Top 5 Sunscreens for the Responsible Outdoor Athlete

When it comes to choosing sunscreen products with fewer chemicals, it’s important to look for options labeled as “mineral” or “physical” sunscreens. These types of sunscreens typically contain active ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which work by physically blocking or reflecting the sun’s rays, as opposed to chemical sunscreens that use chemical compounds to absorb and dissipate UV radiation. Mineral sunscreens are generally considered to have a lower number of chemicals and are often preferred by individuals looking for more natural or chemical-free options.

Here are a few examples of sunscreen brands that offer mineral-based options with fewer chemicals:

Badger

Badger sunscreen is a brand known for its mineral-based sunscreens that use zinc oxide as the active ingredient. They have a range of products, including lotions, creams, and sticks, formulated with simple, natural ingredients. If you have children, this is a very versatile option which is powerful enough for adults but gentle enough on your kiddo’s skin.

Mineral-Based Formula: Badger sunscreens use mineral-based ingredients, primarily zinc oxide, as the active ingredient for sun protection. Zinc oxide works by physically blocking or reflecting the sun’s UV rays from the skin, providing broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection.
Natural and Organic Ingredients: Badger is committed to using natural and organic ingredients in their sunscreens. They prioritize the use of botanical extracts, plant oils, and natural waxes, avoiding synthetic chemicals, fragrances, and artificial additives.
Reef-Friendly and Biodegradable: Badger sunscreens are formulated to be reef-friendly and biodegradable, minimizing their impact on marine ecosystems. They are typically free from ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which can be harmful to coral reefs and aquatic life.
Gentle and Hypoallergenic: Badger sunscreens are formulated to be gentle and suitable for sensitive skin, making it kiddo and adult friendly. They are often free from nasty skin irritants such as parabens, phthalates, artificial fragrances, and dyes. This makes Badger sunscreens a popular choice for individuals with sensitive skin or those seeking more natural options.
Moisturizing and Nourishing: Many Badger sunscreens include moisturizing and nourishing ingredients such as organic oils and plant extracts. These ingredients help keep the skin hydrated and can provide additional benefits, such as antioxidant protection and soothing properties.
Various Formulations and SPF Levels: Badger offers a range of sunscreen formulations, including lotions, creams, sticks, and tinted options. They also provide different SPF levels to cater to different sun protection needs, allowing individuals to choose the level of protection that suits their preferences and activities.

Blue Lizard

Blue Lizard offers mineral-based sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. They are free from oxybenzone, a common chemical found in some sunscreens. Blue Lizard sunscreens are formulated to be gentle and suitable for sensitive skin. Probably the most interesting feature is their “smart bottle” that changes colors with UV radiation.

Mineral-Based: Blue Lizard sunscreens use mineral-based ingredients, specifically zinc oxide, to provide broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection. Zinc oxide works by physically blocking or reflecting the sun’s rays from the skin.
Gentle and Suitable for Sensitive Skin: Blue Lizard offers sunscreens that are formulated to be gentle and suitable for sensitive skin. They are often free from potentially irritating chemicals like oxybenzone, parabens, and fragrances, which may be a concern for individuals with sensitive skin.
‘Smart Bottle’ Technology: While we are not sure what constitutes intelligence for an inanimate objects, we should note Blue Lizard sunscreens come in unique (and pretty cool) bottles that change color when exposed to harmful UV rays, serving as a visual reminder to apply or reapply sunscreen. This feature helps promote sun protection and serves as a helpful tool for sun safety.
Broad Range of Options: Blue Lizard provides a variety of sunscreen options to cater to different needs, including lotions, creams, sticks, and sport formulations. There are too many to list here, but some products are specifically designed for babies, children, or individuals with sensitive skin, while others offer water resistance for extended outdoor activities.
Reef-Friendly: Many Blue Lizard sunscreens are formulated to be reef-friendly, meaning they are free from chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which can have harmful effects on coral reefs and marine life.

Thinkbaby / Thinksport:

Thinkbaby and Thinksport produce mineral-based sunscreens that are free from potentially harmful chemicals like oxybenzone, avobenzone, and parabens. Their products use non-nano zinc oxide as the active ingredient.

Mineral-Based Formula: Thinksport sunscreens use mineral-based ingredients, specifically non-nano zinc oxide, as the active ingredient for sun protection. Zinc oxide forms a physical barrier on the skin, reflecting and scattering UV rays to provide broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection.
Relatively Safe and Non-Toxic: Thinksport prioritizes the safety of their sunscreen products and is committed to using non-toxic ingredients. Their sunscreens are free from potentially harmful chemicals such as oxybenzone, avobenzone, parabens, phthalates, and PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid).
Reef-Friendly: Like Badger and Blue Lizard, Thinksport sunscreen is also reef-friendly, meaning it is formulated without ingredients known to harm coral reefs and marine life. It does not contain oxybenzone or octinoxate, which are common sunscreen chemicals that can be harmful to coral reefs.
Water-Resistant: Thinksport sunscreens are typically water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, making them suitable for water-based activities. This feature ensures the sunscreen maintains its effectiveness even during prolonged water exposure.
Non-Greasy and Quick Absorption: Thinksport sunscreens are formulated to have a non-greasy texture that absorbs quickly into the skin, making it ideal for athletic activity where you will be sweating. This characteristic allows for easy application and a comfortable feel without leaving a heavy or sticky residue (e.g. retaining grip).
Suitable for All Skin Types: Thinksport offers sunscreens suitable for various skin types, including sensitive skin. Their products are often hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested, making them a popular choice for individuals with sensitivities or allergies.
Environmental and Social Responsibility: Thinksport places a huge emphasis on environmental and social responsibility. They prioritize using sustainable and recyclable packaging materials, and they are a member of the 1% for the Planet organization, pledging to donate a portion of their sales to environmental causes.

All Good

All Good is a brand that offers mineral-based sunscreens with non-nano zinc oxide as the active ingredient. Their sunscreens are reef-friendly, cruelty-free, and formulated with organic and natural ingredients.

Mineral-Based Formula: All Good sunscreens use mineral-based ingredients, specifically non-nano zinc oxide, as the active ingredient for sun protection. Zinc oxide forms a physical barrier on the skin, reflecting and scattering UV rays to provide broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection.
Natural and Organic Ingredients: All Good is reportedly committed to using natural and organic ingredients in their sunscreens, but we could not find any differentiation here from the others. According to the packaging, they prioritize using plant-based extracts, oils, and waxes while avoiding synthetic chemicals, fragrances, and artificial additives.
Reef-Friendly/Biodegradable: They are typically (but not always) free from ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which can be harmful to coral reefs and aquatic life.
Moisturizing and Nourishing: Many All Good sunscreens contain more moisturizing and nourishing ingredients such as organic oils, aloe vera, and shea butter when compared to other brands. These ingredients help keep the skin hydrated and can provide additional benefits, such as soothing and antioxidant properties.
Water-Resistant: All Good sunscreens are often water-resistant, making them suitable for water activities. They offer different levels of water resistance, typically up to 80 minutes, ensuring the sunscreen remains effective even during water exposure.
Non-Greasy and Quick Absorption: All Good sunscreens are formulated to have a non-greasy texture that absorbs quickly into the skin. This characteristic allows for easy application and a comfortable feel without leaving a heavy or sticky residue.
Cruelty-Free and Environmentally Conscious: All Good is a cruelty-free brand, and their products are not tested on animals. They are also committed to sustainability, using recycled and recyclable packaging materials whenever possible.

Suntegrity

Suntegrity provides mineral-based sunscreens that use zinc oxide as the active ingredient. They offer a range of options, including tinted sunscreens, and their products are free from harsh chemicals like parabens and phthalates.

Mineral-Based Formula: Suntegrity sunscreens use mineral-based ingredients, specifically non-nano zinc oxide, as the active ingredient for sun protection. Zinc oxide forms a physical barrier on the skin, reflecting and scattering UV rays to provide broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection.
Clean and Non-Toxic: The brand is committed to using clean and non-toxic ingredients in their sunscreen formulations. Specific abstentions include harmful chemicals such as oxybenzone, avobenzone, parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances.
Broad Range of Options: Suntegrity offers a variety of sunscreen “formulas,” including lotions, creams, and tinted sunscreens. They provide different SPF levels and shades to cater to different skin types, preferences, and coverage needs.
Moisturizing and Skin-Nourishing: Most Suntegrity sunscreens contain moisturizing and skin-nourishing ingredients such as organic oils, botanical extracts, and antioxidants. These ingredients help hydrate and nourish the skin while providing sun protection. Be sure to take this into account when combining with other products such as bug spray.
Cruelty-Free and Vegan: Suntegrity is a cruelty-free brand, and their sunscreens are not tested on animals. They also offer vegan options for individuals who prefer products free from animal-derived ingredients.
Reef-Safe and Environmentally Conscious: As most mainstream products these days, they are reef-safe. They often exclude chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate known to have negative impacts on coral reefs. Additionally, Suntegrity aims to use environmentally friendly packaging materials.
Multi-Purpose Products: Suntegrity offers multi-purpose sunscreens that combine sun protection with other skincare benefits, such as moisturization, anti-aging properties, and coverage. This makes their sunscreens convenient for those seeking additional skincare benefits beyond sun protection.

In the end, it really depends on what you are looking for. Any of these options are a key part of the outdoor athlete’s kit. Remember to carefully read the ingredient list and product labels to ensure the sunscreen meets your specific requirements for fewer chemicals, viscosity, durability, etc. Additionally, consider factors like SPF level, broad-spectrum protection, activities (marathon vs. hike through vs. kayaking) and your individual skin type and needs when selecting a sunscreen.