The Best Organic Sunscreens of 2023

With only nine components, the Two Peas Organics chemical-free mineral sunscreen has an appealingly short ingredients list. The high amount of zinc oxide appears to make it show up very visibly on your skin, so be prepared to buff this one in. Reviewers liked the feel of the formula, but noted you might need to work it in the tube a bit before trying to apply it. Like the other sunscreens on this list, Two Peas uses non-nano zinc oxide, so this formula is reef-safe. The organics claim is supported by NSF, verifying it contains at least 70% organic ingredients. Leaping Bunny certifies that this sunscreen is not tested on animals. This sunscreen is also available in an SPF 50 version.

As a small business, Goddess Garden Organics is starting to build a reputation for their great organic sunscreens. This sunscreen is endorsed by the EWG as a-low hazard product, using titanium dioxide (6.4%) and zinc oxide (6%) for active ingredients. With a lower zinc oxide percentage, this improved formula should have a reduced white cast and show up less on darker skin. Some reviewers preferred the spray version, noting it smoothed on easier than the tube. Other shoppers felt that the consistency was fairly normal and suggested keeping an eye on the expiry date, since the consistency changes then.

Babo’s Sheer Zinc Sunscreen is a mineral sunscreen that uses zinc oxide (12%) to provide SPF 30 protection. While this sunscreen contains some organic ingredients, it’s not properly certified as organic. The cruelty-free claim is verified by PETA, and the company meets the standards for B Corp Certification, which implies a range of social benefits from waste management to diversity and inclusion among its workforce).

As a fragrance-free option, some reviewers verified that the smell was very faint. Reviewers liked how quickly the spray dispenses and how well it works on darker skin, though others found that the sprayer clogged easily. It’s not easy to remove, which could be a benefit or an inconvenience depending on your point of view.

With a high zinc oxide content, at 23%, the texture of this sunscreen was the focus of several reviews. Some folks noted it was very waterproof, calling it “waxy and thick” but difficult to apply. Compared to Raw Element’s other, similar tube sunscreen, the tin seems to be the preferable packaging for this product. The certified organic ingredients had one of the highest percentages on this list, and the animal-cruelty-free claim is verified by Leaping Bunny. There are no ingredients considered harmful to reefs or corals, and the packaging is tin without a plastic liner.

Reviewers commented on the unique smell, describing it as nutty and unique. Some users found the scent unpleasant, but said it dissipated quickly. With the thick texture, one reviewer recommended not reapplying it in sandy environments, but going back to a bathroom to keep sand out of the container.

Sweat and water resistant for up to 80 minutes, this updated Blue Lizard sensitive sunscreen formula is great for use on the whole family. Free of parabens and fragrance as well as chemical-free active ingredients, this sunscreen is reef safe so you can enjoy the outdoors without worrying about damaging the earth or your skin.

Blue Lizard has created mineral and mineral-based sunscreens for over 20 years with dermatologists approval so you know you can trust them to protect your loved ones. Reviews mention that this sunscreen can be difficult to apply and might leave a white cast for some but for most it seems to dry shiny. This sunscreen might also be a bit hard to wash off but we think that this speaks to the quality of coverage.