10 Eco-Friendly + Non-Toxic Mineral Sunscreens In The UK

a hand holding a tin of shade mineral sunscreen with the ocean in the background

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The sun is shining which means one thing.

It’s time to slather on your eco-friendly sunscreen and protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

But did you know that many popular sunscreens contain harmful chemicals that harm not only the environment but also our bodies?

Thankfully, there are plenty of eco-friendly sunscreen options that are safe for you and the planet.

In this blog post, we'll dive into what mineral sunscreen is, the toxic effects of traditional sunscreens, and highlight some of the best eco-friendly sunscreen options on the market.

Whether you're a beach bum or simply enjoy spending time outdoors, switching to an eco-friendly sunscreen is a small but impactful step towards a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.

COMING UP

  1. What is the difference between mineral and chemical sunscreen?

  2. Is mineral sunscreen organic?

  3. What are the problems with chemical sunscreen?

  4. Understanding sun protection

    • What is broad-spectrum sunscreen?

    • What is the difference between UVA and UVB?

    • How do you know if sunscreen protects from UVA rays?

    • The problem with Boot’s five-star rating

  5. 10 best eco-friendly mineral sunscreens in the UK


1. mineral and chemical sunscreen - what is the difference?

There are two types of sunscreens, chemical and mineral.

Mineral sunscreens are made from zinc or titanium oxide and sit on top of your skin as a shield. Chemical sunscreens contain organic filters that sink into your skin to absorb UV light.

Are mineral sunscreens reef safe?

Mineral filters, in particular zinc oxide, are considered the most eco-friendly and non-toxic because they don’t bleach coral reefs.

However, research has shown that tiny mineral particles, known as nanoparticles, make sea creatures more likely to be harmed by other contaminants.

For this reason, most eco-friendly brands use “non-nano” mineral filters in their products, but it’s always worth checking.

The only downside is the bigger particles are more likely to leave a white cast on your skin. This is particularly problematic for people of colour so I’ve included a nano option on my list to include everyone.

Read next:


is mineral sunscreen Organic?

If you’re used to shopping for food or products with organically-grown ingredients, you might find it confusing that chemical filters are organic but minerals are not. In this instance, “organic” means a substance with carbon-hydrogen bonds. The minerals titanium and zinc oxide are not carbon-based so they are inorganic.

If a mineral sunscreen packaging says it is an organic product, it means the other ingredients in the products are grown organically (without toxic pesticides).





3. What are the problems with chemical sunscreen?

Most sunscreens you buy in supermarkets and pharmacies are known as “chemical sunscreens.” They contain UV filters that absorb into your skin and block UV rays.

They are popular because they are less likely to leave a residue on your skin, however, there are lots of concerns about these substances.



Here are a few of the downsides to chemical sunscreen:

  1. Because chemical sun cream sinks into your skin, it is much more likely to clog pores and cause acne.

  2. As sunscreen gets washed off in the shower or the sea, it has been found in large quantities in ocean ecosystems. Many UV filters are harmful to fish and corals. There is also some concern over the lack of research on humans, particularly in relation to hormones.

  3. There is also a higher chance of having an allergic reaction to the active ingredients themselves or the other added chemicals included in mainstream brands, like preservatives and fragrances.

  4. In 2021, new research has been published revealing octocrylene breaks down into a carcinogenic, hormone-disrupting substance called Benzophenone. The EU has concluded that it is safe in small amounts and has not banned it. Some brands advertised as “natural” contain octocrylene.

  5. The FDA found that UV chemicals could be detected in the blood weeks after application and removed 14 out of 16 substances from its GRASE list (generally recognised as safe and effective) until more research can prove they are definitely safe. None of the 14 UV chemicals is banned in Europe, even coral-reef-bleaching Oxybenzene, despite some American states banning all of them.




4. Understanding sun protection

What is broad-spectrum sunscreen?

When5sunscreen is broad-spectrum, it means it protects you from both UVA and UVB rays. If sunscreen isn’t broad-spectrum, it won’t protect you from UVA rays. (The eco-friendly sunscreens on my list of eco-friendly sunscreens are all broad-spectrum.)




What is The difference between UVA and UVB?

UVA and UVB rays are different types of ultraviolet (UV) radiation and they both cause harm to your skin.




UVA ray facts:

  • They are low energy waves that pass through clouds and window

  • 95% of ultraviolet radiation hitting the earth is UVA

  • They affect the deeper layers of the skin

  • UVA tans skin quickly




UVA ray issues:

  • These rays penetrate deeper into your skin causing premature ageing, wrinkles, loss of elasticity, dark spots and burns

  • Over time, UVA rays can cause skin cancer.




UVB ray facts:

  • The ozone layer absorbs UVB light so only 5% of the rays that reach your skin are UVB.

  • They cause delayed tanning

  • They damage the outer layers of the skin

  • They cause sunburn

  • UVB rays produce vitamin D in the skin




UVB ray issues:

  • These rays damage the outer layers of skin causing blistering

  • Overexposure can also lead to loss of collagen and hyperpigmentation

  • UVB rays are the main cause of skin cancer






What is SPF?

This stands for “sun protection factor” and is the amount of protection sunscreen gives from UVB rays. SPF does not protect against UVA rays.

If you use the correct amount of SPF30 sunscreen, it will take your skin 30x times longer to burn. It is a guide that needs to be applied on an individual basis because people that burn easily will need a higher factor.






How do you know if sunscreen protects from UVA rays?

There are two UVA guarantees in the UK, the old Boot’s star rating (which isn’t available to all brands) or the European standard which is the letters “UVA” inside a circle. The sunscreen should also be labelled as broad-spectrum.






The problem with Boots 5 star UVA rating

Back in 2011, UK health and beauty chain, Boots, banned low-price competitors from using its widely known UVA star rating system on their sunscreen bottles. This means, that if you want a 5-star UVA-rated product, you can only buy a brand that Boots has permitted to use its trademarked rating.

Currently, no organic, eco-friendly sunscreen brands are able to use the Boots UVA rating, however, they state they are broad-spectrum and use the EU’s UVA seal instead.







10 best eco-friendly mineral sunscreens in the UK



1. UPCIRCLE

upcircle mineral sunscreen

Broad-spectrum: Yes

SPF: 25

Packaging: A glass jar with metal lid - refillable

Manufactured: Made in the UK

Certifications: Cruelty-free (leaping bunny)

Vegan: Yes

Microplastics: None

UV Ingredients: Zinc Oxide (non-nano)

Reviews: A relatively new product, but reviews are good saying it smells nice, is silky smooth and only leaves a white residue while it is absorbing. It is advertised as for all skin tones and includes a photo of a Black woman holding it, but as there are no reviews online by Black women I can’t confirm this.

Products:

Get 5% off with my affiliate code ANDKEEP5

2. SHADE

Broad-Spectrum: Yes

SPF: 25

Packaging: Metal tin

Manufactured: Made in the UK

Certifications: Organic

Vegan: No - contains beeswax

Microplastics: None - minimal ingredients

UV Ingredients: Zinc Oxide (non-nano)

Reviews: Shade is thick and needs a bit of extra rubbing in but I am happy with it on myself and my kids. I am prone to dry, sensitive skin and have had no issues. I like the tin which lasts ages and can then be reused or recycled. Unfortunately, they only offer SPF25.

Products:

Shade All-Natural Sunscreen (SPF25)

  • 15ml for £3.75

  • 100ml for £9.75

Use my affiliate code LAZY15 to get 15% off Shade.

3. SUKIN

Broad-spectrum: Yes

SPF: 30

Packaging: Plastic

Manufactured: Made in Australia (Sukin are a carbon-neutral Australian company)

Certifications: Cruelty-free

Vegan: 100% vegan brand

Microplastics: None (scanned with BTMB app)

UV Ingredients: Zinc Oxide (contains nanoparticles)

Reviews: I haven’t tried this but reviews are really good. Sukin offers untinted and tinted options for the face. The main criticism is the smell, however, I do prefer products that don’t use synthetic fragrances. I usually wouldn’t recommend a brand with nanoparticles but I’ve included Sukin on my list to ensure there is a natural option for people of colour in the UK that has SPF30.

Products:

4. ODYLIQUE

Broad-spectrum: Yes

SPF: 30

Packaging: Recyclable plastic tube (50ml) or glass pot (100ml)

Manufactured: Handmade in a workshop in Sussex using renewable energy.

Certifications: Organic, Fairtrade, Cruelty-free

Vegan: Yes

Microplastics: None (checked using BTMB app)

UV Ingredients: Zinc Oxide

Free from: chemical UV filters, animal ingredients, preservatives, silicones, fragrance, colour and common allergens

Reviews: This is my favourite sunscreen. It’s a bit hard to squeeze out of the plastic tube, but I’ve just bought the glass tub so don’t have that issue now. It’s got a yellow colour to the cream (I believe this is the sea buckthorn oil) and rubs in well to my white skin without leaving me looking like a ghost!

Products:

Organic mineral sunscreen SP30

  • 50ml for £15 (plastic tube)

  • £25 for 100ml for £25 (glass pot)

Use my affiliate code LAZY20 for 20% off your order.


5. ORGANII

Broad-spectrum: Yes

SPF: 50 or 15

Packaging: Plastic tube

Manufactured: Italy

Certifications: COSMOS organic, cruelty-free

Vegan: Yes

Microplastics: none

UV Ingredients: zinc oxide + titanium dioxide (non nano)

Reviews: This is suitable for sensitive skin and can be used on children and babies. From reviews, it appears to be more “runny” than some mineral sunscreens and most people say it isn’t greasy.

Products:

6. SUNTRIBE

Broad-spectrum: Yes

SPF: 30

Packaging: Bio-based sugar cane tube or metal tin

Manufactured: Made in Sweden, shipped to a single location in the UK (and some other EU countries) to minimise transport emissions.

Certifications: COSMOS organic, cruelty-free

Vegan: no - contains organic beeswax

Microplastics: none

UV Ingredients: non-nano zinc oxide

Reviews: I haven’t tested this brand. Online reviews are mostly positive - the negative ones seem to focus on the price. It has minimal ingredients and is completely mineral-based, like Shade, so will be thick. Let me know in the comments if you have tried this one.

Products:

7. AMAZINC

(Contains almond oil)

Broad-spectrum: Yes

SPF: 30 or 50

Packaging: aluminium bottle or tin

Manufactured: Czech Republic

Certifications: none, but is cruelty-free

Vegan: Yes + no (the stick contains beeswax)

Microplastics: None

UV Ingredients: Zinc Oxide (non nano)

Reviews: There are minimal reviews on Amazinc products. The lotion is runny and can be poured into your hand from the bottle. It makes your skin a little paler (as expected with mineral sunscreens) but rubs in well and isn’t greasy. Reviews also say it is good for sensitive skin and it’s advertised as suitable for children. The butter is a pink colour to help prevent a white cast. Unfortunately, I can’t test this one because my partner has a nut allergy and it contains almond oil.

Products:

Get 5% off with code: ​ROLLONSUMMER5 (expires 30/6/22)

8. BADGER

Broad-spectrum: Yes

SPF: 30

Packaging: Plastic tubes.

Manufactured: Made in the USA

Certifications: Certified cruelty-free international (leaping bunny), certified organic

Vegan: No, contains beeswax. Suitable for vegetarians.

Microplastics: None

UV Ingredients: Zinc Oxide (non-nano)

Reviews: Badger is a very popular brand in the USA and is stocked at Big Green Smile in the UK. It is paediatrician approved and gentle on children’s skin but does leave a white cast. Reviews say it is rich and a bit greasy, so more suited to dry skin than oily, but effective at protecting your skin. It is a popular choice for children in the USA due to its organic ingredients.

Products:

Please note - Big Green Smile’s warehouse is in Belgium


9. EVOLVE

Broad-spectrum: Yes

SPF: 20

Packaging: glass bottle with a recycled plastic push down pump and lid

Manufactured: Handmade in the UK

Certifications: Cruelty-free (leaping bunny certified), vegan, organic

Vegan: 100% vegan brand

Microplastics: None (scanned with BTMB app)

UV Ingredients: Zinc Oxide (non-nano)

Reviews: a tinted facial SPF with light coverage; it leaves a dewy glow on the skin. It is harder to spread out than a tinted moisturiser but easy to apply. Several reviews say they prefer to add a powder on top. People that don’t wear makeup were the happiest with this product, and the majority of negative reviews were from people who bought the wrong shade. As of 2021, there are 4 shades to choose from.

Products:

Climate Veil tinted facial SPF


10. BALMY FOX

Broad-spectrum: Yes

SPF: 25

Packaging: Metal tins

Manufactured: Handmade in Wales

Certifications: cruelty-free without certification

Vegan: Yes

Microplastics: None

UV Ingredients: Zinc Oxide (Non-nano)

Reviews: Balmy Fox is a small business in Wales that create skincare and sunscreen for people who take part in sports and outdoor activities.

Products:

Which eco-friendly mineral sunscreens have you tried and loved (or hated)?

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