Last Updated on April 14, 2026 by Ashleigh Pinkerton
It’s good to be in the sun each day without sunscreen for a limited time to increase production of vitamin D. But what about those times we want to be in the sun for a long period of time? Choosing a good sunscreen can be tricky because of the many chemical ingredients in them. “The FDA announced it would regulate sunscreens back in 1978. The most recent version of its proposed rules came out in 2007. Those proposed regulations still aren’t final. Until they are, sunscreen makers are not required to verify that their sunscreens work, test for SPF protection, check waterproof claims or provide UVA protection.” – The Environmental Working Group.
The EWG (Environmental Working Group) has published a guide to sunscreen so you can find the safest one(s) for your family. Here are a few of my favorites:
Caribbean Sol offers good protection and isn’t too greasy.
This sunscreen by Alba Botanica goes on easy. My kids prefer this one.
This California Baby sunscreen is great to slip in your pocket or purse.
Keep in mind that because these sunscreens are made with a mineral base they may leave a bit of a white cast on your skin. It soaks in eventually.
What are your thoughts on sunscreen? Do you have a favorite natural sunscreen?
My fav sunscreen is Mercola’s… and I love how he also provides dietary supplements for when you know you are going to be in the sun for long periods of time… like eat lots of whole veggies and getting Omega-3 fats! Great post Carrie!
I’ve never seen his line of products. I’ll have to check them out! Yes, eating lots of whole foods and getting plenty of good fats helps protect the skin too!
I usually use coconut oil but if we are going to be out for a good amount of time, like you I use Alba and California Baby.
I use coconut oil too sometimes. Do you feel it works just as well as sunscreen?
We use Badger sunscreen and love it. Bought it online before, but Publix here in Alabama carries it next to the Burt’s Bees stuff.
Thanks for this post! I already bought the first two you mentioned so I am glad to know we are on the right track. I feel like sunscreen ingredients are a lot harder to dissect than food ingredients! I really hope you tackle bug sprays next 🙂
Bug spray is next on my list. 🙂
One other question…how often do you feel you have to reapply the Caribbean Sol and Alba brands? Some of the “natural” sunscreens say they last 30 minutes and I would spend the entire time putting sunscreen on us if that were the case!
We only use sunscreen if we are going to spend several hours or more in the sun (I’ve found that a whole food diet has changed the way our skin reacts to the sun. We barely burn and rarely even need sunscreen!) For instance, if we are going to the beach I let the kids play outside for an hour or so then we take a break and apply sunscreen. I’ll apply again after 1 1/2 hours or so. I’ve found they all work more than 30 minutes.
I will have to try the Alba. Last summer we used Soleo Organics, which I thought went on pretty easily and soaked in well, and lasted a long time in the water. We also have some California Baby in a pump that is very convenient to keep out – sometimes I will just put some on faces because we are very fair. We have to do long sleeve rash guards if we are going to be in the water all day, we burn so easily!
I’ve always been a fan on Alba cosmetics!
Carrie, this is great information. We are always on the look out for good, natural sunscreens. Especially here in the land of constant sunshine 🙂
I’ve been avoiding sunscreen like the plague for far too long cause I don’t like what it’s made of and the greasy factor. I’m not out in the sun too often for extended periods of time so it’s usually not a big deal, but this Summer I’d really like to be out more with the baby and do some fun things. I need to look into more healthy sunscreens for the baby…not sure if these are baby safe…but I’ll definitely look into them for myself. Thanks for the info!!
Gail
All of the California Baby products are great for babies and toddlers. The EWG site also has a list of sunscreens safe for kids.
I love Badger Balm Sunscreen! It smells heavenly and sticks on skin really well … which is important when your toddler is running all over the place 🙂
Love Badger products too!
We’ve started using Blue Lizard Sensitive SPF 30. It goes on very easily, has a great rating from EGW, the kids love it because the white bottle turns dark blue in the presence of UV rays.
Our oldest, who has always hated sunscreen application, will happily submit because “the bottle is blue, Mommy!”
It’s a little pricey ($30+ for an 8.75oz bottle), but our main method of sunscreen is to just stay out of the sun. When we do venture out into the Florida heat, we do so in the early morning or late afternoon/evening, wear hats, and try to stay in the shade.
I bought Blue Lizard and never realized it turned blue! That’s a great way to tell if it’s a good time to be out.
I am cautious around sunscreen – are any of the ones you recommend waterproof? It’s always good for the kids to be covered up as much as is comfortable at the beach – long sleeved tops – and hats with flaps – my mother would send over great versions from Australia thanks to the Australian Cancer Society they are very on top of this. Rémy now feels he’s ‘naked’ if he’s not wearing a rash top and long shorts!
Most of these stay on in the water for quite a long time because of the zinc. I don’t know if they are officially “waterproof”, but they protect my family’s skin very well in the water. I agree with the rash top and shorts. So easy, and no sunscreen needed!
You have the monopoly on useful information-aren’t moopnloeis illegal? 😉
We use Heiko sunscreen but it is not listed on the EWG site so it’s hard to know where exactly it stands in comparison to the ones you (and the EWG) recommend. However, I do like that it is slightly tinted to “skin-tone” so that you don’t notice the zinc film as much (maybe the ones you mention are as well.) I only purchased Heiko because it was the best option available in the health food store in my city, but I’ve been really impressed! My 18 month old daughter has super sensitive skin but does really well with it.
Ok, more to add… I just found the Heiko sunscreen listed on the EWG original cosmetic database, it just can’t be found in the sunscreen guide. Odd. Well, they’ve given the SPF 40 Kids sunscreen a rating of 1, so that’s good to know. The SPF 30 that I use myself isn’t listed though but has the same ingredients, just a lower percentage of zinc (25% for SPF 40, 14% for SPF 30).
I’ve never used Heiko. I’ll have to give it a try!
This post from SafeMama might interest you. It also refers to the EWG’s “safe” sunscreen list: http://safemama.com/2011/05/26/ewgs-sunscreen-report-helpful-or-harmful/
Thanks. I’ll check it out!
I’ve not yet found a natural line of sunscreen that I like but I have tried some of the other Alba products so I will have to check out their sunscreen.
You may enjoy this post:
http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2010/07/20/natural-sunscreen-review-do-mineral-based-sunblocks-work-2/
have you heard of ava anderson?
I haven’t. I’ll have to check it out.
We have been using Loving Naturals sunscreen lotion. It is rated as the safest on EWG’s database. I had been using California Baby, but found this easier to apply. LN also makes a sunscreen stick that I’m trying this year. I’ll let you know how it goes. EWG is such a great resource for all things skin related. I check before I buy anything (soap, lotion, etc.) on the kids.
I just found out about Loving Naturals last week. Can’t wait to try their products.
Great information on safe sunscreens. As a chiropractor in Springville, Utah I’m constantly looking for ways to improve the overall health of my patients. Obviously there are healthy foods which one should be eating to reduce the effects of the sun, but having good sucreen products that are safe is good when one will be in the sun for a long time. Good review on some safe brands of sunscreen.
We are allergic to the chemicals in almost all sunscreens and found Loving Naturals to be greasy. My son and I love EcoSensitive and the Carribean Sol for our body but use the Badger Face Stick for, yes, our faces. Amazon and Vitacost have good prices.
Heavenly Homemakers linked me here and I am so happy. Your cookbook is one I want to own soon.
Well can I just say that Alba Botanica is not just for kids, I have used it and it was pretty good. Some of us are pretty fair-skinned and really need an spf of 30 or more.
I normally use a Banana Boat 50 spf lotion for when I’m out in the sun for hours and hours on end. I will stick with that for the long hours.
We use the Badger line, have for years and love it.
Shea butter is a great natural moisturizer and it gives you sunscreen protection (only about SPF 8 but it’s good if you are looking for something without chemicals).