18 Best Natural and Organic Sunscreens, Tested by Skin Scientists (original) (raw)

1

Best Overall Natural Body Sunscreen

Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Sun Milk Body Lotion SPF 50

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Credit: Hawaiian Tropic

Pros

• Smooth and easy to apply
• Won't dehydrate skin
• Great scent

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."

2

Best Overall Natural Face Sunscreen

Colorescience Total Protection No-Show Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

Pros

• Doesn't leave a residue on skin
• Easy to apply
• Gentle formula
• Works well with makeup

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."

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3

Best Tinted Natural Sunscreen

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50

Pros

• Lightweight liquid formula
• Sheer tint evens skin tone
• Mild on skin

Cons

• Only comes in one shade

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.

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4

Best Natural Sunscreen for Under Makeup

Sun Bum Mineral Non-Tinted Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 30

Pros

• Not irritating, sticky or greasy
• Smooth texture works well with makeup
• Doesn't run into eyes

Cons

• Could leave a visible residue on skin

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.

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5

Most Hydrating Natural Sunscreen

Dr. Dennis Gross All-Physical Ultimate Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50

Credit: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare

Pros

• Easy application
• Leaves skin moisturized
• Doesn't sting

Cons

• Cap can easily detach from the tube
• Expensive

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.

6

Best Natural Sunscreen for Acne-Prone Skin

Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 50+

Pros

• Doesn't bring on breakouts
• Matte finish
• Appealing fragrance
• Non-irritating

Cons

• Could leave a visible residue on some skin tones
• Pricey

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."

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7

Best Value Natural Sunscreen

Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen Mineral Lotion SPF 50

Pros

• Great sun protection
• Appealing scent
• Not oily
• Doesn't irritate eyes

Cons

• Could leave a residue that's hard to remove

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."

8

Best Natural Sunscreen for Oily Skin

ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica Ultralight Emulsion SPF 50

Pros

• Not oily or sticky
• Matte effect
• Mild, non-irritating formula

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.

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9

Best Natural Sunscreen Spray

Bare Republic Mineral Sunscreen Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 50

Now 26% Off

Credit: Bare Republic

Pros

• Easy to use
• Not irritating, oily or drying
• Strong sun protection

Cons

• May take time to soak in and leave a white cast

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!"

10

Best Natural Face Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin

Bare Republic Mineral Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30

Pros

• Doesn't irritate skin
• Not greasy or tacky

Cons

• Liquid can separate, so bottle must be shaken before use

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."

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11

Best Natural Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Body Shield SPF 50

Pros

• Doesn't irritate skin or eyes
• Smooth, easy to apply texture

Cons

• Can be sticky, greasy and hard to remove

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**.**

12

Best Organic Sunscreen

Coola Organic Classic Body Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50

Pros

• Made with a majority of organic ingredients
• Gentle on skin
• Won't transfer to clothing

Cons

• Fruity fragrance was polarizing

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.

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13

Best Natural Sunscreen for Babies

Babo Botanicals Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50

Pros

• Contains natural plant-derived ingredients
• Easy to apply
• Not oily or drying on skin
• Works on babies, children and adults

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.

14

Best Natural Sunscreen for Dry Skin

Coppertone Pure & Simple Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50

Pros

• Softens skin
• Easy application
• Strong sun protection
• Great value

Cons

• Some users found it tacky and greasy

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.

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15

Best Natural Sunscreen for Mature Skin

Neutrogena SheerZinc Face Sunscreen SPF 50

Pros

• Smooth, hydrating feel
• Works well with makeup
• Strong sun protection

Cons

• May leave a white film on skin

Neutrogena's great value zinc oxide face sunscreen was easy to apply and effective at preventing sunburn in GH Beauty Lab testing. T he 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.

16

Best Natural Sunscreen for Dark Skin

SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 35

Pros

• Won't leave a white film on skin
• Not greasy or tacky
• Works well with makeup

Cons

• Expensive
• Not water-resistant

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.

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17

Best Fragrance-Free Natural Sunscreen

MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème Sunscreen SPF 50

Pros

• Soaks in quickly
• Smooth texture
• Fragrance-free

Cons

• Could leave a visible residue on skin

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.

18

Best Scented Natural Sunscreen

Ulta Beauty Mineral Sunscreen Body Lotion SPF 50

Pros

• Smooth texture
• Pleasant scent
• Not sticky or greasy

Cons

• May leave a white film and be difficult to wash off

Ulta Beauty’s mineral sunscreen lotion, bargain priced per ounce, was a Beauty Lab test winner thanks to its “light, clean” scent and satiny feel. The rich lotion earned the highest score for texture among the mineral formulas and overall for its appealing aroma, plus performed strongly at not feeling tacky or oily. But it may be difficult to rinse off, leave a white residue on skin and rub off on fabrics, testers found. “Loved the scent and the texture, and the mineral ingredients work beautifully,” one said. Two described it as “smooth and silky.”

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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

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.