When it comes to sun protection, it is ethically ideal to opt for products that not only safeguard our skin but also prevent any damage to the environment. Hence, today’s beauty industry is gravitating towards the best sunscreens without oxybenzone and octinoxate, as these chemical filters have been notorious for causing damage to marine life. Research suggests that oxybenzone used in sunscreens and other beauty products causes the coral reef to degrade by depositing onto them as toxic goop (1). This activity threatens the survival of these aquatic animals, posing a severe risk to the oceanic ecosystem. Our contributor Dr. Chaudhry, who is a UK-based board-certified dermatologist explains, ”Non-nano zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are examples of mineral sun filters that are considered reef-safe. They are less likely to cause coral bleaching compared to chemical filters like oxybenzone.”

“Chemical sunscreens (including oxybenzone) absorb to some degree into your bloodstream”, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Sam Ellis. And while in some cases they are more cosmetically elegant and suitable for more skin types, they are viewed with suspicion by some dermatologists due to the potential hormonal imbalance they may cause. This property of these products also makes them a less suitable option for pregnant and lactating people, which is enough reason for one to look for sunscreens without benzenes and similar ingredients.

To help you find a sublime SPF lotion that fits this criterion while also having other benefits that you commonly look for, we have curated the following list of our product recommendations below. Scroll away to find your favorite pick!

• 1
  Best Oil-free Formula

  Neutrogena Clear Face Oil-free Sunscreen

  Buy on Amazon

What makes this product by Neutrogena a holy grail of sunscreens is that it has a delectable, water-light texture that miraculously absorbs into your skin, without feeling like you’ve even applied any product! This chemical sunscreen is formulated without oxybenzone and octinoxate, making it skin-friendly and reef-friendly. Additionally, it contains excellent humectants such as caprylyl glycol and bisabolol that boost hydration in your skin — so you can skip wearing moisturizer when you’re running late. Plus, you don’t have to worry about getting any tacky white residue with this commendable product.

2

Best Certified Organic Sunscreen

COOLA Classic Body Organic Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 - Guava Mango

Buy on Amazon

The benefits of this oxybenzone-free body sunscreen by COOLA are too many to count! To begin with, it has a non-greasy and lightweight texture that practically melts onto your skin — something most sunscreens don’t provide! It is formulated with organic sun filters, which are cosmetically elegant and don’t leave a tacky residue — hence, more preferable for people of color. It is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, which is a huge green flag for people living in humid regions or off for beach retreats. Plus, the product is fairly nourishing, and your skin will feel rather comforted after you apply it!

3

CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

Buy on Amazon

Those who prefer having a “lean” skincare routine, free from layers and layers of formulas cannot miss out on this mineral-based sunscreen. This is because the product contains the goodness of niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and three essential ceramides, which are CeraVe’s star ingredients to moisturize, replenish, and pamper your skin. Also, this sunscreen is formulated without avobenzone, oxybenzone, and octinoxate — protecting not only your skin but also the environment from damage. As this product is meticulously developed by dermatologists, you can rest assured about its safety and miraculous skin benefits.

4

Best Tinted Sunscreen

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield SPF 50 - Bronze

Buy on Amazon

A holy grail product for skin of color, this tinted oxybenzone-free sunscreen by Colorscience has several benefits that make it worth every buck! To begin with, it has a silky consistency that blends like a dream and improves your complexion — so you can give your skin a rest from makeup products once in a while. The formula harnesses the power of active zinc oxide, which is a preferable mineral filter for acne-prone and sensitive skin as well as pregnant and post-partum mothers. And, you’ll be delighted to know that the product is free from nasties such as parabens, mineral oil, and strong synthetic fragrances. 

5

Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Sunscreen Lotion

Buy on Amazon

It may seem ironic that this chemical sunscreen is plush with natural ingredients, but the benefits it provides for your skin are quite insane. With emollients such as mango seed butter, shea butter, and revitalizing fruit extracts infused in it, the product mollycoddles your skin and feels oh-so-good! Our findings show that this sunscreen is made without zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, so you can trust that it leaves “zero white casts”, as many users delightfully say. In less than ten dollars, you get a generous quantity of this marvelous formula that protects your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays — meaning, you’re all set for the season!

6

Best for Even Application

Alba Botanica Hawaiian Coconut Sunscreen Spray

Buy on Amazon

You will not only get sublime sun protection but also get a beachy vibe, anytime and anywhere with this spray as it has a comforting coconut fragrance to indulge your senses. This oxybenzone-free sunscreen spray settles evenly on your skin and absorbs like a dream, leaving no greasy residue whatsoever. Your skin will love how the formula feels as it contains invigorating extracts of coconut, apricot, chamomile, and ginkgo biloba to name a few. To boot, it has an intensely nourishing formula that softens your skin’s texture and simply feels luxurious.

7

Best Non-comedogenic Physical Sunscreen

EltaMD UV Pure Face And Body Physical Sunscreen

Buy on Amazon

Perfect for super-humid climates, this physical sunscreen does not budge with sweat or moisture and stays put for a long time. The formula is safe for kids, adults, pregnant/lactating people, and the environment alike as it is free from chemical UV filters and nasties such as denatured alcohol, fragrance, and mineral oil. Furthermore, the formula offers added protection from free radicals and environmental aggressors by leveraging the properties of vitamin C. While the sunscreen may be priced a bit like a luxury product, our research indicates that it is worth every buck owing to its skin-loving properties.

8

Best Tinted Sunscreen

MDSolarSciences SPF 30 Mineral Tinted Creme

Buy on Amazon

It doesn’t hurt if your daily sunscreen can also be used like a makeshift CC cream, just like this product by MDSolraSciences does. The product goes on smoothly over your skin, thereby boosting your complexion and subtly covering imperfections, so you can look your best. This physical sunscreen is made without oxybenzone and octinoxate and has a no-nonsense formula, which makes it quite safe for daily use. However, it does contains some marvelous ingredients such as green tea and pomegranate extracts that soothes and hydrates your skin (2) (3). After trying out this product, we can confidently say that it is a holy grail beauty product that your shelf desperately needs!

9

Best Natural Fragrance

Badger Kids Mineral Sunscreen Cream SPF 40

Buy on Amazon

If there’s any sunscreen that has fantastically tapped on the power of nature to provide the best for your skin, it is this product by Badger. Formulated with plush natural ingredients such as tangerine oil, vanilla extracts, etc., the product energizes and pampers your skin to prepare it to face a new day! It offers the perfect protective formulation your little one needs for their summer camp or beach day with friends. And if your kid hates to be smothered with too much product, then you’re in luck as a little quantity of this oxybenzone-free sunscreen goes a really long way.

10

Best Advanced Packaging

Blue Lizard Australian Sensitive Sunscreen with Broad-Spectrum SPF 50

Buy on Amazon

Consisting of active ingredients such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, this physical sunscreen is made without avobenzone, oxybenzone, and octinoxate — a reef-friendly choice to safeguard your skin. It provides UVA and UVB protection, which ensures you don’t get sunburned regardless of how nasty the weather outside is. Most users of this product say that it is an excellent choice for sensitive skin as it does not tingle or burn around the eyes or cause any itching or rashes, unlike many drugstore sunscreens. Moreover, our findings show that the cap of the tube changes color when exposed to the sun, acting as a great reminder for people who often forget to wear sunscreen.

11

Best Soothing Formula

All Good Sport Sunscreen

Buy on Amazon

Those who wish to invest in a high-end product to take their sun protection game to the next level must surely snag this oxybenzone-free sunscreen by All Good Sport. As the brand name suggests, this product is perfect for those who spend a lot of time outdoors trying to get active as it doesn’t budge a lot with sweat and humidity. To boot, you can count on this product to replenish your skin’s lipid barrier, leaving it soft, supple, and happy! The product's broad-spectrum UV protection keeps your skin unharmed and prevents sunburns.

12

Best for Humid Climates

Thinksport SPF 50+ Mineral Sunscreen

Buy on Amazon

This physical sunscreen by Thinksport consists of safe active ingredients like zinc oxide and is devoid of chemical UV filters and nasties such as phthalates, parabens, and mineral oil. Its high-endurance formula is perfect for active and sporty folks who spend much time outdoors, as it is adequately moisture-resistant and stays on for long. The broad-spectrum SPF 50, keeps your skin protected whereas the humectants such as hyaluronic acid and aloe vera extracts infused in the product keep it hydrated.

Now that you’ve seen our product recommendations, you can go through the following buying guide and steps to use so you shop wisely and make the best of your product.

Here are a few factors to consider:

SPF: When looking for a sunscreen, it is a no-brainer thumb rule to prioritize the product’s SPF rate. A product that ranges anywhere between SPF 30 to 50 is considered ideal, as anything less would be barely effective, and more wouldn’t necessarily provide additional protection. 

Formulation: You can opt for a chemical-based (organic) sunscreen or a mineral-based (inorganic) sunscreen. The former works by absorbing harmful UV rays so it doesn’t penetrate your skin’s surface, and the latter works by refracting them. While the former fits into any skincare regime with ease, as they’re unlikely to leave a white cast, the latter is a more ideal option for pregnant/lactating women or people with sensitive skin. 

Other things to look for in the formulation would be humectants and skin conditioners such as aloe extracts, glycerin, calendula extracts, bisabolol, hyaluronic acid, etc. to boost hydration, so you can occasionally skip wearing a moisturizer. Besides, antioxidant-rich ingredients such as vitamins C and E, green tea extracts, ginkgo biloba, etc. are perfect to double up the product’s protective attributes by keeping environmental damage at bay. 

If you are someone who gets reactions from harsh fragrances and dyes, ensure your sunscreen is free of them. 

Texture And Finish:

Lastly, you want to look for a sunscreen that fits perfectly for your skin type — for instance, a lightweight and water-based formula for oily skin, a richly-emollient formula for dry skin, etc. In any case, the product should feel delectably nourishing and sit well underneath your makeup.

Here are a few simple steps to make the best of your oxybenzone-free sunscreen. 

Step 1: Prep your skin with the products you use in your morning skincare regime — toner, serums, lotions, etc. You can skip the moisturizer if your sunscreen provides adequate moisturization benefits. 

Step 2: Line your index and middle finger with your favorite sunscreen, so you know you’ve taken an adequate quantity to apply on your face and neck. 

Step 3: Then, dot your face and neck evenly with the product.

Step 4: Massage the product onto your skin in a circular, upward direction until it absorbs properly. 

Step 5: You can follow up with a primer and some makeup if you wish to. 

Step 6: Re-apply your sunscreen as and when required. 

The best sunscreens without oxybenzone and other harsh ingredients such as fragrance, parabens, alcohol, and mineral oil are a safe bet for most skin types. This is because these products don’t intervene with your skin’s natural pH, don’t get rid of good bacteria from your skin’s surface, don’t penetrate your bloodstream or worsen your skin problems. We hope you enjoyed reading this article and liked our product recommendations. Ensure you go through our buying guide before investing in any product. Happy shopping!

Contributor: Dr. Chaudhry, UK board-certified Dermatologist, Scandinavian Biolabs