruptors, which can create hormone imbalance
Added insect repellent
Fragrance – often includes endocrine disruptor chemicals

*Note, it is also good to stay away from sunscreen aerosol sprays. Aerosol sprays often contain xylene and formaldehyde, which are known neurotoxins and carcinogens.

Look for This Instead:

Zinc Oxide – a white, powdery mineral used for sun protection

*Note, instead of aerosol sprays, look for sunscreen in the form of creams, lotions or sticks.

4. Check Your Choices Using EWG’s Skin Deep Database. 

The Environmental Working Group (EWG)’s Skin Deep database gives people solutions to protect themselves and their families from exposure to potentially toxic chemicals in personal care products. Skin Deep lists easy-to-navigate hazard ratings for nearly 70,000 products and 9,000 ingredients on the market.

The lower the rating in EWG’s database (on a scale of 1-10), the cleaner the product. I always like to ensure my products are right at a 1.

My hope is that you now feel empowered to pick a non-toxic sunscreen that best fits your lifestyle and needs! Here are some of my favorites:

thinksport Body and Face Sunscreen Stick, SPF 30 EWG score: 1
All Good Sports Sunscreen Butter Stick, SPF 50+ EWG score: 1
Badger Active Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30 EWG score: 1
This homemade sunscreen recipe

A Final Note on Safe (and Beneficial!) Sun Exposure

Safe sun exposure, which often means without sunscreen for a limited time, has actually been shown to be good for your health. It enhances Vitamin D production, is vital for circadian syncing, and more.

But is there a best time to be out in the sun?

Surprisingly, the sun provides different benefits at different times of the day.

Exposure to sun at sunrise, when UV is at its lowest, resetting your body’s circadian rhythm. With daily exposure to the sunrise, you’ll see benefits such as better sleep, more energy and improved focus.

Exposing your skin to the sun mid-morning (around 10am), when UV still hasn’t peaked, helps build up your melanin content. It can prep your skin to better handle peak-UV midday sun, which happens to be the most optimal time for vitamin D absorption. Mid-morning sunshine prep can be incredibly helpful in naturally protecting your skin from burning.

Finally, exposing yourself to the sun during the sunset, similarly to the sunrise, helps with setting your circadian rhythm. At that time, the spectrum has high levels of red and yellow wavelengths, which are calming and restorative.

I hope you can now see there is no need to fear or demonize the sun. But we have every reason to take care in choosing our means of sun protection!

The post was originally published in May 2018, and was updated May 2022. 

Posts may contain affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Filed Under: Thyroid Disease, Thyroid Disease | 16 Comments

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16 Comments

  1. Erin

    May 18, 2015 at 12:15 pm

    I just tried a new one called Garden Goddess. It has no smell at all and seems to not be greasy. It's 100% mineral sunscreen. I can't stand coconut or banana scented sunscreens!
    to Erin" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Erin'>Reply to this comment
  2. Annie

    May 18, 2015 at 12:26 pm

    Thank you so much for this list! When trying to find natural solutions to skincare, your budget is killed in the process. Would you have recommendations for bug repellants? We are going on a long camping vacation and I am getting stocked up! Thank you again.
    to Annie" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Annie'>Reply to this comment
    • Carrie Vitt

      May 19, 2015 at 9:59 am

      I like to use either doTERRA TerraShield essential oil blend or Badger Bug Repellant. TerraShield: http://bit.ly/deliciouslyorganicoils Badger - http://amzn.to/1GmKYL6
      to Carrie Vitt" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Carrie Vitt'>Reply to this comment
  3. stephanie joy

    May 18, 2015 at 12:28 pm

    another great company mysticrootscreations.com/product/sunscreen-with-spf-up-to-50/
    to stephanie joy" aria-label='Reply to this comment to stephanie joy'>Reply to this comment
  4. Rachael Abel @ Love Yourself Green

    May 18, 2015 at 1:46 pm

    My hubs just pulled out our old, chemical-laden sunscreen yesterday and I said, PLEASE don't use that - let's find something else. So this was perfect timing!! Thanks so much!!!
    to Rachael Abel @ Love Yourself Green" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Rachael Abel @ Love Yourself Green'>Reply to this comment
    • Carrie Vitt

      May 19, 2015 at 9:56 am

      You're welcome!
      to Carrie Vitt" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Carrie Vitt'>Reply to this comment
  5. Heather Dohan

    May 18, 2015 at 3:23 pm

    Hi Carrie, I really enjoy your website. Thank you for your great recipes, tips, etc. Because my daughter has such severe allergies, I became a consultant for Beautycounter. Their mission is so important to me. Right in line with your beliefs. Greg Renfrew's goal is to get safe products into the hands of everyone. I am not here to sell you anything. Just wanted you to have another alternative for your family. Check out our sunscreen and other products. I think you will love them. Check out the App, "Skin Deep" by the EWG. All our products are rated a 2 or below. Thank you for your time. In good health, Heather
    to Heather Dohan" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Heather Dohan'>Reply to this comment
  6. Caroline French

    May 18, 2015 at 7:31 pm

    Thank you!!! We are about to go on a trip and I had on my list to research better sunscreen options. Does #1 stay on well for being active and also in the water?
    to Caroline French" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Caroline French'>Reply to this comment
    • Carrie Vitt

      May 19, 2015 at 9:55 am

      It stayed on great in the water for us. I've used Badger for many years and that one is tried and true for staying on with excessive sweating and/or being in the water.
      to Carrie Vitt" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Carrie Vitt'>Reply to this comment
  7. Mel

    June 3, 2015 at 12:05 pm

    I love this list! However I'm not much of an online shopper and hardly go to Amazon. If I want to buy something I like to instant gratification. Can you get any of these products in a retail store? When I'm packing for vacation, it's usually at the last minute.
    to Mel" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Mel'>Reply to this comment
    • Carrie Vitt

      June 3, 2015 at 12:55 pm

      I've never seen many of these brands in the store, so if you're health food store doesn't carry them, it might be best to purchase online.
      to Carrie Vitt" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Carrie Vitt'>Reply to this comment
    • Victoria Alexander

      July 28, 2015 at 10:49 am

      We have the #1 choice in our Texas Central Markets and HEB stores. You can always ask your local health food stores to bring in the brand. I actually represent the #1 choice at the stores in Texas. Badger is sold at most Sprouts and Whole Foods. Thanks for the great article!
      to Victoria Alexander" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Victoria Alexander'>Reply to this comment
  8. Katie

    July 28, 2015 at 2:04 pm

    I've been loving my Ava Anderson Non-toxic sunscreen!
    to Katie" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Katie'>Reply to this comment
  9. Brenda

    February 3, 2016 at 11:47 am

    I personally use Sun Worshiper Sunscreen they are an all Organic Sunscreen that is 100% Natural and safe for even my Kids. I found them on sunworshipersunscreen.com
    to Brenda" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Brenda'>Reply to this comment

Trackbacks

  1. 8 Reasons Why I Don't Wear Daily Sunscreen - Deliciously Organic says:
    February 26, 2019 at 10:05 am
    […] My Favorite Organic, Natural SunscreensHow to Get Enough Calcium from Your Diet9 Ways Stress is Destroying Your Health and How to Break FreeWholesome Baby Food and Little Green PouchEssential Oils for Back-to-School […]
    to 8 Reasons Why I Don't Wear Daily Sunscreen - Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to 8 Reasons Why I Don't Wear Daily Sunscreen - Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
  2. Saturday Meanderings | Life at Bella Terra says:
    June 25, 2022 at 11:20 am
    […] you. Her post is filled with great information as to when you should wear it, too. You can see it here. Spend some time on her website as I know you will enjoy Carrie’s wealth of knowledge on […]
    to Saturday Meanderings | Life at Bella Terra" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Saturday Meanderings | Life at Bella Terra'>Reply to this comment

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Through unprocessed, organic food and detox I’ve reversed Hashimoto’s disease, chronic migraines, IBS and eczema.

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