Cleanest Sunscreen Brands + My SPF 50 Sunscreen Recipe
Anyone who knew me back in high school and college knows I used to burn almost instantly in the sun. That was before I started paying attention to what I ate or what I put on my skin, and back then I worked as a lifeguard carrying two or three different spray-on chemical sunscreens in my bag. I may not have burned much, but I was carrying a serious toxin load to get there.
These days I do things differently, and I want to share both sides of it with you: the cleanest store-bought sunscreens I have found, and how to make your own for a few dollars. Because here is the thing about the "clean" sunscreens on the market, they are expensive for no good reason. The ingredients are cheap. What you are really paying for is packaging and scent, and honestly unscented is better anyway, since even natural fragrances can be hormone disruptive.
If you take nothing else from this article, please at least avoid the aerosolized chemical sunscreens. They blast volatile compounds, including benzene, into the air you breathe. If you are switching away from those anyway, you might as well pick something that supports your health instead of working against it.
Key Takeaways
- Chemical UV filters like oxybenzone and avobenzone can absorb into skin and harm coral reefs. Mineral sunscreens use non-nano zinc that sits on the surface instead.
- I avoid titanium dioxide and water-based formulas (which need preservatives) in favor of simple non-nano zinc in a nourishing oil base.
- My cleanest brand picks are Sky & Sol and Primally Pure, each with a caveat worth reading.
- You can make a simple zinc sunscreen at home in about five minutes for a few dollars, enough for the whole family for a summer.
- Honest caveat: the true SPF of any homemade sunscreen cannot be verified without lab testing. Use a tested product plus shade and cover-up for intense sun, fair skin, or children.
Chemical vs Physical Sunscreens
When you go to buy sunscreen, there are basically two types to choose from, plus some that use both methods to block UV rays.
Chemical sunscreens use compounds like avobenzone and oxybenzone that block the sun but can absorb into your skin. These are sketchy at best, and they are known to harm coral reefs, which is why they are banned at certain beaches where sea life is more vulnerable. If they damage marine life enough to be banned, it is worth thinking about what they do when applied to your skin.
Physical sunscreens use minerals like zinc to block the sun. As long as the zinc is "non-nano," meaning the particles are relatively large, it will not absorb into your skin. Zinc is actually a mineral your body uses, and it supports processes like immunity and skin health, so applying it topically should not have ill effects.
Some brands combine both methods, so always read the ingredients even if the front of the bottle mentions zinc. The active sunscreen ingredients are usually listed under the "active ingredients" part of the label.
Why I Avoid Titanium Dioxide
Titanium dioxide is added to a huge share of cosmetics, probably close to 99% of makeup made for the US market. Most foundations, concealers, and even lip products include it to add a little SPF. Personally, I do not think it is safe to use on skin. Here is why I avoid it.
- Tiny particles make free radicals in sunshine. The nano-sized form used to keep sunscreens clear acts like a photocatalyst, producing reactive oxygen species that can injure skin cells and slow wound healing.
- Regulators cannot rule out DNA damage. A 2024 EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety opinion notes that many cosmetic grades are more than 50% nanoparticles and says it "cannot exclude" genotoxic effects, so it set no safe level.
- Particles can lodge deep in hair follicles. Lab work shows these particles can slip into follicles and sweat ducts, and if the skin barrier is broken, some reach living tissue and are hard to wash out.
- Breathing the dust is a cancer concern. Applied as a spray, airborne titanium dioxide can reach the lungs, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies inhaled titanium dioxide as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2B).
- It is already banned as a food color in the EU. Europe removed it (E171) from foods in 2022 because long-term genotoxicity could not be dismissed, which tells you regulators are uneasy about chronic exposure.
The Cleanest Sunscreen Brands I Recommend
If you would rather buy than make, these are the ones I rate highest, along with the honest drawbacks of each.
Sky & Sol, 9/10
Active: Non-nano 25% zinc oxide. Inactive: water, grass-fed/finished tallow, jojoba oil, jojoba ester, lecithin, beeswax, silica, vitamin E (from olives), radish root ferment filtrate.
This rates the best of the commercially available ones. My only hesitation is the price, which is hard to justify when it is so easy to make your own. One thing worth flagging in the interest of full disclosure: there are reports that it tests high in heavy metals, reportedly high enough that it is not legal to sell in Washington state. These likely come from the zinc oxide itself. Whether those metals absorb through the skin, I honestly do not know, but I wanted to mention what I found. Shop Sky & Sol.
Primally Pure Sun Cream SPF 30, 8/10
Active: Zinc oxide (25%). Inactive: caprylic/capric triglyceride, organic tallow, organic beeswax, organic coconut oil, organic mango butter, tocopherol.
One of the best I have found that still feels like a normal sunscreen. It applies smoothly and has a neutral (non-beefy) smell. They make a scented version too, but I avoid essential oils since many are estrogenic. It does contain tocopherol as a preservative, but in the smallest amount, so probably not a big deal. Shop Primally Pure.
Mad Hippie Ultra-Sheer Body SPF 40+, 5/10
Active: Zinc oxide (non-nano) 20.5%. I included this because I used to use it and it works well as a sunblock, but it has room for improvement. The safflower and sunflower oils are pro-inflammatory and oxidize quickly. The citric acid is typically made from black mold rather than citrus (as it is in most products). And several preservatives and drying alcohols can disrupt your skin's microbiome, which I think leaves skin more prone to breakouts. Shop Mad Hippie.
A note on heavy metals in zinc: zinc oxide can carry trace heavy metal contamination depending on its source, which is worth knowing whether you buy or make your own. I have written more about why contamination seems to be everywhere lately in my article on geoengineering.
A Word on Water-Based Formulas
The ideal sunscreen, in my opinion, contains no water-based ingredients like aloe. Any skincare formula with water needs a preservative to keep it from growing mold, and many preservatives are unsafe to apply to skin (parabens, for example) and can kill off your skin's microbiome, the bacteria and yeasts that keep it in balance. Disrupt those and you can end up more prone to acne or fungal overgrowth, similar to what some people experience after a round of antibiotics.
If you have dry skin, you can still hydrate. Just apply your water-based step after washing and before any oil-based product. I spray my face with rosewater after washing, then layer oil over top to lock it in. Rosewater needs no preservative, it is anti-inflammatory, and it smells amazing. I get mine from Mountain Rose Herbs (affiliate).
My DIY Mineral Sunscreen Recipe
This recipe is wonderfully adaptable. You can use whatever carrier oil you like, though note that oils that are liquid at room temperature may need a shake before each use. I have made it with coconut oil, with grass-fed tallow, with jojoba, and with a shea, coconut, and jojoba blend. It takes about five minutes and a batch is usually more than enough for a family for the summer.
Please read this before you rely on homemade sunscreen
I want to be straight with you. There is no way to know the true SPF of a homemade sunscreen without sending it to a lab, which is exactly why I do not sell mine. The amount of zinc matters, but real protection also depends on how evenly the zinc is dispersed and how thickly and evenly you apply it, and those things vary from batch to batch and person to person. So treat this as lighter, less predictable protection than a tested store-bought mineral sunscreen. For long or intense sun, for very fair skin, and especially for babies and children, use a lab-tested mineral sunscreen (like the ones above) as your main protection, and lean on shade, timing, a hat, and a sunshirt. Reapply often. This is a lovely low-tox option for everyday, incidental sun, not a substitute for tested protection when the stakes are higher.
Ingredients (by weight, makes about 475 g)
- Carrier oil of choice (coconut oil, grass-fed/finished tallow, or a blend) – 340 g
- Non-nano zinc oxide – 135 g (about 28% of the total weight; more zinc generally means more coverage, but see the note above on why this is not a guaranteed SPF number). I use Sky Organics (affiliate link).
For a richer skin feel, my favorite version uses coconut oil (150 g), shea butter (100 g), jojoba oil (70 g), and rosehip seed oil (20 g) in place of the single carrier, plus the same 135 g of zinc.
Instructions
- 1 Melt the base. In a double boiler, gently melt your oil or butters. If your oil is already liquid at room temperature, skip this. Avoid overheating. A microwave works too, but only in 10-second bursts, since some oils oxidize with too much heat.
- 2 Add the zinc. Wearing a mask or working in a well-ventilated space, slowly stir or whisk in the zinc oxide until fully incorporated and smooth. Take care not to breathe in the dust, as it can irritate your lungs.
- 3 Jar it. Pour into non-plastic jars or tins and let it cool completely before sealing.
Use and storage: Store in a cool, dark place. Like all mineral formulas, it will likely leave a white cast. Reapply every one to two hours in the sun and after swimming or sweating. It is not waterproof, though depending on your oil it may be somewhat water resistant. Shelf life is about six months.
Variations to Try
- Infuse your oil with herbs like rose petals or rosemary beforehand for a light natural scent.
- Add a little beeswax for a firmer texture.
- Add a little cocoa powder to tint it and cut down the white cast.
- Add a few drops of vitamin E oil for a longer shelf life.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much SPF does homemade sunscreen actually have?
There is no honest way to put a number on it without lab testing. The zinc content, the evenness of the mix, and how thickly you apply it all change the real protection. Treat a homemade zinc balm as light, unpredictable coverage for everyday sun, and reach for a tested product plus shade and cover-up when you will be out for a long time, when your skin is very fair, or for children.
Does removing seed oils help prevent sunburn?
In my experience, yes. I used to burn almost instantly when I ate seed oils daily. After removing them for several years and following a more anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle, I do not burn unless I am out in peak UV for more than about three hours. When I need to be out longer, for a beach day or a big gardening project, I either cover up with a sunshirt or use homemade sunscreen. Family members who do not eat the way I do use it too, and it helps them avoid burning. This is my own observation, not a guarantee, and everyone's skin is different.
Will you ever sell sunscreen in your shop?
Probably not. Selling a sunscreen means real liability and a lot of red tape around testing to confirm the SPF rating, plus insurance to cover myself. Between the cost of proper testing and the liability, it is more hassle than I want to take on, which is part of why I would rather teach you to make your own.
Why non-nano zinc specifically?
Because the particles are large enough to sit on top of your skin and reflect UV rather than absorbing in. Nano-sized particles are small enough to potentially pass into the skin, which is what I am trying to avoid. Look for "non-nano" on the label of any zinc you buy.
The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for the advice of a healthcare professional and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. Homemade sun protection is inherently variable, so please use good judgment about sun exposure and consult a professional with any concerns.
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