For some of us, summer is just around the corner, or maybe you already live in a place where every day is summer! In that case, you’ll need to invest in a high-quality sunscreen that’s not only eco-friendly but vegan too.
Often, commercial sunscreen brands contain chemicals or substances that aren’t that great for our skin nor our environment. Since we are huge advocates for the cruelty-free movement – we want to ensure that none of the products we recommend are tested on animals or harm them in any way.
Without further ado, here are some of our favorite cruelty-free and vegan sunscreens for better skin!
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Top 9 Vegan Sunscreen Products
#1 Sun Bum Vegan Sunscreen Spray For an Easier Application
One thing that always deters me from some sunscreen brands is that many of them leave a greasy feeling on my skin. This is why the 70 SPF Sun Bum sunscreen is such a great alternative – it’s easy to apply and isn’t as greasy as other brands!
It also comes in a spray bottle, which is handy for when on the go. If you’re planning to swim a lot this year, you’ll be glad to know that the Sun Bum sunscreen is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, and it’s coral reef friendly.
Other great perks about this spray are that it’s 100% vegan, gluten-free, skin-friendly, hypoallergenic, and paraben-free!
I don’t know about you, but this ticks all the boxes for me.
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#2 Bare Republic Mineral SPF 30 Body Sunscreen Lotion
The 30 SPF Bare Republic Mineral SPF soaks into your skin a second after you apply it. Plus, for those of you who like a little sparkle in your life, the Bare Republic SPF also includes a Rose Gold shimmer – for a sustainable radiance!
The sunscreen itself is both biodegradable and reef-friendly and contains no unnecessary chemical additives or synthetic fragrances.
However, it does contain beeswax that isn’t utterly vegan unless it’s classified as “vegan beeswax,” which means it’s actually a plant-driven formula meant to resemble beeswax properties. Other than that, this product is cruelty-free and overall much better for your skin!
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#3 Green People Natural and Organic Sunscreen
The SPF 30 Green People sunblock is an excellent alternative for those who suffer from skin conditions like eczema due to its gentle formula.
The sunblock is also water-repellant and doesn’t clog your pores either. You won’t have to worry about burning either, since the sunscreen offers broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection, and it even features an easy-to-apply formula – for added convenience.
All of the ingredients in the SPF, such as Aloe Vera and Green Tea, are organic and full of antioxidants. Plus, the packaging itself is plant-based and fully recyclable!
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#4 Alba Botanica Fragrance Free Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
For outdoor sports lovers, check out the SPF 30 Alba Botanica Sunscreen.
This brand is designed to be sweat and water-resistant, and it’s totally fragrance-free. Additionally, Alba SPF contains soothing ingredients such as Aloe Vera and Green Tea, which are beneficial for our skin health.
Lastly, it contains no unnecessary chemicals, and the packaging is biodegradable.
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#5 Juice Beauty Moisturizing Mineral Sunscreen
Juice Beauty Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen is a great addition to any skincare routine. It’s an effective mineral-based SPF that is very lightweight and moisturizing.
The sunblock includes plenty of beneficial ingredients and vitamins that support our skin health, including Aloe Vera, Pomegranate, Sea Algae, and vitamins C, E, and B5. All of these combined helps to not only improve our skin but provide it with essential nutrients during the hotter months.
Additionally, this sunscreen is all-natural and does not contain any harmful chemicals such as parabens, artificial dyes, or fragrances, nor is it tested on animals, either.
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#6 Goddess Garden Sport SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen
Another effective Sport’s mineral sunscreen is the Goddess Garden SPF 50 sunblock.
It’s fragrance-free and suitable for more sensitive skin types. Additionally, it’s coral reef safe, and it contains nourishing ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil that will keep your skin hydrated.
Lastly, the brand markets itself as cruelty-free, and it uses ingredients and materials that aren’t damaging to our environment.
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#7 Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen
Our second Alba Botanica sunscreen is also super water-resistant (up to 80 minutes) and coral reef-friendly.
The 30 SPF sunblock is non-greasy and is gentle enough to be used for daily wear. On top of that, the sunscreen includes many beneficial ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Sunflower Oil, Papaya, and Mango. Plus it’s free from any harsh sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrances, and colors.
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#8 Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
The Babo Botanicals Zinc sunscreen is gentle enough to be used on babies’ skin.
This zinc-based sunblock will go on clear onto your skin, with no white residue, and it’s super lightweight and water-resistant. People suffering from acne also like this product, and it’s even suitable for other sensitive skin types.
Some of the nourishing ingredients include Avocado, Jojoba, Sunflower Oil, and Organic Watercress.
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Why Does Cruelty-Free Sunscreen Matter?
Let’s talk about why vegan, cruelty-free sunscreen is important:
Coral Reefs:
For those of us who love swimming and scuba diving during the summer months may already be aware of how most store brands of sunscreen hurt coral reefs. It’s even estimated that around 14,000 tons of sunblock harm our reefs every year!
Switching to less harmful, vegan sunblock can help us combat this problem.
Chemicals:
Using products with fewer chemicals and more natural ingredients is not only more beneficial for our skin but they are also more gentle on sensitive or acne-prone skin types. Plus, plenty of natural sunscreens are hypoallergenic.
Environment:
Vegan sunscreens are very careful about picking ingredients that cause no harm to the animals and our environment. Since generally a lot of traditional sunblocks are either tested on animals or contain animal products that support the mass animal agriculture industry.
Avoid These Non-Vegan Ingredients
Often, it’s difficult to know if a product is vegan or vegetarian-friendly unless directly stated on the packaging. Nevertheless, it’s always a good idea to double-check to make sure it doesn’t use harmful chemicals such as:
- Lanolin – Fat harvested from sheep’s wool
- Stearic Acid – Animal-based fat
- Collagen – Protein found in animal’s connective tissue
- Chitin or polysaccharide – Commonly found in exoskeletons of crustaceans or insects.
- Elastin – A type of protein found in animal organs
- Beeswax – Sometimes contains industrial insecticides, which can be harmful to coral reefs.
What did you think about our top 9 vegan sunscreen picks? Do you have a favorite brand to recommend? Let us know what you think in the comments below, and thanks for reading!
For more zero-waste alternatives for those scorching summer days—check out the best eco-friendly and recycled flip-flops!
Anna Miller is a content manager at TrashBackwards. She’s passionate about living a zero-waste lifestyle. Anna has been writing about eco-friendly tips for years now, and she’s got some great ideas on how you can go plastic-free! She loves sharing her knowledge about eco-lifestyle with others. Her articles are always witty and insightful! Shoot her a message if you’ve got any questions about how you can start going green.
