You can trust these face and body SPF brands.
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 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.
1
Best Overall Natural Body Sunscreen
Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Sun Milk Body Lotion SPF 50
The top-rated of all the mineral sunscreens in the GH Beauty Lab’s most recent body SPF test, coconut oil-infused Hawaiian Tropic was loved for its smooth application, transfer resistance and “deliciously tropical” scent. The light milky lotion was the least likely to stain or rub off on fabrics of any mineral SPF, effortless to apply, non-drying and rinsed off easily.
Testers praised the pump bottle, though it was smaller than others; the formula also felt oily to some testers. Many raved that the “scent was amazing” and “application process was clean.”
SPF | 50 |
---|---|
Active type | Mineral |
Active ingredients | Titanium Dioxide (4.9%), Zinc Oxide (6.7%) |
Water resistance | 80 minutes |
Price per ounce | ~$4.85 |
2
Best Overall Natural Face Sunscreen
Colorescience Total Protection No-Show Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Natural mineral SPFs can be just as elegant to use as chemical formulas. Case in point: This milky Colorescience liquid, which a winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s most recent face sunscreen test. True to its name, it proved to be “no-show,” earning the highest score for not leaving a film on skin or interfering with makeup, applying easily and not stinging skin.
While it is above average in price, testers sang its praises: “Absolutely loved this sunscreen and will be a customer for life,” a fan reported. Another said “it became a seamless part of my beauty routine and it left my melanated skin looking natural instead of pale or cakey.”
SPF | 50 |
---|---|
Active type | Mineral |
Active ingredient | Zinc Oxide (10%) |
Water resistance | 40 minutes |
Price per ounce | ~$25.15 |
3
Best Tinted Natural Sunscreen
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50
If you like your natural mineral SPF with a tint to subtly even skin tone and reduce the telltale white cast, turn to La Roche-Posay, a GH beauty editor favorite. GH Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn calls it her “everyday go-to” and GH’s beauty director also appreciate its “featherlight feel” and that it’s “very gentle on skin.” One drawback is that at this time the formula only comes in one shade, which although it blends into many skin tones, may be too light for darker skin.
SPF | 50 |
---|---|
Active type | Mineral |
Active ingredient | Titanium Dioxide (11%) |
Water resistance | 40 minutes |
Price per ounce | ~$17.88 |
4
Best Natural Sunscreen for Under Makeup
Sun Bum Mineral Non-Tinted Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 30
This natural mineral Sun Bum face sunscreen was gentle and wore almost flawlessly on skin in GH Beauty Lab testing. It received a near-perfect score for not causing redness or irritation, plus ranked high for not being tacky or oily, interfering with makeup or running into eyes. “I absolutely loved this! The silky texture went in like a makeup primer and worked as such,” one tester said. Other users raved that it is “silky” and “looks so natural.” Note, though, that it can leave a white film and be drying on skin.
SPF | 30 |
---|---|
Active type | Mineral |
Active ingredients | Zinc Oxide (2.4%), Titanium Dioxide (5.3%) |
Water resistance | 40 minutes |
Price per ounce | ~$10.58 |
5
Most Hydrating Natural Sunscreen
Dr. Dennis Gross All-Physical Ultimate Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50
Smooth on Dr. Dennis Gross’s mineral face sunscreen with moisturizing hyaluronic acid to soften and protect skin at the same time. A top performer in GH Beauty Lab testing, it received the highest marks for making skin feel hydrated, having no burning sensation and being simple to apply.
“It melted into my face and my dry skin felt protected and actually moisturized,” a tester said. A second agreed: “Very hydrating; I didn’t need additional moisturizer.” Two drawbacks are the higher price point and that the cap doesn’t stay attached to the tube well.
SPF | 50 |
---|---|
SPF type | Mineral |
Active ingredients | Zinc Oxide (18%) |
Water resistance | 80 minutes |
6
Best Natural Sunscreen for Acne-Prone Skin
Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 50+
Skin types susceptible to breakouts need not fear sunscreen; this Dr. Jart lotion was a top performer in GH Beauty Lab face SPF testing at tackling acne-prone skin concerns. Testers gave it top points for not causing breakouts or redness and leaving a shine-free finish (though it can have a white cast on some skin tones). They also loved its “amazing” citrus fragrance that “didn’t have a whiff of sunscreen smell.” A user commented: “It left my face looking smooth and matte.”
SPF | 50 |
---|---|
SPF type | Mineral |
Active ingredients | Titanium Dioxide (4.1%), Zinc Oxide (11.5%) |
Water resistance | None |
Price per ounce | ~$23.66 |
7
Best Value Natural Sunscreen
Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen Mineral Lotion SPF 50
Australian Gold’s value SPF, a GH Beauty Lab test winner, rated well on many fronts, from sun protection ability to look and feel on skin. It ranked highly for its grease-free finish and not irritating eyes or the surrounding skin. An impressive 95% of testers agreed the lotion had a pleasant scent; it also scored perfectly for preventing sunburn and near the top for its “smooth” feel.
(Somer users, though, found it left a residue that could be difficult to remove and could stain clothing.) “The product went on smooth and it actually had a nice scent and it was not oily,” a tester remarked. “It withstood the rigor of sweat and salt water.”
SPF | 50 |
---|---|
Active type | Mineral |
Active ingredients | Zinc Oxide (4%), Titanium Dioxide (4%) |
Water resistance | 80 minutes |
Price per ounce | ~$3.19 |
8
Best Natural Sunscreen for Oily Skin
ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica Ultralight Emulsion SPF 50
A top performer in GH Beauty Lab facial sunscreen testing, Isdin’s pure zinc oxide formula has a matte finish, making it great for oily skin. Testers found it didn’t leave an oily or tacky feeling on skin and it provided a shine-free finish. Although it’s a splurge, the liquid SPF was also gentle on skin and didn’t irritate eyes. “I liked that it did not feel greasy or oily and also that it had a matte finish to it,” a tester commented. GH Beauty Lab note: Be sure to shake the bottle before dispensing to mix the formula.
SPF | 50 |
---|---|
Active type | Mineral |
Active ingredient | Zinc oxide (11%) |
Water resistance | 40 minutes |
Price per ounce | ~$17.64 |
9
Best Natural Sunscreen Spray
Bare Republic Mineral Sunscreen Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 50
A rare sunscreen spray with naturally-derived mineral active ingredients, testers found Bare Republic easy to apply in GH Beauty Lab evaluations. It also scored well for its vanilla coconut scent, not stinging or irritating skin, not feeling greasy or drying and protecting skin from sunburn.
Note that users didn’t find it fast-absorbing and reported that it left a white residue on skin. Many testers raved about its effortless application, however: “It sprayed very evenly,” one noted. Another said, “I did not get sunburned, despite spending hours in the strong Colorado sun!”
SPF | 50 |
---|---|
Active type | Mineral |
Active ingredients | Zinc Oxide (15%), Titanium Dioxide (4.3%) |
Water resistance | 80 minutes |
Price per ounce | ~$2.42 |
10
Best Natural Face Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin
Bare Republic Mineral Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
GH Beauty Lab testers gave this Bare Republic face sunscreen a perfect score for being mild on skin. They also said that it left skin matte and didn’t feel sticky after application. Note that this is an emulsion formula, so you need to shake it before applying; otherwise it may dispense as a non-uniform liquid.
“I liked the milky texture of this product and it melded in with my skin in just a few minutes,” a tester reported. A second said: “It was a gentle product; I did not have any irritation, stinging or bumps after using it.”
SPF | 30 |
---|---|
Active type | Mineral |
Active ingredients | Zinc Oxide (2.5%), Titanium Dioxide (5.2%) |
Water resistance | 40 minutes |
Price per ounce | ~$11.17 |
11
Best Natural Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Body Shield SPF 50
This gentle SPF from Colorescience was the best pure zinc oxide formula in past GH Beauty Lab body sunscreen testing. In Lab evaluations, 95% of testers agreed it didn’t cause any stinging or irritation, and 100% said it didn’t irritate eyes or skin even when applied on the face. The formula is a splurge, though, and some users found it tacky or greasy and difficult to remove. A fan marveled that the “silky” lotion “melted into their skin,” and another added that it “spread on a lot easier and did not have the thickness” of the other formulas.
SPF | 50 |
---|---|
Active type | Mineral |
Active ingredients | Zinc Oxide (12%) |
Water resistance | 80 minutes |
Price per ounce | ~$11.50 |
12
Best Organic Sunscreen
Coola Organic Classic Body Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Formulated with over 70% organic ingredients, including plant extracts like aloe, oxybenzone- and octinoxate-free Coola was a winner in GH Beauty Lab sunscreen testing. An impressive 100% of testers reported no stinging or irritation on the body or face, and it scored highest for not rubbing off on clothing.
“I love how light this product is and how much it feels like a light skin lotion (and not like a sunscreen at all)!” one enthused. “It goes on so easily and smoothly and disappears into the skin…the perfect sunscreen.” Testers were divided on whether they liked the fruity scent, however.
SPF | 50 |
---|---|
Active type | Chemical |
Active ingredients | Avobenzone (1.75%), Homosalate (5.0%), Octisalate (2.0%), Octocrylene (5.0%) |
Water resistance | 80 minutes |
Price per ounce | ~$5.60 |
13
Best Natural Sunscreen for Babies
Babo Botanicals Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
Made with 20% mineral zinc oxide and naturally-derived plant ingredients, the Babo Botanicals cream SPF was a GH Beauty Lab test winner for eliminating some of zinc’s common gripes, rubbing onto skin and rinsing off easily. The formula, which can be used on adults, children and babies, rated well at applying and washing off skin effortlessly, and not transferring onto fabrics or feeling oily or drying. Note that some users commented on its “thick” texture and it is a smaller bottle than other sunscreens, at three ounces. “It moisturized my skin without a greasy residue,” one revealed.
SPF | 50 |
---|---|
Active type | Mineral |
Active ingredient | Zinc oxide (20%) |
Water resistance | 80 minutes |
Price per ounce | ~$5.66 |
14
Best Natural Sunscreen for Dry Skin
Coppertone Pure & Simple Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
Not only is this GH Beauty Lab test-winning Coppertone body sunscreen extremely affordable, but it’s also fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and uses high levels of pure zinc oxide as its active ingredient. Users found it easy to apply and moisturizing and the formula tallied near-perfect marks for effectively protecting skin from the sun. It also rinsed off well and didn’t stain clothing.
“Skin did not feel dried out like some other sunscreens,” a tester noted. There were a few drawbacks, though, including that some testers found the formula sticky and oily and that application could be messy.
SPF | 50 |
---|---|
Active type | Mineral |
Active ingredient | Zinc Oxide (24.8%) |
Water resistance | 80 minutes |
Price per ounce | ~$1.91 |
15
Best Natural Sunscreen for Mature Skin
Neutrogena SheerZinc Face Sunscreen SPF 50
Neutrogena’s great value zinc oxide face sunscreen was easy to apply and effective at preventing sunburn in GH Beauty Lab testing. The silky smooth, softening formula that’s great for mature skin types also wears well under makeup — testers found it didn’t interfere with their foundation application. Several users remarked that they liked how it “moisturized skin.” It might leave a bit of a white cast at first while it soaks in so it may be better suited for lighter skin tones.
SPF | 50 |
---|---|
Active type | Mineral |
Active ingredient | Zinc Oxide (21.6%) |
Water resistance | 80 minutes |
Price per ounce | ~$6.49 |
16
Best Natural Sunscreen for Dark Skin
SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 35
After trying out SkinMedica’s physical sunscreen that’s sheer enough for dark skin tones, several GH Beauty Lab testers said that they wanted to purchase it for themselves. The formula earned top scores for not leaving a visible residue on skin, feeling or looking oily, interfering with makeup or having a sticky feel.
“It did not leave that heavy white film,” a tester reported. Another said: “Others left a white cast over my face, but this product didn’t. I love it!” Two caveats: The product is an investment compared to other face SPFs at over $20 per ounce and is not water-resistant.
SPF | 35 |
---|---|
Active type | Mineral |
Active ingredients | Zinc Oxide (6%), Titanium Dioxide (5%) |
Water resistance | Not water-resistant |
Price per ounce | ~$21.62 |
17
Best Fragrance-Free Natural Sunscreen
MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème Sunscreen SPF 50
This MDSolarSciences mineral zinc oxide- and titanium dioxide-based face sunscreen is a great choice for a gentle formula that’s free of obtrusive fragrance. In GH Beauty Lab testing, users gave it high marks for its fast absorption, the shine-free look that it leaves on skin, its delicate scent and that it didn’t cause skin irritation. “I like that this product had no scent and did not smell like chemicals,” a tester said. Two others praised its “silky” feel, though some noted that it initially left a white film on skin.
SPF | 50 |
---|---|
Active type | Mineral |
Active ingredients | Zinc Oxide (17%), Titanium Dioxide (2%) |
Water resistance | 80 minutes |
Price per ounce | ~$18.82 |
18
Best Scented Natural Sunscreen
Ulta Beauty Mineral Sunscreen Body Lotion SPF 50
How we test sunscreens
To find the best face and body sunscreens, including natural and organic formulas, GH Beauty Lab scientists first round up the newest SPF products on the market and narrow them down to the top contenders. In the most recent test, 462 sunscreens distributed to consumer testers for evaluation.
Testers apply the sunscreens multiple times in their routine during activities such as visiting the pool or beach, exercising outdoors, swimming and gardening. After use, volunteers fill out detailed questionnaires on the product’s sun protection effectiveness, ease of application and rinsing, fragrance, texture and absorbance, and whether it leaves residue on skin, irritates, stains fabrics, is sticky or oily, or feels drying on skin.
Finally, GH Beauty Lab scientists tallied 7,344 survey responses to identify the top-performing sunscreens you can buy.
Philip Friedman
What to look for when shopping for the best natural and organic sunscreen
Keep these points top of mind when seeking out the best natural or organic sunscreens, according to GH Beauty Lab scientists and dermatologists:
✔️ Broad-spectrum protection: One of the most important features to look for in any sunscreen is that it’s labeled “broad-spectrum,” meaning it “effectively blocks both UVA and UVB rays,” Dr. Hale says. Other sunscreens shield only UVB, leaving you vulnerable to damaging UVA rays.
✔️ Mineral active ingredients: Seek out naturally-derived actives made from minerals including zinc oxide and titanium dioxide which “protect the skin by reflecting and scattering UVA and UVB radiation, and visible light,” says Sara Hogan, M.D., a dermatologist at the Luxe Dermatology and Aesthetic Center in McLean, Virginia. “Iron oxide is often added to mineral sunscreens to give color to the white cast, but also protects the skin from UVA and visible light, particularly blue light.” Zinc oxide can have bonus skincare benefits, too: “In addition to being an effective sunscreen, zinc oxide is commonly used as an active ingredient to heal and sooth irritated skin,” says GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek.
✔️ Free from controversial actives: You may want to steer clear of sunscreens containing certain chemical active ingredients, depending on your location. “Hawaii has banned the sale and distribution of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and/or octinoxate ‘to preserve the marine ecosystem’,” Wnek explains. “The county of Maui within Hawaii has taken it one step further and banned all chemical sunscreens for both sale and use.”
✔️ Naturally-derived or organic ingredients: Many brands indicate these keywords (like “made with natural ingredients”) on product packaging. Look for an ingredient percentage listed (i.e. “70% naturally-derived ingredients”) to help ensure a product contains the type of ingredients claimed. Keep in mind that there aren’t 100% organic sunscreens, but you can find formulas that are made with organic ingredients like plant extracts and oils. Seek out organic certification emblems like USDA Organic, NSF and EcoCert on product packaging or brand websites.
Are natural and organic sunscreens healthier to use?
There is no way to gauge whether any sunscreen, including those labeled natural or organic, is “healthier” than another. The FDA doesn’t regulate “natural” claims in consumer products, so the term itself doesn’t really mean anything concrete when it comes to sunscreen. “There is no such thing as a truly ‘natural’ sunscreen, because the ingredients need to be treated in chemical processes when added to formulas to prevent harmful reactions,” explains Steven Q. Wang, M.D., Chief of Dermatologic Oncology & Dermatologic Surgery at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, California.