Soak Up The Sun: My Current Favorite Healthy Sunscreen Products

My skincare essentials transitioning into summer are all about nourishing and protecting my skin from the sun while preparing for longer hours outside. Here are some of my recent healthy sunscreen suggestions that I’ve been continuing to use this summer and also toted around Italy on my honeymoon:

~For the face:

ILIA Beauty Moondance SPF 20 refillable translucent powder: I’ve been a fan of ILIA’s first edition translucent powder, Fade Into You since it released 2 years ago. The lightweight, breathable powder is great for daily use, doesn’t irritate my skin, and keeps makeup or skincare in place and free of oiliness. The only downside was the less than perfect packaging, which has gotten very worn and beat-up in my makeup bag.  When ILIA announced, Moondance, an updated version of this product I knew I had to have it! Using the same skin-benefitting blend of organic powders and essential oils as Fade Into You, Moondance is an apt update with natural, non-nano zinc oxide SPF 20 protection and a hint of luminosity due to fine pearl pigment. Moondance features unique skin-benefitting ingredients such as aloe vera, rosemary, thyme, and hibiscus flower extract.

This translucent powder is perfect for summer days spent venturing outside or on any normal day as a daily setting powder. This powder does an amazing job keeping my sweaty summer face from being oily, is lightweight, and lasts for hours. The updated packaging is also a major plus and in my opinion, much easier to use: just swivel the lower end of the tube to lock the retractable brush in “Open”, “Close” or “Buff” mode. The brush is also softer and fuller compared to the one included with Fade Into You. I still love (and need to finish up) Fade Into You and would still recommend it, but Moondance is my current makeup bag mainstay for a daily summer powder. $30 for .06 oz, Credo Beauty or The Detox Market.

Ingredients: Active: Non-nano Zinc Oxide 14%, Inactive: Mica, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch*, Zinc Stearate, Kaolin, Sunflower Oil*, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Leaf, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf*, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Leuconostoc/radish Root Ferment Filtrate. *certified Organic Ingredients. Ingrédients Certifiés Biologiques.

Kimberly Sayer Anti-Oxidant Daily Moisturizing Cream SPF 30*: This rich, creamy daily moisturizer has been a favorite of mine for a while, it’s the type of product that becomes so difficult for me to write of my love for it… Regardless, I cannot stop singing praises about this daily SPF moisturizer that I had to finally talk about it. This product is supremely moisturizing, non-irritating, and luxurious for daily wear yet, the cherry on the top is the non-nano zinc oxide, SPF 30 protection. Not only does this pack a punch for great daily sun protection, the Anti-Oxidant Daily Moisturizing Cream leaves my skin hydrated and supple all day long. A little definitely goes a long way with this facial cream, I only need to use a little bit each day whether I’m wearing it alone or under makeup. In my opinion, the texture of this moisturizer feels a bit richer than other facial sunscreens and initially appears a bit oilier than others but I find that it works very complimentary with my dry skin.

In addition, this product contains live organic extracts and antioxidants like beech bud extract which assists in repairing damaged cells within the skin, and cold pressed borage oil which strengthens cell growth and provides anti-aging benefits. While this British brand may be difficult to find at larger stores in the U.S., I have seen Kimberly Sayer products at a few local health stores and at most Whole Foods Markets. Or buy it online, $33 for 2oz, The Choosy Chick. Thank you Margot from The Choosy Chick for introducing this to me!

Ingredients: DEIONIZED WATER, ZINC OXIDE & TITANIUM DIOXIDE (MINERAL SUNBLOCKERS), SHEA BUTTER, ALOE VERA LEAF JUICE, APRICOT KERNEL OIL, VEGETABLE WAX & GLYCERIN, OAT BETA GLUCAN, OAT KERNEL EXTRACT, SEA ALGAE EXTRACT, OILS OF BORAGE SEED, FORAHA, LAVENDER & WHEAT GERM, ROSE & LAVENDER WATERS, SQUALANE (OLIVES), BEESWAX, PLANT PHOSPHOLIPIDS, VITAMINS A, C & E, EXTRACTS OF BEECH BUD, ROSEBUD, NETTLE LEAF, COMFREY, PLANTAIN & ROSEMARY, SUNFLOWER SEED OIL, VEGETABLE GUM, BENZYL ALCOHOL (PLANT ALCOHOL PRESERVATIVE)

Solavedi Organics Healing Calendula Day Cream with EPF*: I believe the name of this day cream has changed (Calendula Tumeric Day Cream with EPF) but nonetheless, it is a very unique and effective product. Influenced by ayurvedic medicine, Solavedi Organics is a small skincare brand that I find so intriguing. All of the skincare formulas are created by an ayurvedic bodyworker, herbalist, and aromatherapist, in collaboration with a master European skincare therapist and educator. The Healing Calendula Day Cream was another product recommended to me from The Choosy Chick’s Margot (that chick knows her stuff!) and it is a lightweight, gentle, and soothing daily moisturizing cream. This day cream is great for all skin types and was formulated to heal, hydrate and comfort irritated skin featuring natural, nourishing ingredients such as calendula, rose water, turmeric, and carrot.

Not only do the ingredients in this day cream treat and soothe skin, the coolest part about this 93% organic product is that it contains Environmental Protection Factors, or EPF, a combination of antioxidants that protect against environmental aggressors combined with mineral based zinc oxide. The EPF in this day cream provides light sun protection, similar to SPF 8. I enjoy the calming ritual of using this soothing day cream daily and it satisfies my dry skin. The light added sun protection is a plus though I think I would choose a different scent next time as it is a bit strong for my nose. $49 for 2 fl oz, The Choosy Chick or Solavedi Organics.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water),  Cocos Nucifera (Coconut Oil)*, Helianthus Anuus (Sunflower Seed) Oil*, Coco Glucoside (beet derived), Calendula Officialis (Calendula) Flower Extract, Theobroma Cacao (cocoa) Butter*,  Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice*, Persea Gratissimus (Avocado) Oil, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil*, Bayberry Wax, Daucus Carota (Carrot Seed Extract, Hammamelis Virgianiana (non-alcohol Witch Hazel) Rosa Damascena (Certified Organic Rose Distillate Hydrosol), Mangiflora Indica (Mango Seed Butter), Garcinia Indic (Kokum Seed) Butter, Sodium Hyaluronate 1.5% (organic vegan hyaluronic acid) Oneothera Bennis (Evening Primrose) Oil*, Vegetable (Non-Palm, Non-Soy) Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol (emulsifier), 2-Pheylethanol (Rose derived preservative), Turmeric Curcumin Compounds, Methylsulfomylmethane* (MSM, a vegan, organic natural anti-inflammatory compound essential to collagen repair), Citric Acid, Tocopherol (vitamin E), Lactic Acid, Vegan Herb and Fruit Based Stem Cell Blend, Non-nano Particle Zinc Oxide, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzoic Acid  * organic ingredient

Badger Damascus Rose SPF 25 Face Sunscreen*: This cult favorite from Badger now has a new and improved formula with a higher SPF and a milder rose fragrance. I previously had only tried the Damascus Rose Sheer Tint version of this sunscreen (review here) which is also a great product but I personally reach for the non-tinted version more. Featuring damascus rose, lavender, and chamomile, this sunscreen is lightweight, easily blendable, and provides a good amount of daily protection from the sun. This sunscreen is also dermatologist tested and approved non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores), hypoallergenic, 100% certified natural, cruelty-free, and non-GMO certified. Badger is a brand I trust because the ingredients used in their sunscreens are not only safe and effective but are also responsible in the impact on the environment. This broad spectrum sunscreen protects from UVA and UVB rays with non-nano, uncoated zinc oxide, the safest and most effective single mineral active ingredient.  (Read more about zinc oxide and nanoparticles from Badger here and about nanoparticles in sunscreens from the EWG here.)

I prefer this over the non-tinted version just because I like the option of wearing this alone as a moisturizer or wearing it under makeup. However, both tinted and non-tinted formulas are great for everyday use and are my top choices for a face sunscreen. This face sunscreen does not have a heavy white cast, doesn’t appear overly greasy on the face, and has a pleasant rose scent. (The updated formula is much more muted than past formulas which I do appreciate.) $19.99 for 1.6 fl oz, The Choosy Chick or Badger.

Ingredients: Face Sunscreen Active Ingredient: Uncoated, Non-Nano Zinc Oxide 14%, Other Face Sunscreen Ingredients: *Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Juice, *Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil, Coco-Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol (and) Coco-Glucoside, Sambucus Nigra (Elderberry) Fruit Extract, Microcrystalline Cellulose (and) Cellulose Gum, Glucose (and) Lactoperoxidase (and) Glucose Oxidase, *Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil, *Glycerin, Citric Acid, Sorbitan Caprylate, Glyceryl Caprylate, *Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Oil, Xanthan Gum, *Hippophae Rhamnoides (Seabuckthorn) Fruit Extract, *Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Fruit Extract, Undecylenic Acid, *Rosa Damascena (Rose) Flower Oil, Lecithin, Sodium Gluconate,*Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Oil, *Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Flower Extract. * = Organic.  All ingredients are sustainably sourced from plants, minerals, or are a product of fermentation. Some ingredients may have been processed from corn, soy, or wheat. 100% Certified Natural by NPA, Non-GMO certified by NSF to NSF Non-GMO True North

~For the body:
Badger Balm Face and Body Sunscreen SPF 30*: A new sunscreen release from Badger, the Face and Body Sunscreen has been one of my favorites this summer. This SPF 30 product is convenient in it’s a daily sunscreen for use on the face and body and like all other Badger sunscreens, provides broad spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays using non-nano, uncoated zinc oxide. The formula is lightweight and moisturizing, featuring a light lotion base with aloe and antioxidant-rich sunflower oil and no added fragrance. I do think after applying this sunscreen there is a noticeable white cast but it is much more minimal compared to other natural body sunscreens I have tried. Plus, this product feels lighter and is more blendable than others I’ve used.

The easily toteable squeeze tube packaging also makes this product easy to travel anywhere with and to share with others. (I brought this around wherever we went in Italy and frequently applied it on myself and on the Hubby so the strong Italian sun didn’t leave us burnt and crispy.) I highly recommend trying this natural sunscreen out especially if you’re looking for an easy, no-frills, all-over sunscreen lotion. This is also non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, 100% certified natural, cruelty-free, and certified non-GMO. $17.99 for 4 fl oz, The Choosy Chick or Badger.

Ingredients: Active Sunscreen Lotion Ingredient: Uncoated, Non-Nano Zinc Oxide 14%  Inactive Sunscreen Lotion Ingredients: *Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Juice, *Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol (and) Coco-Glucoside, Coco-Glucoside, Sambucus Nigra (Elderberry) Fruit Extract, Microcrystalline Cellulose (and) Cellulose Gum, Glucose (and) Lactoperoxidase (and) Glucose Oxidase, Sorbitan Caprylate, *Glycerin, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Xanthan Gum, Undecylenic Acid, Lecithin, Sodium Gluconate. * = Organic
All ingredients are sustainably sourced from plants, minerals, or are a product of fermentation. Some ingredients may have been processed from corn, soy, or wheat.

Acure Continuous Spray Sun Screen SPF 30: If you’re a lazy sunbather/pool-beach-bum like I am, you know there’s nothing better than using a spray-on sunscreen before laying out in the sun. But a natural or organic spray-on sunscreen? It seemed particularly laughable until Acure Organics came out with what seems to be the first spray-on mineral sunscreen! This hypoallergenic, broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen features non-nano zinc oxide protection and a moisturizing base of aloe and argan oil. I first tried out this sunscreen while on vacation in Mexico last year where I was mostly a beach bum and I used this every single day. For a mineral spray-on sunscreen, it got the job done and kept me from getting burnt or feeling super greasy, either while lying on the beach or exploring ancient ruins.

Acure claims this sunscreen is non-whitening, but I will have to disagree. I’d warn anyone that though convenient for a spray-on mineral sunscreen, this product does leave behind a very noticeable white cast upon application. I also found that it does not rub into the skin very easily and feel a bit drying after multiple applications. I still like using this spray for convenience and think it’s still a welcome alternative in the natural/organic skincare world. Just be aware of the white cast if you are uncomfortable looking a bit more unique than other beach-goers. Seems like Acure has pulled these from their website which is where I purchased from, (maybe they’re reformulating?) but you can still find them at various places online. $12.99 for 6 fl oz, Birchbox.

Ingredients: Zinc Oxide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil (argan), Bentonite, Butylocytyl Salicylate, Caprylhydroxarnic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coco Glucoside, Glycerin, Heptyl Undecylenate, Jojoba Esters, Methyl Dihydroabietate, Water

Have you tried any of these products? What natural/organic sunscreen products are you using?

 

*Indicates products provided for my consideration. This post contains some affiliate links. All words and opinions are my own. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.