18 Best Natural and Organic Sunscreens, Tested by Skin Scientists
You can trust these face and body SPF brands.
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You look for "natural" and "organic" when shopping for food and other products — but what about sunscreens? When it comes to SPF, "natural" usually refers to mineral sunscreens, which use naturally-sourced minerals like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to physically block UV rays, as opposed to chemical formulas that work by absorbing UV light and converting it to heat.
Mineral SPF formulas are gaining popularity because they're free of controversial chemical sunscreen active ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate, and "in general, there's been a movement toward natural and organic skincare," says Elizabeth K. Hale, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City and senior vice president of The Skin Cancer Foundation. The term "organic" on sunscreen packaging implies that the product contains organically-produced ingredients, though the SPF active ingredients could be mineral or chemical and cannot be organic themselves because they are not derived from living matter.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab regularly tests all types of body and face sunscreens on a range of skin types, tones and ages, from sunscreens for oily skin to sunscreens for sensitive skin, sunscreens for kids and babies, and more. Our GH Beauty Lab scientists stay up to date on current sunscreen regulations and in our most recent test, started by surveying 2,319 consumers on their sun protection habits. We then tested a wide range of sunscreens, including natural and organic brands, for both sun protection efficacy and cosmetic properties (texture, scent, application, look and feel of skin during wear and more) to find the formulas that perform above the rest.
Here, our top-tested picks for the best natural and organic sunscreens, including sprays and tinted SPFs. Check out our guides to the best "reef-safe" sunscreens and pregnancy-safe sunscreens for more expert picks.
April (she/her) is the beauty director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman's Day, where she oversees all beauty content. She has over 15 years of experience under her belt, starting her career as an assistant beauty editor at GH in 2007, and working in the beauty departments of SELF and Fitness magazines.
Sabina (she/her) is the director of the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has overseen skincare, haircare and makeup testing since 2012. She also reviews applications, substantiates claims and evaluates products for the GH Seal and the Beauty Awards and Sustainability Awards programs. She has a B.S. in chemistry from Ithaca College and more than 16 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries.
Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 10 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and efficacy testing.
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