12 Top-Rated Environmentally-Friendly Sunscreens on Amazon
The Big Picture: Sunscreen and Our Oceans
Did you know that every year, approximately 14,000 tons of sunscreen end up in our oceans? Yep, you read that right!
And while sunscreen is crucial for protecting our skin from harmful UV rays, many conventional sunscreens contain chemicals that can seriously harm marine life, especially our beautiful coral reefs. Keep reading to discover our 12 top-rated environmentally-friendly sunscreens on Amazon.
Some enviromentally-aware countries now ban the use of the most damaging sunscreen ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate—but we still need to keep an eye out when purchasing!
Coral reefs are like the rainforests of the ocean – they’re teeming with life and play a vital role in maintaining the health of our oceans. However, some common sunscreen ingredients, such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, can cause coral bleaching. This means that corals lose their vibrant colors and vital symbiotic algae, essentially turning them ghostly white. Over time, bleached corals can die, disrupting marine ecosystems and the countless species that depend on them.
Moreover, these chemicals don’t just harm coral reefs. They can also affect fish and other marine organisms, causing reproductive issues and even disrupting their development.
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The List from HEL
Unfortunaly there are more harmful chemicals and ingredients beyond the dreaded octs and oxys. The Haereticus Environmental Laboratory (HEL) is a non-profit scientific organization dedicated to increasing the scientific, social and economic knowledge of natural environmental habitats in order to better conserve and restore threatened environmental habitats.
They have created a list of chemicals foften found in suncreens that are known pollutants in many different environments (freshwater streams, river, beaches, and ocean systems) or wildlife (e.g., corals, fish, birds, marine mammals, sea turtles).
Check Labels and Avoid:
- Oxybenzone
- Octinoxate
- Octocrylene
- Homosalate
- 4-methylbenzylidene camphor
- PABA
- Parabens
- Triclosan
- Any form of microplastic, such as “exfoliating beads”
HEL also offers a “Protect Land and Sea” label to products and companies that do not contain harmful pollutants.
Stream2Sea
Certs: EWG-verified, HEL Protect Land + Sea, Safe Sunscreen Council
Ethos: “When Autumn Blum, an avid scuba diver and cosmetic chemist, saw an oil slick coming off a group of snorkelers in Palau, she realized that the products we put on our bodies could be highly toxic to our fragile aquatic ecosystem and knew she had to do something about it.”
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Woman-owned
- Non-greasy formula
- Comes in sticks, salves, and lip balms
Badger
Certs: B-Corp, HEL Protect Land + Sea
Ethos: “We choose ingredients that are minimally processed and grown in nature, still brimming with life force and nourishing nutrients. We are organic fanatics, and are passionate advocates for regenerative and sustainable agriculture.”
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Women and family owned
- Manufactured using 100% solar-power
- An OG in the natural, environmentally friendly skincare game
MANDA
Certs: Certified-Organic, Cruelty-Free
Ethos: “Born from a love of being in the sun and the near death of a family member from skin cancer, MANDA is on a mission to provide organic, food grade sun care solutions that actually work. As life long surfers, athletes, and outdoor lovers, we know a good sunscreen needs to last in all conditions.”
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Made with food-grade ingredients
- Good for kids and sports
- Bio-plastic tubing made from sugar cane
Pipette
Certs: EWG-Verified, Cruelty-Free, NEA-Accepted
Ethos: “Our performance-driven products are created in our labs by top scientists with decades of experience. We ban over 2,000 potentially irritating ingredients, and anything that goes in our formulas is ethically sourced, safe, and gentle.”
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Made for the sensitive skin of babies, great for adults too
- Fast absorbing
- No white cast
Suntegrity
Certs: Champion EWG-Verified, USDA Bio-Based Product, Cruelty-Free
Ethos: “Founded after the owner’s mother died of skin cancer. Products use only the best known physical block ingredient (non-nano size zinc oxide) to provide broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and super anti-oxidants and amino acids to enhance that protection and help with skin repair.”
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Woman-owned
- Non-greasy formula
- Easily absorbs and no white cast
ATTITUDE
Certs: , EWG-Verified, Vegan & Cruelty-Free, ECOLOGO
Ethos: “We’re on a mission to make the world a healthier, more sustainable place to live for a better future. We design high quality personal and household care products to be better for your body and our planet.
We believe in using clean and natural ingredients, in reducing the use of plastic and in planting trees to restore our planet.”
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Plastic-free packaging and eco-refills
- Company has planted 1.5 million trees
Babo Botanicals
Certs: EWG-Verified, Cruelty-Free, B-Corp
Ethos: “At Babo Botanicals, we believe even the smallest actions are opportunities to live in better harmony with nature—and with each other. Through our everyday actions, we make a positive impact on our planet. From recycling and conserving water to using more natural personal care and household products, these choices have a cumulative impact on our shared environment.”
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Made with 24 plant-based ingredients
- Fast absorbing
- Water Resistant (80 Minutes)
ThinkSun
Certs: EWG-Verified, No Animal Testing, Vegan and Cruelty-Free
Ethos: “Founder Kevin Brodwick, who was well known for his extensive experience working in a lab funded by the National Institutes of Health, attempted to raise awareness among corporations, but their indifference left him astonished. Brodwick therefore decided to create his own line of non-toxic baby products prioritizing health and safety, so Think was born.“
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Sweat and water resistant (80 Minutes)
- No white cast
- Includes aloe and jojoba
Blue Lizard
Certs: Reef-Safe
Ethos: “For over 20 years, Blue Lizard has created mineral
and mineral-based sunscreens for everyone.
Every Blue Lizard Sunscreen begins with the mineral Zinc Oxide, which provides broad spectrum sun protection. Zinc Oxide protects you by forming a protective layer on top of your skin and scattering UV rays away from your body. This mineral active ingredient is gentle enough for every member of your family.“
HIGHLIGHTS:
- No parabens and no fragrances.
- 20 years in the mineral sunscreen game
All Good
Certs: 1% For The Planet, B-Corp, Cruelty-Free, Climate-Neutral
Ethos: “All Good’s journey began in the ’90s when founder Caroline crafted her first batch of plant-based hand salve, All Good Goop, from simple, organic ingredients for her community of adventurers.
Today, as the company grows, its commitment deepens—pledging to live in harmony with nature and to be diligent stewards of the environment.“
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Lightweight, non-greasy
- Contains coconut oil, jojoba oil, and shea butter
- Water Resistant (80 Minutes)
GoodSpreader
Certs: Hawaii’s Act 104 standards, No Animal Testing, Vegan and Cruelty-Free, Plastic-Neutral
Ethos: “To make better-for-you skincare products that not only make your skin feel ridiculously good, but also contribute to a sustainable lifestyle. We’re committed to celebrating diversity, promoting healthy living, and combating overconsumption by offering universal products that generate less waste compared to specialized ones.”
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Sweat and water resistant (80 Minutes)
- Rubs in Clear
- 50% Recycled Packaging
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