18 Eco-friendly sunscreens tried and tested

Latest update: 13 December 2024

More and more people are choosing sustainable or natural sunscreen. Did you know that it is not necessarily the same thing? And not all of them apply equally well: hello white haze! I tested the sustainable and natural sunscreens, lotions, and sticks of no fewer than 18 brands. Find out how that went.

Sustainable or natural sunscreen?

A natural sunscreen is a sunscreen with a mineral filter. Very roughly you could say that a mineral (and therefore natural) sunscreen is the most sustainable sunscreen. But that isn’t entirely true. The other category is sunscreen with a chemical filter. But one mineral filter is not the same as the other and the same applies to chemical filters. Mineral filters can also be harmful to the ocean.

A natural sunscreen is usually a more sustainable choice, but it is not necessarily the case. If you also consider other elements (e.g., packaging, animal friendliness, substance), a chemical filter could be the most sustainable sunscreen.

It is actually very difficult to say that a product is completely sustainable. Simply because there is still a lot of research being done and there is no clear quality mark. But, all the sunscreens that I discuss below are a more sustainable choice than the good old sun products of the past. If you are interested in reading more about it, this article describes in detail what makes sunscreen sustainable.

Apply mineral sunscreen: white haze alert!

I want to give you a little warning first. Applying a natural sunscreen with a mineral filter takes some getting used to. Most biodegradable creams are less spreadable, a bit thicker. Especially on hairy legs and arms, it can be more difficult to apply and they leave a white haze – more for some people than others. Actually, that white haze is a good sign, but everyone understands that you prefer not to go through life like a walking milk bottle.

The different eco-friendly sunscreen brands do everything in their power to get that white haze as invisible as possible. But you will also have to accept the haze to some extent. Just be careful when applying your natural sunscreen. Don’t get too excited with the amount and apply a thin layer first. Repeat regularly, of course. And maybe you should use some natural sunscreens in your own garden rather than in public.

18 x sustainable & natural sunscreen tested!

Natural sunscreen, sustainable sunscreen, reef-friendly sunscreen, coral-friendly sunscreen, mineral sunscreen, vegan sunscreen, organic sunscreen, organic sunscreen: so many brands, so many terms. And with every brand it means something different, there is no quality mark or anything like that. That is why it is up to you to decide what you define as sustainable sunscreen. For some it is super important that a sunscreen is perfume-free, while others get allergic reactions to certain ingredients.

I received beautiful sustainable sun products from 18 sunscreen brands to test. So quickly discover everything you want to know about the best sustainable sunscreen.

Obviously I’m not a scientist. I simply applied, smelled, and tried the various sustainable and natural sun products myself. I would like to refer you to the Dutch Consumers’ Association if you want to read an official study – and understand Dutch. For example, they can also say something about whether the stated SPF is really correct.

All these brands are a better, more sustainable choice in sun products. I tested them all for you, and you will find a review per brand and a short checklist for every single one of them. In reverse alphabetical order: the best sustainable and natural sunscreens, lotions and sticks!

Just a quick ‘mind you’: I am Dutch, so this blog contains sunscreens that are available in the Netherlands. They may not be available worldwide. So please use your search engine to find out if it’s available near you.

We Love Sunscreen sunscreen – SPF 30

The We Love Sunscreen is from We Love The Planet; you may know them from the diffusers – I often see (and smell!) them in the bathrooms of bars and restaurants. We Love Sunscreen is one of the few natural sunscreen sticks on this list. I had to get used to that because I’m only familiar with sunscreen as a spray, cream or lotion, and oil. But this is actually super convenient and mess-free.

I was a little worried that it would be very dry and not spread at all. The stick looks quite dry… But, it spreads really well thanks to the oils it contains. Without white haze! Yay! The sun stick smells slightly sweet, but I don’t smell anything anymore once applied. It is a kind of push-up tube: with your thumb, you push the sunscreen out and apply streaks on your skin. Easy to apply!

The yellow tube has a cheerful, summery look and perfectly fits the zero-waste principle. And yes, the We Love Sunscreen is very Dutch.

We Love Sunscreen sunscreen in short

• UV filter type: mineral
• Active UV filter: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
• Oxybenzone, octinoxate or PABA: no
• Nanoparticles: nano
• Microplastics: no
• Perfume-free: yes
• Cruelty-free: yes
• Coral friendly/reef safe: yes
• Vegan: yes
• Water-resistant: yes
• Packaging: paper tube
• Hand luggage size: yes
• Price tag: € 16.50 (SPF 20) | € 18.50 (SPF 30) for 50 grams
• Where to buy: try Big Green Smile or Douglas

Suntribe – SPF 30

Suntribe’s natural sunscreen comes from Sweden. Three Swedish friends thought it was time for a worry-free, affordable sunscreen. I tested the SPF 30 one which is slightly tinted, so the white haze is a lot less. A light white haze remains in the capillaries – it’s very light, though, so I’m definitely able to show myself in public. The sunscreen is a bit firmer, but that doesn’t get in the way of spreading it out. The Suntribe sunscreen has the smell of coconut and cocoa – I especially smell the cocoa and earthy notes.

You will not find any chemicals, perfume, or preservatives in this sunscreen. The tube is made of 100% recyclable plastic, sugar cane to be exact. If you choose the Zinc Sun Stick, you are also in the right place in terms of packaging because it is made from recycled cardboard (according to the Consumers’ Association, the stick does not offer SPF 30 but SPF 12). In addition, the sunscreen is not tested on animals; all suppliers of ingredients have also signed a contract to work without animal testing. There is still beeswax in the sunscreen, though. We have to wait for the vegan version just a bit longer.

Suntribe believes that safe, natural sunscreen should be available to everyone. As they say themselves: for adrenaline-seeking surfers, laid-back beachgoers, kids, working moms, grandpas, grandmas, and weekend hikers.

Suntribe sunscreen in short

• UV filter type: mineral
• Active UV filter: zinc oxide
• Oxybenzone, octinoxate or PABA: no
• Nanoparticles: non-nano
• Microplastics: no
• Perfume-free: yes
• Cruelty-free: yes
• Coral friendly/reef safe: yes
• Vegan: no, but Suntribe is working on it
• Water-resistant: yes
• Packaging: recyclable sugar cane plastic (tube) and biodegradable recycled cardboard (stick)
• Hand luggage size: yes
• Price tag: approximately €24.99 for 100 ml
• Where to by: try Big Green Smile or Amazon.

Sun Safe sunscreen – SPF 30 (The Ohm Collection)

Sun Safe is The Ohm Collection’s sustainable sunscreen. As a yoga fan, I’m excited about the brand name and the beautiful design of the packaging – 100% recyclable packaging, by the way. They hope to switch to 100% biodegradable plastic soon.

The Ohm Collection is an excellent brand from The Netherlands (Haarlem) with a collection of sustainable products, such as deodorants and day creams. They pay attention to the entire supply chain – which means they use natural and organic ingredients from small farmers and distillers and orders are delivered by bicycle in the Netherlands. But, what about the product? Is the sunscreen any good?

Sun Safe’s active filter is zinc oxide. That’s one of those mineral filters that I talked about earlier – and that’s good! Especially since it is non-nano. Safe for the coral and for you too. The SPF 30 sunscreen is not too thick, but it is firmer than unsustainable options you may be used to. Don’t apply it too enthusiastically! apply it too enthusiastically! The thinner you apply it, the less white haze. However, the haze is not that bad with Sun Safe. I have to take a thorough second look to see it. You can easily go out in public with this one. If you choose SPF15, you can actually use it as a day cream, because it is a real moisturizer.

The sunscreen has a sweet fresh scent, a bit tropical with a hint of vanilla and coconut. I like that the Ohm Collection website lists all ingredients, including what they do for you. The sunscreen is available in 75 ml and 150 ml and SPF 15 and SPF 30.

The Ohm Collection sunscreen in short

• UV filter type: mineral
• Active UV filter: zinc oxide
• Oxybenzone, octinoxate or PABA: no
• Nanoparticles: non-nano, uncoated
• Microplastics: no
• Perfume-free: yes
• Cruelty-free: yes
• Cruelty-free/reef safe: yes
• Vegan: yes
• Water-resistant: no
• Packaging: recyclable plastic, soon 100% biodegradable
• Hand luggage size: yes
• Price tag: €25 for 75ml, and €40 for 150ml. The lower SPF factor is slightly cheaper.
• Where to buy: try their webshop.

SMPL sunscreen- SPF 30

SMPL is a Dutch eco-friendly sunscreen brand. I collect the SPF 30 at co-owner Liselotte’s place in Amsterdam. When she hands me the natural sunscreen, I feel happy instantly. What a beautiful fresh design! The tube is made of sugar cane.

SMPL SPF 30 is mainly for the face, but you can also apply it to the rest of your body. I think it is a bit too expensive for that. In theory, you don’t even have to use a day cream, as SMPL sunscreen is a nourishing cream. I am a little too excited and apply way too much, so it takes a while for the sunscreen to subside. The second time I am more economical, and then it is no problem at all. White haze? Completely absent. The fragrance is fairly neutral; I recognize some cocoa butter somewhere in the distance.

The fact that there is no white haze is due to the mineral filter titanium dioxide with nanoparticles. SMPL refers to the Environmental Working Group’s research, which shows that this is one of the best solutions for the environment, and thus for marine life. The brand values appeal to me: honest, practical (multifunctional, travel-friendly), stylish, and no-nonsense (no vague marketing terms, no unnecessary ingredients).

All SMPL products (they have more skincare products) are entirely natural. The site also states exactly what each ingredient is and what it does for you.

SMPL sunscreen in short

• UV filter type: mineral
• Active UV filter: titanium dioxide
• Oxybenzone, octinoxate or PABA: no
• Nanoparticles: yes, coated
• Microplastics: no
• Perfume-free: yes
• Cruelty-free: yes
• Coral friendly/reef safe: yes
• Vegan: yes
• Water-resistant: no
• Packaging: sugar cane
• Hand luggage size: yes
• Price tag: € 25 for 50 ml
• Where to buy: try Douglas.

Skalaris sunscreen- SPF 15 & SPF 30

Skalaris sunscreen is 100% natural, organic, and vegan. Skalaris is available in SPF 15 and SPF 30 and comes in a nice natural-looking (recyclable) box. The product itself comes in a sturdy, white pump bottle and has a very modern look. Am I pushing it when I say Scandinavian design?

The SPF 30 sunscreen is a bit stiff to apply but does spread nicely with some effort. In the pores of your skin, where your hairs grow, some cream remains, but very subtle. The SPF 15 from Skalaris is somewhat thinner and, therefore, smoother. It also immediately gives me the feeling that it is a nourishing cream. But that’s really just a feeling because the list of ingredients is almost identical. The only difference is that the SPF 15 contains more olive oil, which explains the spreadability and the “moisturizing”. On the website of Skalaris, you can see exactly what is in the natural sunscreen with handy pictures.

The Skalaris sunscreen smells so good! Light floral, and it contains a little acidity. I think I can smell a tiny difference between SPF 15 and SPF 30, but I find it extremely difficult to describe what that odor difference is precisely. I like them both. Not predominant. I’m ready for summer!

Skalaris also has a whole line of facial products and baby creams, and lotions. If you’re in the market for that.

Skalaris sunscreen in short

• UV filter type: mineral
• Active UV filter: zinc oxide
• Oxybenzone, octinoxate or PABA: no
• Nanoparticles: non-nano
• Microplastics: no
• Perfume-free: yes
• Cruelty-free: yes
• Coral friendly/reef safe: yes
• Vegan: yes
• Water-resistant: no
• Packaging: recyclable plastic and the outer box is biodegradable cardboard made of grass
• Hand luggage size: no
• Price tag: €34.95 for 150 ml SPF 15 | €35.95 for 150 ml SPF 30
• Where to buy: update 2024: Skalaris seems to be sold out everywhere if you spot it somewhere, please let me know?)

RoKai / Shade sunscreen – SPF 25

RoKai’s organic sunscreen consists of only 4 (!!) ingredients. Crazy right? It is nice and clear what you put on your skin: coconut oil, shea butter, beeswax, and zinc oxide. The packaging shows a large coconut, but I don’t smell it at all. When I almost push my nose completely into the jar, I smell the beeswax. I must say that opinions are divided as to whether this is a pleasant scent. Fortunately, the fragrance is not at all predominant. Only immediately upon application, and when I smell my skin consciously, the fragrance is released.

The product looks gritty and hard, but it turns out to be very soft when I put my finger in the small tin. Because it is a natural product, it may be that you sometimes have to work a little harder to spread all the grains.

RoKai hardly gives a white haze if you apply it well. It is somewhat greasy, but I like that because it contains nourishing ingredients. By the way, RoKai is called Shade in some countries – just to confuse you.

RoKai / Shade sunscreen in short

• UV filter type: mineral
• Active UV filter: zinc oxide
• Oxybenzone, octinoxate or PABA: no
• Nanoparticles: non-nano
• Microplastics: no
• Perfume-free: yes
• Cruelty-free: yes
• Coral friendly / reef safe:
• Vegan: no
• Water-resistant: no
• Packaging: aluminum
• Hand luggage size: yes
• Price tag: € 13.95 for 100 ml
• Where to buy: Amazon and in the Not the Norm webshop (with the code KIMOPREIS you get a 15% discount!).

Raw Elements sunscreen

Raw Elements is a great sunscreen brand from California and their products consistently get a fantastic rating from the Environmental Working Group. Number 1 even, it couldn’t be better. With Raw Elements you really have a sustainable sunscreen in your hands. They have a fairly extensive range: sticks, sprays, and creams for adults and for children. I briefly tried the hypoallergenic sunscreen for babies and children on my two-year-old nephew. The cream comes out of the can easily, but you must spread it well to get as little white haze as possible. Good sunscreen for kids (and my nephew also found the can very interesting).

And then, of course, I applied some on myself. I tried the Tinted Daily Face Moisturizer SPF 20, and with tinted creams, I’m always a little afraid that it will be way too dark. But this mineral sunscreen is not too intense in color and has a nice matte finish. It is a slightly thicker substance, so you have to spread it well. The Raw Elements Face+Body SPF 30 is also a bit thicker, but with a little effort, you can apply it well, and it does not leave a white haze. And then there is the Face+Body Spray SPF 50 and it applies amazingly. Super flexible and a perfect size for your handbag. All Raw Elements sun products have a neutral, somewhat earthy scent. But that’s only if you sort of stick your nose in it.

Raw Elements sunscreen in short

• UV filter type: mineral
• Active UV filter: non-nano zinc oxide and non-nano titanium dioxide
• Oxybenzone, octinoxate or PABA: no
• Nanoparticles: no
• Microplastics: no
• Perfume-free: yes
• Cruelty-free: yes
• Cruelty-free/reef safe: yes
• Vegan: SPF 50 yes, the rest contains sustainable organic beeswax
• Water-resistant: yes
• Packaging: bioplastic from sugar cane and a recyclable can
• Hand luggage size: yes
• Price tag: from € 21.50 for the larger packages and a travel size for € 9.75
• Where to buy: Amazon

NIVEA Sun Mineral sunscreen – SPF 50

Finally! The big, well-known brands are also joining the sustainable movement! NIVEA now has a mineral sunscreen on the market for your face and for children Fantastic because that makes it even easier to make sustainable choices. If people quickly grab this NIVEA sunscreen in the store and expect the ‘old’ NIVEA sunscreen, they might be shocked by the white haze. Because, as you now know, mineral sunscreen leaves a layer on your face. If you don’t know about this, or apply a large amount, that will at least take some getting used to.

The mineral sunscreen from NIVEA is almost odorless, maybe slightly fresh, but it has no distinct scent to me. It is a perfume-free sunscreen, so that’s good news for people who have sensitive skin. The sunscreen is relatively thin and spreads well, but the white color is pretty obvious. Luckily, the product isn’t greasy at all. I think the mineral sunscreen for children is a bit thicker, and I also believe that the white haze is slightly stronger there. By the way, NIVEA SUN Mineral is entirely animal-free and vegan.

NIVEA Sun Mineral sunscreen in short

• UV filter type: mineral
• Active UV filter: zinc oxide
• Oxybenzone, octinoxate or PABA: no
• Nanoparticles: nano
• Microplastics: no
• Perfume-free: yes
• Cruelty-free: yes
• Cruelty-free/reef safe: yes
• Vegan: yes
• Water-resistant: yes
• Packaging: the tube is made of plastic, but the cardboard box is made of 89% recycled material and FSC mix certified cardboard
• Hand luggage size: yes
• Price tag: €20.99 for 50 ml of sunscreen for your face and €17.99 for the sunscreen for children
• Where to buy: Amazon

Naïf Sunscreen – SPF 30

Naïf has something for everyone: SPF 30, SPF 50, for your body, face, and children… So plenty of choice. I test the natural sun creams SPF 30 and the sun lotion SPF 30. The big difference? The cream is oil-based, and the lotion is water-based. And if you ask me, I’d go for the latter. Both sun products apply well, but the water-based one (the sunscreen lotion) does not leave a white haze, and the cream is slightly greasy. Which also makes sense with the oil, of course. Now it’s not too bad with the sunscreen with the white haze, you won’t look like a ghost. But if you can choose… There is hardly any difference in smell between the two; they are both very neutral.

There is also a natural oil-based sunscreen and a water-based lotion for babies and children. Both are SPF 50. The sustainable sun lotion for kids does not contain any perfume, by the way. There is also an excellent Naïf after sun, which is nice and soft and absorbs quickly.

The tubes have beautiful pastel shades. The packaging is made from bioplastic, from sugar cane. Only the cap is still made of regular plastic, and the ink is also still under development. Naïf hopes to go from 94% bioplastic to 100% bioplastic quickly.

Naïf is also a Dutch brand. When friends and new fathers Jochem and Sjoerd found out that baby care products can contain all kinds of harmful ingredients, Naïf was born. The goal is no harsh chemicals, microplastics, or ingredients that pollute the ocean. Everything as natural and CO2 neutral as possible. Nice statement on the website: “Difficult words don’t moisturize.” So just ingredients that you understand and, if possible, bought in The Netherlands.

Warning! There is some fuss surrounding the protection factor. The Dutch Consumers’ Association test shows that the SPF 30 actually only has a factor of 20. But Naïf doesn’t understand the outcome and started testing together with the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority and came to different conclusions. Passed with flying colors! Read more about it here (in Dutch).

Naïf sunscreen in short

• UV filter type: mineral
• Active UV filter: zinc oxide
• Oxybenzone, octinoxate or PABA: no
• Nanoparticles: non-nano
• Microplastics: no
• Perfume-free: no, but allergen-free perfume
• Cruelty-free: yes
• Coral friendly/reef safe: yes
• Vegan: yes
• Water-resistant: yes
• Packaging: sugar cane bioplastic
• Hand luggage size: yes
• Price tag: €23.99 for 100 ml
• Where to buy: lots of places! Douglas, Big Green Smile.

LITTLE URCHIN sunscreen – SPF 30 & SPF 50

What exactly is an urchin? I had to google it (blame it on the language barrier!): it’s a sea urchin. Sea urchins are sensitive to light and chemicals and have evolved to make their own natural sunscreen for their little ones. And an urchin is also a toddler. The name refers (partly) to the daughter of founder Chris. When his daughter came back from daycare one day, she was covered in a chemical-smelling substance: sunscreen. It was unacceptable to Chris that his little girl, his toddler, was exposed to the potentially harmful effects of sunscreen, so he decided to do something about it himself. And that’s how LITTLE URCHIN was born. In Australia, by the way.

The natural SPF 30 sunscreen includes green tea, cucumber, and rosehip. When I put it on, I mainly smell the cucumber. So it’s a nice and fresh sunscreen; the smell dissipates as soon as you apply it. I think the tinted sunscreen smells a bit more earthy. At first, I was a bit shocked by the rather dark color of that one, but when I spread it out, I actually think it looks beautiful. It’s like wearing a very light layer of foundation. You could use the tinted sunscreen for your entire body, but I think it is especially suitable for your face. And then there is also an SPF 50 that is water-resistant for up to 4 hours, available as a lotion and in a stick. The SPF 50 sunscreen is also vegan!

LITTLE URCHIN sunscreen in short

• UV filter type: mineral
• Active UV filter: zinc oxide
• Oxybenzone, octinoxate or PABA: no
• Nanoparticles: non-nano
• Microplastics: no
• Perfume-free: yes, but the tinted sunscreen and after-sun do contain natural oils
• Cruelty-free: yes
• Coral friendly/reef safe: yes
• Vegan: SPF 50 yes, SPF 30 no
• Water-resistant: yes
• Packaging: recyclable plastic
• Hand luggage size: yes
• Price tag: from €29.95
• Where to buy: try Nourished and Amazon

The Lekker Company sunscreen – SPF 30

The company name already reveals that this eco-friendly sunscreen comes from Dutch soil. A small team in Utrecht is trying to win the hearts of consumers with their eco-friendly, natural products. The sunscreen from The Lekker Company comes in a cardboard cup, and when you take off the lid, the fresh scent of eucalyptus comes to meet you. It is a super-concentrated substance that is best removed from the jar with warmer fingers. Substance-wise, it is comparable to a sun stick. So it is not sunscreen cream or lotion. So no mess!

I must confess I find it a bit challenging to get the eco sunscreen out of the cup. Especially if you want to apply it to your entire body, it will take you a while. But it does lubricate nicely, and you don’t get a white haze. The product is completely natural, cruelty-free, coral-friendly, and vegan. If you want to know everything about the ingredients, be sure to read this blog.

This sunscreen’s packaging is also very sustainable: paper and cardboard. It’s also cheerfully colored, which our eyes love, right?

LEKKER sunscreen in short

• UV filter type: mineral
• Active UV filter: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
• Oxybenzone, octinoxate or PABA: no
• Nanoparticles: coated nano
• Microplastics: no
• Perfume-free: yes
• Cruelty-free: yes
• Coral friendly/reef safe: yes
• Vegan: yes
• Water-resistant: yes
• Packaging: recyclable paper and cardboard
• Hand luggage size: yes
• Price tag: €19.99 for 70 grams
• Where to buy: Nourished

Lavera – SPF 30 & SPF 50

Lavera’s sun products have been given a new look. A new jacket of at least 97% recycled material (excluding the cap) and the cover boxes are even 100% recycled. Lavera also plants trees to compensate for CO2 emissions. And the products are entirely vegan.

I test the sunscreens with SPF 30 for the face and the one for the body. They both smell nice, a bit floral with a hint of citronella. I find the fragrance of the face cream stronger than the one for the body. But I really have to make so much of an effort to smell anything at all once it’s on my skin that I would call it almost odorless. The sunscreen for the face applies wonderfully and leaves virtually no white haze. It is, of course, essential not to apply it too thick. The aftersun smells really good and cools quickly.

The SPF 30 sunscreen is nice and thin, and smoother than the sunscreen for the face. Because of the mineral filter, I also absolutely see the white haze. It would be best if you just accept it, I’m afraid. But please do choose a cream from Lavera so that your spray does not drift away into nature. For the children, there is a pump bottle with SPF 50. I also see a white haze, so apply carefully before your child becomes a ghost! Is the sun not showing yet? hen use the fine self-tanning cream for your face. This gives you a subtle tanned look.

The new Sensitive Sun line from Lavera is entirely natural (all Lavera products are, by the way) and is also a good choice if you are sensitive to rashes. The name says it all, huh?

Lavera sunscreen in short

• UV filter type: mineral
• Active UV filter: titanium dioxide and zinc oxide
• Oxybenzone, oxtinocate or PABA: no
• Nanoparticles: non-nano
• Microplastics: no
• Perfume-free: yes
• Cruelty-free: yes
• Coral friendly/reef safe: yes
• Vegan: yes
• Water-resistant: no
• Packaging: recyclable plastic
• Hand luggage size: yes
• Price tag: €15.89 for 50 ml face cream | €27.99 for 100 ml for your body
• Where to buy: Amazon

Dr. Jetske Ultee sunscreen – SPF 15 & SPF 30

dr. Jetske Ultee is a big name in skincare because of the high-quality products. Dr. Jetske Ultee speaks about skincare on her blog and in her book. For example, she is actively campaigning for sunscreen because we don’t really use enough sunscreen at all. dr. Jetske Ultee wants applying sunscreen to become as natural as brushing your teeth. Check out the campaign page, it is full of fun information for children to use for a speech, for example.

The Suncover sunscreen is part of a campaign. It is sold on a non-profit basis. It allows for as many people as possible to sunbathe safely for a friendly price. The organization develops teaching material for children about safe sunbathing with the proceeds. It is a beautiful white bottle with an odorless sunscreen that spreads smoothly, without a white haze. AND! This sunscreen came out on top in the test from the Dutch Consumers’ Association in 2021.

There are also two smaller pump bottles: Suncare SPF 15 and Suncare SPF 30. These are especially made for your face and hands. You need to use very little to cover your entire face, so you can use the product for a long time. The sunscreen spreads nicely and is not greasy but rather a bit stiff. It is not a replacement for your day cream, but rather a supplement.

You may notice that dr. Jetske Ultee sunscreen uses other types of filters. Those so-called chemical filters that we talked about earlier. Don’t worry though. Chemical is not necessarily bad! Just like mineral is not necessarily good. The carbon in the filter (Tinosorb in this case) absorbs the UV radiation so that it can no longer cause damage to the skin cells.

Dr. Jetske Ultee sunscreen in short

• UV filter type: chemical
• Active UV filter: Suncare: Tinosorb S and TinosorbM, Suncover: Uvinul-A-Plus, Tinosorb S, Ensulizole and Tinosorb A2B.
• Oxybenzone, octinoxate or PABA: no
• Nanoparticles: nano
• Microplastics: yes
• Perfume-free: yes
• Cruelty-free: yes
• Coral friendly/reef safe: yes
• Vegan: yes
• Water-resistant: yes
• Packaging: recyclable plastic
• Hand luggage size: Suncare yes, Suncover no
• Price tag: € 16.95 for 250 ml Suncover | from € 35.95 for 50 ml Suncare
• Where to buy: dr. Jetske Ultee’s webshop

HappySoaps sunscreen – SPF 20 & SPF 30

The plastic-free and natural sunscreen sticks from HappySoaps make me happy. They have a nice tropical scent with a hint of lime. I immediately feel like a cocktail on the beach!

You can first put the sunscreen on your hands and then spread it out, but I think it’s better to apply a layer of the eco-friendly sunscreen directly to the skin with the stick. If the stick is still cold, you need to apply with a little more force. Once it’s warmed up, it’s easier. Once you spread it, the lemon scent hits you even more. Not sticky and messy, but nice and moisturizing.

The sunscreen is made from only natural ingredients and is vegan. The sticks are handmade in the Netherlands. HappySoaps was born out of frustration with all the plastic packaging of personal care products. Can’t we do better? Hell yes. HappySoaps now has a wide range of packaging-free shampoos, conditioners, and body lotions. And if zero waste is no option yet, they opt for plastic-free solutions.

HappySoaps sunscreen in short

• UV filter type: mineral
• Active UV filter: zinc oxide and titanium oxide
• Oxybenzone, octinoxate or PABA: no
• Nanoparticles: nano
• Microplastics: no
• Perfume-free: yes
• Cruelty-free: yes
• Coral friendly/reef safe: yes
• Vegan: yes
• Water-resistant: yes
• Packaging: recycled cardboard
• Hand luggage size: yes
• Price tag: € 14.99 for 50 grams
• Where to buy: at their webshop

Earth.Line sunscreen – SPF 20 & SPF 15

Another Dutch brand! Love my country! Earth.Line uses subtle, earthy colors for their packaging. The packaging is still made of recyclable plastic, but Earth.Line is working on even more sustainable solutions. The SPF 20 from Earth.Line is meant for both your face and your body. It smells nice and fresh, a little floral, but not too intense. There is no synthetic perfume in this natural sunscreen, but there are essential oils. There have to be, Marieke (representative of Earth.Line) tells me: they need to cover up the scent of some other ingredients (the natural sunscreen filter does not smell good at all).

The sunscreen spreads well. You can see the well-known white haze with the capillaries, but if you do not apply it too thick, it is not so bad. In addition to the SPF 20, Earth.Line also has a good sunscreen for your face with factor 15. It spreads great and leaves no white haze. And for your lips, there is a small tube with SPF 10. Suppose you are fond of the sun products, Earth.Line also has more products for your face and body.

By the way, with Earth.Line, you see what I told you about earlier with the new regulations about whether or not to put nano on the packaging. In the past, it wasn’t necessary with this mineral sunscreen; now it is. And nothing has changed in the product. The nanoparticles are coated so that the mineral sunscreen is easy to spread, by the way.

Let’s talk about the name because Earth.Line calls their sunscreen Argan Sun Care. But what is argan? That turns out to be a vegetable oil from the argan tree, which produces fruits that are somewhat similar to olives —all ingredients that Earth.Line uses in the sunscreen are natural. You could eat the sunscreen! Well, threoretically, Earth.Line adds. So don’t! Just spread it nicely.

Earth.Line sunscreen in short

• UV filter type: mineral
• Active UV filter: titanium dioxide and zinc oxide
• Oxybenzone, octinoxate or PABA: no
• Nanoparticles: coated nano
• Microplastics: no
• Perfume-free: yes
• Cruelty-free: yes
• Coral friendly/reef safe: yes
• Vegan: yes
• Water-resistant: yes
• Packaging: recyclable plastic
• Hand luggage size: the face cream and lip balm are, but the regular sunscreen is not
• Price tag: € 29.95 for 150 ml SPF 20 | €24.99 for 50 ml SPF 15
• Where to buy: try Holland & Barrett

Australian Gold sunscreen – SPF 30 & SPF 50

Australian Gold is perhaps the best-known brand on this list. But are they sustainable? You should! Australian Gold has developed a beautiful botanical line with a mineral filter. This sunscreen is specially made for your face in factor 50. The packaging is chic off-white with golden details and a colorful botanical drawing.

I am a bit wary of the sunscreen on my face at first. It is tinted, so it has some color. I am afraid that I am way too white for the cream and will end up with a so-called plastered face, but nothing could be further from the truth. With my fair skin full of freckles and dark spots, this Australian Gold sunscreen is perfect. I use the medium-tan version, but there is also a fair-light version that’s a bit lighter. The cream gives a somewhat matte look, which I really like: as if there is a soft talcum layer on me. To me, that feels nice and fresh.

This mineral sunscreen nicely as if it were a normal face cream. This one is almost odorless by the way. A very nice product for your face, especially for ladies, because of the color it contains. In case you want to know precisely: it is a BB cream. Excuse me? The BB stands for beauty balm and is a tinted, moisturizing cream. Learned something today! 😉

Australian Gold sunscreen in short

• UV filter type: mineral
• Active UV filter: titanium dioxide
• Oxybenzone, octinoxate or PABA: no
• Nanoparticles: non-nano
• Microplastics: yes
• Perfume-free: yes
• Cruelty-free: yes
• Cruelty-free/reef safe: yes
• Vegan: yes
• Water-resistant: yes (up to 80 minutes, reapplying is a good idea anyway)
• Packaging: recyclable plastic
• Hand luggage size: yes
• Price tag: €31.95 for 89 ml for your face
• Where to buy: at Amazon

ATTITUDE sunscreen – SPF 30

ATTITUDE sunscreens come in cheerful boxes and packaging. The face stick is a handy thing to easily rub your face with sunscreen. You apply some smudges on your face and then spread it on. Very easy and spreadable. It’s small enough for your hand luggage too.

If you do your very best, you can smell a regular sunscreen scent. But actually, the smell of the ATTITUDE sunscreen is best described as neutral. The body cream with factor 30 is a somewhat thicker cream, you have to really try to apply and spread it properly. If you use too much of it, you will get a white haze. So apply wisely! ATTITUDE now seems to have completely switched to sunscreen sticks, the creams are no longer or hardly available.

Worry-free, it says on the packaging. And it really is. It has not been tested on animals, it is even vegan and it is coral friendly. It is also hypoallergenic, so if you are prone to skin irritations, the ATTITUDE sunscreen is a good option for you. The brand also has other sun products (also for children, which are less spreadable) and a nice after sun.

ATTITUDE sunscreen in short

• UV filter type: mineral
• Active UV filter: zinc oxide
• Oxybenzone, octinoxate or PABA: no
• Nanoparticles: non-nano
• Microplastics: no
• Perfume-free: yes
• Cruelty-free: yes
• Cruelty-free/reef safe: yes
• Vegan: yes
• Water-resistant: no
• Packaging: recyclable plastic
• Hand luggage size: no, but the face stick is
• Price tag: €17.50 for the face stick
• Where to buy: Amazon

Alteya sunscreen – SPF 30

Alteya makes its products in Bulgaria and is best known for its popular Bulgarian rose water. But they also have sunscreen, for adults and children. It is an entirely organic product, which means that the farmers do not use fertilizers and chemical pesticides on their land.

Alteya prevents a white haze by applying a shade to the cream. The cream looks a bit like a granular foundation. It does not work well on every skin color, so test that with your own skin tone – you don’t want to end up orange! You can also help prevent that haze by not applying too much. The Alteya sunscreen applies a bit more stiffly than you may be used to from sunscreens with chemical filters.

The sunscreen has a natural, earthy fragrance that lingers for a long time. The cheerful orange tube is small enough to take with you in your hand luggage.

Alteya sunscreen in short

• UV filter type: mineral
• Active UV filter: zinc oxide
• Oxybenzone, octinoxate or PABA: no
• Nanoparticles: non-nano, uncoated
• Microplastics: ?
• Perfume-free: yes
• Cruelty-free: yes
• Cruelty-free/reef safe: yes
• Vegan: no
• Water-resistant: no
• Packaging: recyclable plastic
• Hand luggage size: yes
• Price tag: € 24,95 for 90 ml
• Where to buy: Amazon

Choose your favorite sustainable or natural sunscreen

Lots of choice, huh? And this is just a selection of the complete range. Because the compositions and packaging of sustainable sunscreen are still in development and research, I, unfortunately, do not have THE answer for you. Not one of these sunscreens is THE best. All of them are wise choices, though – and a lot more sustainable than the sun products you know from the past.

It is up to you to determine what is important to you. Do you want a vegan sunscreen? Do you prefer zinc oxide? Or would you like a certain factor or preferably a Dutch brand? I hope this blog has helped you a bit and made you a bit wiser.

My personal favorites

Curious about which sustainable sunscreen I would buy?

My favorites: Australian Gold Botanical for my face, Earth.Line or Naif (lotion!) for my body. And a stick of ATTITUDE for example as a backup in my bag.

I wouldn’t buy these again: Alteya (too thick), Lavera, Attitude creams and Nivea (too much white haze).

But! All brands are always adjusting their formulas to make their products more durable, spreadable, etc. So it may be that there is an improved version on the market this year.

Sustainable sunscreen “do’s”

In short, what you can do to sunbathe more sustainably and healthier:

• Buy sunscreen without oxybenzone (also called Benzofen-3 or bp-3), octinoxate, and PABA.
• Avoid ANY alcohol and perfumes, especially if you have sensitive skin.
• Check whether your sunscreen is animal testing/cruelty-free, and maybe even vegan.
• Do not use sprays.
• Do NOT enter the water for half an hour after applying your sunscreen.
• Share this article with everyone you know so that we all take good care of ourselves and nature!

All brands have provided me with their sunscreen product free of charge. None of them had any influence on the contents of this article..

First published: April 2019. The article has been updated since.