While “non-toxic” can be a rather amorphous (and unregulated) term in beauty, a quest to find the best non-toxic sunscreen generally starts with one question: Is it chemical, or physical?
“The term ‘non-toxic’ is often used in relation to physical sunscreens, whose sun-protective properties rely solely on the mineral filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxide,” explains Valerie Aparovich, a certified cosmetologist, aesthetician, and biochemist at OnSkin, whose job involves analyzing cosmetic formulas for safety. “Physical sunscreens create a shield on the skin’s surface rather than being absorbed into the body and pose no common health concerns through contact with the skin, according to scientific research.”
That said, not all physical sunscreens are created the same. “I advise prioritizing safety and efficacy over marketing claims,” says Rachel Day, MD, board-certified dermatologist and Chief Medical Officer at Zest Health, a virtual dermatology clinic. “A truly skin-safe mineral sunscreen will be both protective and gentle.”
Vogue’s Favorite Non-Toxic Sunscreens:
Ahead, find the non-toxic sunscreens that live up to their claims while protecting and nurturing the skin, according to dermatologists and industry pros.
In This Story:
Blue Lizard Mineral Sunscreen
- Why We Love It: Of all the pros we tapped to weigh in on this piece—and there were many—nearly every one recommended Blue Lizard Mineral Sunscreen. There must be something in the air, or rather, in the formula, of this dermatologist, biochemist, and facial plastic surgeon-approved pick. Let’s break it down. Nava Greenfield, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City, ticks off its attributes: “This is soothing, as it contains aloe vera, and it’s nontoxic for the skin and environment,” she says. “It’s a mineral sunscreen free of harsh chemicals, and it has broad-spectrum coverage.” Aparovich praises the ingredients. “Featuring a safe mineral filter—zinc oxide—to shield the skin, it provides reliable broad-spectrum protection while rubbing smoothly into your skin,” she says. “A great pick for dry, normal, sensitive, and dehydrated skin, it’s packed with plant-based oils like shea butter and sunflower oil to nourish the skin and protect it from moisture loss.” She adds that it also has aloe barbadensis leaf extract to hydrate and soothe, and caprylic/capric triglyceride and squalane to moisturize the skin and strengthen its barrier. Another recommendation comes from Arnold Breitbart, MD, head plastic surgeon at Long Island Facelift. “I’ve used Blue Lizard for years—way before the whole non-toxic sunscreen craze. It’s always been one of my go-tos,” he says. “It offers great sun protection, has no harsh chemicals, and it’s good on sensitive skin.”
- Chemical or Physical: Physical (titanuim dioxide 8%, zinc oxide 10%)
- Key Ingredients: Organic aloe, shea butter, sunflower oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride, squalane
- SPF Level: 50
- Texture: Lotion
- Size: 5 fl oz
EltaMD UV AOX Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 Tinted Face Sunscreen
- Why We Love It: Ideal for sensitive skin, this tinted face sunscreen blurs imperfections in a range of skin tones while infusing the skin with health-boosting antioxidants. With zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, “This offers 100% mineral sun protection,” Day says. “The inclusion of hyaluronic acid and vitamin E helps maintain skin hydration and reduce oxidative stress, while iron oxides provide added protection against visible light.” She adds that protection from high-energy visible light (or HEV) is key for patients with pigmentation concerns or photosensitive conditions.
- Chemical or Physical: Physical (zinc oxide 13.5%, titanium dioxide 4.4%)
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, iron oxides
- SPF Level: 50
- Texture: Lotion
- Size: 1.7 oz
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Sunscreen
- Why We Love It: “I love this La Roche-Posay sunscreen because it’s gentle enough for the face, strong enough for the body, and packed with vitamin E, antioxidants, and botanical extracts that calm skin without compromising protection from the sun,” says Dr. Day. An expert in eczema and psoriasis, she adds that the formula is soothing on skin that’s irritated from either condition. With a lightweight, fluid texture, the sunscreen sinks right into the skin, drying with a matte finish. It’s enriched with a bit of proprietary magic, too: La Roche-Posay’s Cell-Ox Shield technology combines UVA and UVB filters with antioxidant sun protection from tropical-leaf extracts. The brand’s signature ingredient—thermal spring water from the French town La Roche-Posay—is also present in the formula, bringing a soothing touch.
- Chemical or Physical: Physical (titanium dioxide 6%, zinc oxide 5%)
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, botanical extracts, La Roche-Posay thermal spring water
- SPF Level: 50
- Texture: Fluid
- Size: 1.7 fl oz
Forah Everyday Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
- Why We Love It: Like the Erewhon smoothie of sunscreens, Forah’s SPF 30 formula blends a cocktail of antioxidant-packed ingredients—think organic sea buckthorn oil, organic cold-pressed golden jojoba oil, and organic sweet almond oil—that almost sound good enough to drink. (Please don’t, though.) Greenfield can hardly get enough of the luxurious, chicly packaged sun protection, which is also loaded with collagen-boosting botanical extracts. “It’s certified organic, which I love,” she says. “It has both zinc and titanium dioxide along with antioxidants, natural-based oils, and seaweed extract, which hydrate and protect the skin. It’s also free from nanoparticles, harsh chemicals, and dyes.” Plus, with a silky, creamy texture that melts into the skin, the complexion-nourishing sunscreen wears like a dream.
- Chemical or Physical: Physical (non-nano zinc oxide 10%, non-nano titanium dioxide 7%)
- Key Ingredients: Organic sea buckthorn oil, organic cold-pressed golden jojoba oil, organic sweet almond oil, seaweed extract, biodynamic avocado oil
- SPF Level: 30
- Texture: Silky cream
- Size: 2.87 oz
Kosas DreamBeam Comfy Smooth Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40
- Why We Love It: Ideal as a makeup base, Kosas’s hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested formula can also be worn on its own to revive the skin with a hint of dewy tint. “Mineral-filter based, this formula is still easy to apply and reapply quickly and evenly, thanks to a peachy-pink tint that helps neutralize the typical bluish-white cast of zinc oxide,” Aparovich says. (In addition to the pinkish Original hue, the formula comes in the warm, golden Sunlit shade.) “While protecting your skin from sun damage, the smart formula also blends skincare ingredients like ceramides, peptides, galactoarabinan, bioflavonoids, allantoin, and glycoproteins,” Aparovich continues. “These moisturize and comfort the skin, and support its protective barrier throughout UV exposure.” She adds that the sunscreen works for dry and normal skin types, and is also suitable for sensitive skin. Pro tip: If using it as a makeup base, let the product dry for three to five minutes before layering it with other products.
- Chemical or Physical: Physical (non-nano zinc oxide 21.7%)
- Key Ingredients: Ceramides, peptides, allantoin, hyaluronic acid
- SPF Level: 40
- Texture: Fluid
- Size: 1.3 oz
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50
- Why We Love It: With tone-adapting pigments, Colorescience’s smart SPF 50 comes in four shades ranging from Fair to Deep. “Combining skincare and sun protection, this tinted sunscreen adapts to various skin tones and provides a matte finish,” says Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in Manhattan and New Jersey. The mineral sunscreen is cruelty-free, and it’s made without parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and fragrance. What it does contain is EnviroScreen Technology, a patented defense system that guards the skin against UVA and UVB rays, blue light, pollution, and infrared radiation. Pro tip: The brand recommends rubbing the formula between the fingers before applying it to activate its pigments.
- Chemical or Physical: Physical (zinc oxide 12%)
- Key Ingredients: EnviroScreen Technology, iron oxide pigments
- SPF Level: 50
- Texture: Liquid
- Size: 1.8 fl oz
Avène Mineral Sunscreen Multi-Defense Fluid SPF 50+
- Why We Love It: “This offers optimal SPF 50+ broad-spectrum protection in a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula that blends into the skin, leaving no white cast, greasiness, or sticky residue,” Aparovich says. “It's also enriched with several skin-loving ingredients that help defend the skin against the harmful effects of UV exposure, including tocopherol (vitamin E) for hydration and antioxidant support, bisabolol and allantoin to soothe and calm, and niacinamide to brighten and target pigmentation.” The sheer, lightweight fluid is also a go-to for Dr. Garshick, who notes: “This mineral sunscreen offers high protection with a lightweight texture, suitable for daily use on sensitive skin.”
- Chemical or Physical: Physical (zinc oxide 12%)
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, bisbolol, allantoin, niacinamide
- SPF Level: 50
- Texture: Lightweight fluid
- Size: 1.3 fl oz
Grown Alchemist Natural Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 30
- Why We Love It: “This Grown Alchemist SPF is not only non-toxic, it is a vegan formulation,” says Dr. Greenfield. “It uses natural ingredients such as rosehip oil, castor seed oil, lavender oil, coconut oil, and calendula for a hydrating and smooth application.” But moisturizing the skin isn’t its only capability. “This also has almost 20% zinc oxide for a tested and strong SPF,” Dr. Greenfield adds. The zinc oxide in question is ultra-sheer, so it vanishes into the skin without a trace—hence, the brand describes this hydrating salve as “invisible natural protection.”
- Chemical or Physical: Physical (zinc oxide 19%)
- Key Ingredients: Castor seed oil, rosehip seed oil, lavender oil, parsley seed oil, candelilla wax, coconut oil
- SPF Level: 30
- Texture: Lightweight cream
- Size: 1.69 fl oz
Fig. 1 Mineral Sunscreen With Zinc Oxide
- Why We Love It: Dermatologist-developed and clinically tested. Fig. 1’s mineral sunscreen has a stamp of approval from Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “This is an all-mineral SPF without a white cast, and it absorbs quickly,” she says, moving on to praise its ingredients. “Sea algae derivatives offer DNA repair while hyaluronic acid and glycerin hydrate the skin. Squalane, triglycerides, and meadowfoam seed oil support the skin barrier, and bisabolol soothes the skin.” With a milky texture, the sunscreen blends into the skin with an undetectable finish, and the product is fragrance-free.
- Chemical or Physical: Physical (18.76% zinc oxide)
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, sea algae extract
- SPF Level: 50
- Texture: Milky fluid
- Size: 1.7 fl oz
Vanicream Facial Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 50
- Why We Love It: According to Dr. Day, “Vanicream Facial Moisturizer with SPF 30 offers a practical, cost-effective solution for daily sun protection, particularly for individuals with sensitive skin.” She adds that Vanicream is a long-standing leader in hypoallergenic skincare and is known to formulate its sunscreens without common irritants. “This makes this product a dependable option for my eczema and psoriasis patients seeking broad-spectrum SPF in a well-tolerated, affordable moisturizer,” she notes.
- Chemical or Physical: Physical (zinc oxide 19.5%)
- Key Ingredients: squalane, glycerin, ceramides
- SPF Level: 30
- Texture: Lotion
- Size: 2.5 oz
Everything You Need to Know
What is a non-toxic sunscreen?
“There is no formal definition that qualifies something as non-toxic, but when it comes to sunscreens, it generally refers to those that don’t contain ingredients like oxybenzone or other chemical filters,” Dr. Garshick explains.
Aparovich, whose role as a biochemist at OnSkin involves safety analysis of cosmetic formulas, dives in deeper. “Non-toxic refers to a sunscreen containing no components that can be potentially detrimental to human health from the overall formulation perspective. It means that neither UV filters nor any auxiliary ingredients, such as stabilizers, emulsifiers, film-forming agents, preservatives, or fragrances, can induce known or suspected hazards, including skin irritation and sensitization, allergic reactions, endocrine disruptions, genotoxicity, and more,” she explains.
While it’s commonly thought that, in sunscreens, “non-toxic” refers to mineral sunscreens only, Aparovich dispels the myth. “From a human safety standpoint, sunscreen formulas may include both mineral (physical) and/or organic (chemical) filters, with no adverse effects associated with them,” she stipulates.
Are non-toxic sunscreens as good as traditional sunscreens?
“Mineral or non-toxic sunscreens are just as effective as traditional sunscreens when used correctly,” says Dr. Day. “For my patients with eczema or psoriasis, I actually prefer them. They’re less likely to cause stinging, burning, or flares, and provide excellent broad-spectrum protection.” Just like any sunscreen, she says, non-toxic ones need to be applied generously and reapplied often, especially after sweating or swimming.
What to Look for in a Non-Toxic Sunscreen
Overall, Aparovich advocates looking for a sunscreen formula suited to an individual’s skin type. “People with oily, combination, or acne-prone skin should opt for products free from comedogenic ingredients to avoid clogging pores and triggering inflammation, blackheads, or breakouts,” she says. These ingredients include cacao, palm, coconut, and wheat germ oils, and chemicals like cetylated lanolin alcohol, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl linoleate, isopropyl isostearate, isopropyl palmitate, myristyl lactate, myristyl myristate, laureth-4, oleyl alcohol, and ethylhexyl palmitate.
“These are the ingredients with the highest comedogenicity rate,” she says. People with dry or sensitive skin should avoid harsh alcohols, such as alcohol, alcohol denat, ethanol, or SD alcohol, Aparovich adds. “These ingredients can compromise the skin’s barrier and cause irritation.” Additionally, she notes that an ideal non-toxic sunscreen should provide broad-spectrum protection to shield the skin from UVA and UVB rays and help reduce the risk of complex DNA damage in skin cells.
“Another key point is sunscreen’s sun protection factor, or SPF,” she says. “It indicates how effectively sunscreen can protect your skin from UVB rays, the ultraviolet light associated with sunburn.” Aparovich recommends choosing sunscreens with at least SPF 30, but ideally SPF 50, especially when the UV index is three or higher.
Is there a 100% natural sunscreen?
“Technically, there are sunscreens that claim to be 100% natural, but that term isn’t regulated,” Dr. Day says. “What matters more is that the product is clinically tested, well-tolerated by sensitive skin, and free of known irritants.”
What ingredients should you avoid in sunscreen?
“Three of the most hazardous chemical filters to avoid are oxybenzone (benzophenone-3), homosalate, and octinoxate,” says Aparovich. “Studies have shown oxybenzone to be a common allergen, as well as an irritant to the eyes and skin, and a potential endocrine disruptor.” She adds that homosalate and octinoxate are linked to possible adverse effects on the endocrine system, and that all three ingredients have been shown to have a negative impact on marine life and coral reefs. Additionally, Aparovich recommends avoiding formaldehyde-releasing preservatives like Imidazolidinyl Urea, Quaternium 15, and Diazolidinyl Urea, along with fragrances classified as allergenic, such as cinnamal, citral, farnesol, coumarin, eugenol, geraniol, and others. “These chemicals can trigger allergic reactions and skin irritation,” she notes. Dr. Garshick recommends seeking paraben-free products, as the ingredient can irritate some skin types.
- Valerie Aparovich is a certified cosmetologist, aesthetician, and biochemist at OnSkin.
- Dr. Arnold Breitbart, MD, is the head plastic surgeon at Long Island Facelift.
- Dr. Rachel Day, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and Chief Medical Officer at Zest Health, a virtual dermatology clinic specializing in eczema and psoriasis.
- Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist serving patients in Manhattan, New York, and Englewood, New Jersey.
- Dr. Nava Greenfield, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City
- Dr. Hadley King, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
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