Really?
I have an idea that there may not be a truly natural or eco friendly sunscreen – but I’ve had a look at some that claim to be more eco-friendly than others.
But First
Remember the main points of caring for your body in the sun:
- Avoid sitting in the sun when it is strongest – in the UK this is between 11am and 3pm from March to October
- Make sure you never burn
- Cover up with clothing and sunglasses
- Use at least Factor 30 sunscreen
- Do not rely on sunscreen – cover up with clothes and stay in the shade
- When buying sunscreen look for at least SPF 30 and at least UVA protection of 4 star
- Consult the NHS website for detailed information
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What is Natural or Eco-Friendly?
There is a lot to consider in deciding whether a sunscreen is natural or eco-friendly. I have included some sunscreens that claim to be vegan friendly, some that use recycled or recyclable packaging and some that do not contain parabens or nano-particles. Read more about nano-particles here. There’s also the effect on coral reefs that have to be considered: it’s best to avoid oxybenzone and octinoxate and ensure your sunscreen is free from nano-particles.
The following sunscreens have various ‘natural’ and ‘eco-friendly’ claims. However, please do your own checks on the ingredients to make sure that these fit your needs.
Green People Organic Sun Lotion SPF30 Scent Free 200ml
- Effective, broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection
- Suitable for sensitive skin and those prone to prickly heat
- Moisture retaining for a longer lasting tan
- Water repellent but non pore-clogging, allows your skin to breathe
- Rich in natural antioxidants to protect delicate skin
- Use within 6 months
Omuci’s Nothing To Hide Eco Friendly Sunscreen. Vegan Friendly, natural ingredients. UVA + UVB protection (100 ml, 30 SPF)
- NATURAL AND ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY INGREDIENTS. Safest available ingredients carefully chosen from plants and nature.
- Vegan friendly, not tested on animals. OK for CARRY ON luggage.
- Sunscreen that ABSORBS into the SKIN. Photostable formula. NON sticky and NON whitening, DOES NOT include zinc or nano substances. Alcohol FREE, NO parabens, NO petroleum substances. NON-comedogenic (does NOT clog pores).
- Our sunscreen is unfortunately not optimal for people with oily skin. With oily skin the cream can not properly penetrate the skin to protect it.
- AQUA, SHEA BUTTER, JOJOBA OIL, BEMOTRIZINOL, CACAO BUTTER, GRAPE SEED OIL, HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, CANDELILLA WAX, ALOE BARBADENSIS EXTRACT, NYMPHAEA ALBA EXTRACT, PANTHENOL
Organic Aloe Vera Sun Lotion SPF50
- Enriched with nourishing Avocado and jojoba oil
- Natural soothers for overworked, stressed or sun-exposed skin
- Ultimate shield against harmful sun exposure
- Protects from UVA and UVB rays
- Free from artificial perfumes, colours, SLS, and parabens
Yaoh Suncare Organic Hemp Seed Oil Sun Block SPF 30 (240ml)
- UVA and UVB Protection – SPF 30
- Rich in Anti-Oxidants
- Treats Eczema & Psoriasis
- Free from Parabens, Harmful Substances and Unnecessary Chemical Additives.
- Vegan Society approved. Not tested on animals.
Natural Organic Sunscreen SPF40 250g / For Children and Adults/Handmade with 100% Organic ingredients, Waterproof & Reefsafe/Will protect your Precious Skin from the Suns harmful Rays.
- SHEA BUTTER: which gives our sunscreen a beautiful texture, is rich in vitamins A, E and F. Shea butter also has proven anti-inflammatory properties and its vitamin K concentration also helps your body heal faster when your skin barrier has been compromisedSkin Smoothing: Shea aids in the skin’s natural collagen production and contains oleic, stearic, palmitic, and linolenic acids that protect and nourish the skin to prevent drying.
- ✅BEESWAX: locks in moisture and protects skin from damaging environmental factors. Beeswax effectively softens your skin and creates a long-lasting protective coating against the elements. Coconut Oil greatly helps the skin by forming a protective layer over the skin which reduces the overexposure to the sunshine. Grapeseed Oil has powerful antioxidants that help to protect your skin from absorbing the full damage of UV rays.
- ✅MANGO BUTTER: Use Mango Butter On Damaged Skin To Soothe And Heal It. It can minimize itching, reduce inflammation and help with healing. On top of that, mango butter used on the skin can have anti-inflammatory results. In combination with its ability to gently moisturise dry, itchy and red skin, it’s great for skin conditions as well
- ✅GRAPESEED OIL: Extracted from the seeds of wine grapes, grapeseed oil is a viable, all-natural alternative to chemical-based cosmetics in skin care. It is known to treat acne, sunburn, tanning, even delay skin aging, thanks to its antioxidant properties. In addition, the emollient properties of the oil makes it an effective moisturiser and a safe carrier oil for dilution of essential oil(s).
- ✅NON-NANO ZINC OXIDE: Zinc oxide protects against both the UVA and UVB rays of the sun. By making the ingredients “non nano” it means that the particles aren’t small enough to penetrate the skin. The non-nano particles aren’t going to be absorbed by your skin and possibly go into your bloodstream. Regular nano particles do have the potential to enter the bloodstream, so that’s why it’s an important distinction for your sunscreen to be labelled “non nano.”
Childs Farm SPF 50+ Sun Cream Very High UVA/UVB Protection For Sensitive Skin, 125 ml
Child’s Farm products are an absolute favourite of mine. This sunscreen is advertised as:
- Suitable for sensitive skin and safe for those who may be prone to eczema
- Dermatologist and paediatrician approved
- Water resistant
- Suitable for 6 months and upwards
- Unfragranced
- Vegan
Child’s Farm isn’t just for kids- I normally use kids’ formulated sunscreen as I try to ensure I use Factor 50.
Jason Natural Care SPF 45 Broad Spectrum Family Sunscreen
- Broad-spectrum family sunscreen
- Provides UVA and UVB protection
- Helps prevent sunburn
- Higher SPF gives more sunburn protection
- Enriched with vitamin E and camellia Saneness leaf extract
Alba Botanica Very Emolient Continuous Clear Spray Sunscreen SPF 50 – Fragrance Free, 6 ounce
Alba Botanica say the following about this product:
- Skin cancer foundation recommendation
- Good for sensitive skin
- 100% vegetarian ingredients, No harsh sulfates, NO artificial colours, No parabens or phthalates, No synthetic Fragrances
- Country of Origin: United States
Babo Botanicals SPF 40 Daily Sheer Facial Sunscreen, Unscented, 1.7oz, Best Natural Mineral Sunscreen, Non-Nano, Sensitive
- Babo’s specially formulated broad spectrum Daily Sheer Sunscreen is perfect for extra sensitive faces.
- Package Description: 1.7 fl. oz. (50 ml)
SURFYOGIS Original, 100% Natural, Zinc Surfscreen, Sunblock, Sunscreen, 60g, Reef Safe, Surfing
- This high-quality and highly effective product is made from nothing but natural and pure ingredients – chocolate, coffee, vanilla, beeswax, zinc oxide, coconut oil.
- Surfyogi’s Zinc is the best surfscreen worldwide! It contains no chemicals and is a sunscreen blocker whose ingredients do not penetrate the skin but remain on the surface and act as a barrier against UVA and UVB rays.
- Good for your skin and the environment. Protect the reef and its marine life.
- 100% plastic free packaging. The tin is made of high-quality recycled aluminium and can be closed again and again with the screw cap. Labels are made of 100% recycled paper.
- Durable and long-lasting! Surfyogis has been tested under the tropical Indonesian sun 365 days a year since 2007 and has proven to be 100% reliable. A 60g will last for 70 surf sessions.
COCOSOLIS Natural Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 | Effective UVA and UVB protection | Long-lasting Saturated Tan | Nourished & Hydrated Skin | For Face & Body | Mineral Sun Block | 100% Natural Ingredients
- ☀️YEAR-ROUND SUN PROTECTION: Keep your skin in perfect condition with the all-natural sunscreen. The ANTI-AGE sunscreen formula combines a BIO OIL MIX, Vitamin E, and non-nano zinc oxide. It shields the skin from harmful UVA and UVB exposure, skin damage, and pigmentation.
- 🌸 LIGHT SKIN-FRIENDLY TEXTURE: Cocosolis broad-spectrum SUN CREAM SPF 50 is lightweight, blends well and gives a good sunblock performance. The sun cream spreads easy and won’t stain your clothes. You can wear the sunscreen all year round.
- ☀️FACE AND BODY SUN CARE: Made of skin-friendly BIO INGREDIENTS, the sun care product is suitable for FACE and BODY USE. The NATURAL substances protect the delicate skin texture and even out the skin tone. Use daily for a healthy SUMMER GLOW that will last longer.
- 🌸MOISTURIZES AND PROTECTS: Put on your skin 15-30 min before going out in the sun. Let it absorb into the skin, leaving it soft, supple, and protected. Note: If it takes you 10 minutes to get burned, with Sunscreen SPF50 you will be protected for 500 minutes, so re-apply when needed.
- ☀️ SUITABLE FOR SENSITIVE SKIN: Protect your skin with the NATURAL, PRESERVATIVE-FREE, and NON-NANO particle sunscreen. The sun protection cream contains SHEA BUTTER, COCOA BUTTER, COCONUT OIL, SUNFLOWER OIL, Vitamin E, HONEY wax, and NON-NANO zinc oxide. The SEABERRY OIL is packed with anti-aging antioxidants.
So, remember to follow the NHS guidelines to stay safe in the sun …. and it goes without saying that it’s a good idea to wear a sunhat as well!
Out Of The Office 