The Best Clean Sunscreens

The sunscreen category is innovating quickly, much to my relief. Gone are the days of inferior, thick, pore-clogging goops in tubes. I’m here for the bloom of beautiful, thoughtfully-formulated sunscreens that pair sun protection and skincare with clean, non-toxic ingredients.

There are two types of sunscreens: physical and chemical. Physical sunscreen uses naturally-occurring minerals like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that sit on top of your skin and act as a physical shield to deflect the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. Chemical sunscreens use active chemical filters like avobenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, and oxybenzone that absorb into your skin, transform UV rays into heat, and release them from your body. There are pros and cons to each, but the short conclusion is that UV protection is extremely important for your health, so always wear sunblock when you're going out for the day. But a little research goes a long way in keeping your skin healthy while protected.

For sensitive and acne-prone skin, mineral sunscreen is best. It is less likely to clog pores and cause irritation when compared to the chemical counterparts that get absorbed. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are rated completely safe and non-toxic because there's no absorption and effect on your body’s function, whereas according to the EWG, chemical filters have been found to densely accumulate in your bloodstream, especially when used consistently day-to-day. The three chemical ingredients avobenzone, octinoxate, octisalate have not been sufficiently studied to find any harm or toxicity within the body, but oxybenzone has been found to be absorbed 100 times more than the former three and has shown to cause irritation, allergies, and hormone disruption. Oxybenzone must certainly be avoided, but unfortunately you will find it in the most common sunscreens on the market. Always check the back label for active ingredients when shopping for sunscreen. Additionally, mineral sunscreen is much safer and cleaner for the environment and are ocean-friendly - chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate have been found to be damaging to coral reefs. A common issue I have with sunscreen is the way it feels on my skin as being the last step of my morning skincare regimen. All too often, the formula was too drying, or was clogging my acne-prone skin, or left a visible white cast on my face. Mineral sunscreen tends to have the white cast and be drier, while chemical sunscreen lends to a lighter, readily-absorbing formula. You can see why brands choose one over the other for their SPF product. But the market for mineral sunscreen has come a long way and the search was on for my holy grail. Did I find it? Maybe. I might still be holding out for the perfect one for me, but I’ve found a few gems along the way.

──────── The first clean sunscreen that changed my life is Kari Gran Essential Three Sixty Five SPF 28. If you are as dedicated to face oils as I am, you will obsess over this beautiful formula that douses your skin in rich oils with mineral sun protection. The ingredients list is incredibly short and sweet, with only six oils like red raspberry seed oil, plum seed oil, and avocado oil that prepare your skin with nourishment and moisture as they carry the zinc oxide to rest on top. The oil-based formula just feels so good on my skin and it is unlike any sunscreen I’ve ever tried, still to this day. I’ll put Kari Gran on after I let my Vintner’s Daughter Active Serum soak in for a couple minutes or sometimes I’ll skip my face oil altogether and just put on Kari Gran when I know I’m leaving the house. ────────

To maximize sun protection in your product, you need to use a half teaspoon, or nickel-sized dollop, of product for your face(!). Actually measure that out and you’ll see that it’s a ton of product to slather on. Most people, including myself, use half that amount and that is why it’s recommended to use products with a higher SPF (ideally SPF 50) to maximize the sun protection you can get from putting on less. This is also why it’s imperative to reapply after two hours and to think of sun protection as a wholesome practice, including wearing a hat and sunglasses outdoors.

──────── Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 is also a highly unique formula that is skincare, makeup, and sun protection all fused into one. The basis of the product is an ultra-hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and squalane. Then there’s the light wash of color that evens out your skin tone and leaves a natural, dewy finish. It provides SPF 40 coverage with zinc oxide. Super Serum Skin Tint really just eliminates so many extra steps from your regimen! Is this the perfect sunscreen? Pretty close, like insanely minutely close. If Ilia were to make an untinted version, that would be my holy grail. ────────

──────── Nuori Mineral Defense Facial Cream SPF 30 is the perfect cream SPF. It is moisturizing, soft, and rich in natural antioxidant protection. It settles down to a semi-matte finish that makes for a perfectly smooth canvas for makeup without being drying. While this isn’t a tinted formula, the cream is not starkly white as many other sunscreens are; there’s a slight warm, peachy hue to it that makes it blend into skin more naturally. ────────

──────── Dr. Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 is the one chemical sunscreen I love to use. Don't worry, this one is oxybenzone-free. I've been incorporating more Sturm products into my regimen, including the iconic Hyaluronic Serum, and honestly the Sun Drops feel just like the Hyaluronic Serum because it does have her famed combination of hyaluronic acid and purslane extract, so I like to use Sun Drops to compound the amazing ingredients with added SPF. It absorbs beautifully into my skin and leaves it so dewy and plump. This has not shown any irritation on my skin at all. Sun Drops is a gorgeous formula that I highly recommend trying especially for those who need hydration in their regimen. ────────

Two honorable mentions go to Versed Guards Up Daily Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 35 and EleVen Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 35. Versed is a clean, creamy SPF, similar to Nuori Mineral Defense, that comes with an affordable price tag. EleVen Unrivaled Sun Serum is a lightweight, quick-absorbing sunscreen that is completely transparent. This is one of those products that I wanted desperately to love and work for me because it has such a nice silky, smooth finish, but the only reason I don't use it often is because there must be something in the inactive ingredients that cause me to breakout with a small zit or two. I don't put off products to anyone just because I individually react a certain way. Everyone’s skin is so uniquely different and you may find you'll love EleVen for yourself, so I had to share it because I've also heard raving reviews from other friends.

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