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There are two types of sunscreens out there:
A) One type simply sits on top of skin and reflects harmful rays back at the sun and away from your body.
B) The other type absorbs the harmful rays into your skin and then performs a chemical reaction to neutralize the dangers.
Which one do you want on your skin?
Probably A, am I right?
Type A is called a natural (or mineral) sunscreen, while type B is a chemical sunscreen.
Who wants to travel with chemical filled sunscreens these days? They’re not only horrible for coral reefs, but recent studies show that the chemicals inside these sunscreens can interfere with normal hormone and thyroid processes in the body. Ain’t nobody got time for that!
In Feb 2019 the FDA actually announced that 12 chemicals commonly used in chemical-based sunscreens need more research to determine if they’re can be officially listed as safe, including oxybenzone and octinoxate.
This is exactly why people are making the shift to natural and mineral based sunscreens.
This blog will help you discover some widely popular and well-reviewed brands of natural sunscreen so you can have them in your suitcase the next time you travel.
And by the way, mineral-based natural sunscreens protect you from UVA and UVB just as well as chemical sunscreens, but without all the toxicity. If chemical sunscreen can damage the DNA of an 8000 year old coral reef, what is it doing to our bodies? Making the switch to natural sunscreen is something you’ll wish you did sooner.
The 8 Best Natural Sunscreens For Travel in 2019
Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen
This little Australian Gold tube has it all! Not only is it chemical free, but it also goes on without a greasy finish, contains a tint that evens complexion and has added antioxidants and vitamins to nourish the skin. It’s also easy on the wallet, being one of the lowest priced (and well-rated) mineral sunscreens on the market.
SPF: 50
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 4%, Zinc Oxide 4%
Pros: Works well on sensitive skin, is cruelty free, and is water resistant.
Cons: The matte finish can look cakey on dry skin. Slight white cast on darker skin tones.
Price: Around $10-$12 USD
Thinkbaby
This mineral sunscreen from Thinkbaby only contains 20% non-nano zinc oxide as the active ingredient, leaving out the titanium dioxide to keep it baby-safe. It’s water resistant up to 80 minutes and dermatologist recommended for both the face and body.
SPF: 50
Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 20%
Pros: Smells good naturally, almost a light citrus or cucumber scent. Super clean formula with a high zinc oxide percentage.
Cons: Can take a little while to rub in fully (try it in layers) and can leave a slight white cast on some skin tones.
Price: Around $15 USD
Juice Beauty Stem Cellular CC Cream
Great choice for anyone wanting slight coverage and color, but also significant sun protection! Unlike other non-nano zinc oxide products, this Juice Beauty CC cream is olive/tan skin-tone friendly and won’t leave a white cast. It’s also packed with other organic and natural ingredients, rich in vitamins and skin-soothing properties.
SPF: 30
Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 20%
Pros: Gives slight coverage and color, reduces appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, evens out skin tone.
Cons: Smell doesn’t work with some people & coverage is weaker than expected, more like a BB cream than a CC cream.
Price: Around $35-$40 USD
Colorscience Sunforgettable Brush
Colorscience’s mineral powder sunscreen comes highly recommended by many dermatologists because of how gentle it is for sensitive skin and how easy it is to apply. Since it goes on as a matte powder, it’s very convenient to apply multiple times throughout the day, especially on top of already done makeup. It also provides protection for blue light and infrared radiation on top of UVA/UVB rays.
SPF: 50
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 22.5%; Zinc Oxide 22.5%
Pros: Super convenient way to add more SPF on the go. Easy to store in purse or small travel bag. Comes in 4 shades.
Cons: Some users say the powder gets stuck behind the brush and won’t come out properly and is expensive for amount of product you get.
Price: Around $65 USD
Supergoop! Daily Correct CC Cream
Wow, Supergoop made a fan favorite out of their mineral-based tinted CC cream. It’s one of the highest rated natural sunscreens on Amazon with 4.5 stars out of 750+ reviews. Users love it because it gives coverage without clogging pores, is made from natural ingredients (like apple extract and red seaweed) and is perfect for everyday use.
SPF: 35
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide (2%), Zinc Oxide (20%)
Pros: Reasonably priced considering it’s a CC cream and mineral SPF in one. Its buildable, lasts throughout the day, and is sensitive skin friendly.
Cons: Can be harder to blend on super fair/light skin.
Price: Around $65 USD
Babo Botanicals Zinc Sport Stick
Babo Botanicals made this zinc stick with the whole family in mind. It’s made with such mild and natural ingredients that you can feel safe applying it to the face, ears, and even lips! The formula is hypoallergenic and is loaded with skin enriching ingredients like shea butter, avocado oil, jojoba oil and cacao butter.
SPF: 30
Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 15%
Pros:Product has a low white cast, rubs in easily and very convenient for applying on the go.
Cons: Can be a little sticky/tacky for some. Not as water resistant as other mineral sunscreens.
Price: Around $13 USD
Coola Mineral Face Matte Moisturizer
Finally, a facial sunscreen to help battle shine from oily skin. This matte mineral-based lotion is SPF 30, leaves a lightly-tinted finish, and is made specifically for people with combination to oily skin. It’s light whipped texture is easy to rub in, goes on smoothly, doesn’t leave a white cast, and dries matte.
SPF: 30
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 3.2% and Zinc Oxide 1.8%
Pros: Water resistant, gentle enough for daily use, and contains antioxidants like rose hip oil.
Cons:Not a lot of sun protection when compared to other mineral sunscreens.
Price: Around $30 USD
All Good Kids Combo Pack
The ultimate sunscreen pack for kids and active adults. The 50 SPF stick gives extra sun and wind protection on the face, while the 30 SPF lotion is great for swimming and easier to apply all over the rest of the body. Both products are coral reef safe, made from zinc oxide, gluten free and vegan.
SPF: 30-50
Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 16%-25%
Pros: Made with soothing coconut oil and chamomile. Thick enough to protect skin but doesn’t leave a sticky or cakey texture.
Cons: People with drier skin will have to moisturize beforehand in order for product to apply nicely.
Price: Around $30 USD
Making the switch to a natural and mineral based sunscreen is easy, but you’ll want to plan ahead before your next trip. The availability of natural sunscreens in foreign countries has not yet caught up to the demand. Most resorts and tourist shops still sell extortionately priced chemical-based SPFs and haven’t yet made the switch to offer natural alternatives. Even in places that straight up ban the use of chemical sunscreens, like Hawaii and Key West, might not have a huge mineral stockpile available.
The 8 Best Natural Sunscreens For Travel in 2019
- Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen
- Thinkbaby
- Juice Beauty Stem Cellular CC Cream
- Colorscience Sunforgettable Brush
- Supergoop Daily Correct CC Cream
- Babo Botanicals Sport Stick
- Coola Mineral Face Matte
- All Good Kids Combo Pack
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