How to Choose the Best Clean Sunscreen for Your Skin

There are three main things to look for when choosing a clean sunscreen: one that is mineral-based, broad spectrum, and has a SPF of at least 30.  If you're going to be in the water or sweating a lot, I would also make sure that it is water-resistant.  Fun fact: there’s no such thing as waterproof sunscreen (!) so the best you can do is get a water-resistant one.

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Which is better: mineral or chemical sunscreens?

Mineral-based and chemical-based sunscreens work differently to protect you from the sun.  Mineral sunscreens include titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as their active ingredients, which create a barrier on your skin to reflect UV light. More importantly, these minerals don’t get absorbed into your skin or bloodstream. In contrast, chemical sunscreens actually absorb UV rays, which reduces the damage the sun does to your skin. Chemical sunscreens often contain at least one or more of these ingredients: oxybenzone, octinoxate, cinoxate, dioxybenzone, ensulizole, homosalate, meradimate, octisalate, octocrylene, padimate O, sulisobenzone, and avobenzone. Studies have indicated that these ingredients could have harmful effects on your body. For example, oxybenzone has been shown to disturb your body’s endocrine system and potentially even your fertility. Another study found that octocrylene eventually breaks down into benzophenone – a carcinogen and endocrine disruptor.  

In addition to being better for your health, mineral sunscreens have the added benefit of being better for the environment. Chemical sunscreens have been found to damage coral reefs and cause reproductive issues in sea urchins and fish.  

In the past, mineral sunscreens had a bad reputation for their chalkiness and thick texture, which drove many people to choose chemical sunscreens instead. However, the technology has evolved and now it’s much easier to find mineral sunscreens that have a better feel and look. At the same time, brands have started to make tinted mineral face sunscreens, making chalkiness a thing of the past. 

What SPF sunscreen should I be using? 

SPF, or sun protection factor, essentially tells you how well a sunscreen protects you from UVB light (rays that will burn your skin). Interestingly, there isn't a big difference in protection between SPF 30 sunscreen and those above SPF 30.  Specifically, a SPF 30 sunscreen protects you from 97% of the sun’s UVB rays, while a SPF 50 sunscreen protects you from 98% of the sun’s UVB rays. And a SPF 100 sunscreen protects you from 99% of the sun’s UVB rays. The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends using a sunscreen with at least a SPF 30 or higher.

Which is better: broad spectrum or regular sunscreen? 

When choosing a sunscreen, it’s best to use one that is broad spectrum. This type of sunscreen protects you from both UVA rays (which can cause early skin aging) and UVB rays (which can cause sunburn). Sunscreens that are not specifically labeled as broad spectrum will only protect you from one type of UV ray (usually just UVB), so it's best to use one that is more comprehensive.

What are the best clean sunscreens to use?

For my face, I personally love a good tinted sunscreen and one of my favorites is Ilia's Super Serum Skin Tint, which provides a light, dewy look along with great, clean sun protection (SPF 40, broad spectrum, and zinc-based). I also love the sun-kissed look that Iris & Romeo Weekend Skin SPF 50 Instant Glow Tinted Mineral Sunscreen with Vitamin C gives me (along with solid sun protection). If you're looking for a non-tinted face sunscreen that is also good for sensitive skin, I would recommend Native's Mineral Face Sunscreen.

For clean body sunscreens, I use Supergoop's PLAY 100% Mineral Lotion (make sure to get the100% mineral one and not the ones that include chemicals like avobenzone!). I also like Eleven by Venus Williams, which has a light, airy texture and a higher SPF of 50. If you're looking for a clean suncreen with a more affordable price point, try Sun Bum's Mineral Sunscreen.