Sunscreen is one of the most popular beauty and wellness products that protect you from harmful UV rays of sunlight, and not just in summer. The quality of a sunscreen lotion is an important factor to keep the skin healthy and free from any adverse side effects, as the skin is the largest organ in the body. The use of low waste and plastic-free sunscreen will not only help your well-being but also go a long way in protecting the environment by avoiding plastic waste. Sunscreens are essentially made with formulations that suit the requirements of UV protection, sweat, and weather resistance. However, some of the components used in sunscreen are found to be problematic for the environment in the long run. Every year, a large quantity of sunscreen products is washed off into the oceans, and water bodies cause damage to marine species like coral reefs and creatures. The environmental concerns have encouraged manufacturers to come up with new formulations that are found to be safe and effective in reducing the harmful effects of plastics and toxic chemicals on the environment.
The main toxic chemicals are:
In 2021 Hawaii has banned these two ingredients, and in Australia most brands have stopped using them due to the findings that have unveiled their toxicity. By regulation, all Australian sunscreens have to list the active ingredients on the packaging, so it is easy for you to check which chemicals they use. If you see either of these ingredients, put it back on the shelf!
Other potentially harmful ingredients are:
These have yet to be studied extensively like oxybenzone but are best avoided.
Another thing to consider is the base formula that sunscreens are made with. Legally sunscreen brands don’t have to disclose this ingredient list, so even if the active ingredient is zinc oxide, the base can be made of undesirable ingredients. Many sunscreens are made with synthetic oils such as mineral oil (which sounds nice but is actually made from fossil fuels!). They are often very high in preservatives, fragrances, stabilizers, and emulsifying agents.
“Reef Safe” is used to refer to a chemical formula that will not have any negative effects on the coral reef ecosystem. Formulas that are labeled as Reef Safe should not include known toxic chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate that can disrupt the fragile balance of water chemistry or be consumed by ocean organisms to cause harm.
Unfortunately, terms like “reef safe”, “reef conscious”, “reef-friendly” or “ocean-friendly” are not regulated, and there is no internationally accepted definition of Reef Safe, making it hard to define. There is no standardized test method or internationally recognized certification process for this terminology, which again makes it difficult to regulate the products on the market. Recently, a class action lawsuit was filed against Target Corp. claiming that Target falsely advertises that its “up & up” brand sunscreen has a “reef-conscious formula,” when, in reality, it contains ingredients that are harmful to corals.
In this article, we will help you navigate this topic and discuss how to best choose a reef-safe sunscreen brand. Considering the grey surrounding this topic, our best advice is to thoroughly research brands you are interested in, read their ingredients list, and contact them directly if you can’t find the information you’re looking for.
It was estimated in 2018 that 14,000 tons of sunscreen enter our oceans every year, and this is ever-increasing as people flock to coastal areas for holidays or a new lifestyle. Why is this bad? Because typical chemicals used in sunscreen have been shown to cause ocean toxicity in highly visited swimming areas, contributing to coral die-off. Studies prior to 2018 in Hawaii showed record amounts of oxybenzone & octinoxote in their water samples and a direct correlation with the declining health of the tropical reef. These studies led to the Hawaiian government banning all sunscreens that use these chemicals in 2018.
Now we have a cumulative effect where the chemicals in sunscreen are being measured in ever higher levels in our oceans. If we don’t stop using toxic sunscreens, we will likely see an accelerated decline in the health of these beautiful ecosystems.
The sun protection market worldwide generated a revenue of USD 11.52 bn in 2023, and traditional chemical sunscreens are designed in liquid form and packaged in plastic bottles. Can you imagine how many plastic bottles are discarded each year? For these reasons, it’s important to opt for zero waste sunscreen packaging when possible.
The best sustainable sunscreen or sunblock is the one that shields your skin from sunlight and also protects the environment from plastic waste. There are many eco-friendly sunscreen brands available that best suit your purpose of sun protection and anti-aging during summer days. Here is a list of the top seven plastic-free sunscreen brands for your reference.
This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. This helps us continue the hard work we put into researching products and solutions.
Raw Elements developed the Ocean Ramsey Stick in partnership with marine biologist and conservationist Ocean Ramsey, featuring a coral reef safe formula with 25% non-nano zinc oxide for ultimate sun protection. It offers a broad spectrum protection and 80 minutes of water resistance for your water-based activities.
The Raw Elements Ocean Ramsey World Reef Day comes in a compostable cardboard tube. Plus, 10% of proceeds support Save the Turtles International and One Ocean Conservation.
The same brand also offers a natural sunscreen for babies & kids, as well as a face and body all-natural mineral sunscreen.
Ingredients: Active ingredients: 25% Non-Nano Zinc Oxide Inactive Ingredients: Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Sera Flava, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Organic Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Tocopherol.
Vegan: Yes
Made in the USA
Shop Raw Elements World Reef Day on Amazon USA
Shop Raw Elements baby sunscreen on Amazon USA – Canada
Related: 7 Best Plastic Free Face Wash Brands to Supercharge Your Skincare
SurfDurt is a reef safe sunscreen made with 11 food-grade ingredients and made with non-nano zinc oxide. They replaced harmful toxins for a natural sunscreen that protects your skin and keeps marine and aquatic life safe, while being resistant in the water for 80 minutes.
For packaging, they use a bamboo reusable container lined with an aluminum interior lining, which is perfect to use for future DIY zero waste beauty products.
Ingredients: Non-Nano Zinc Oxide, Cocoa Butter*, Coconut Oil*, Jojoba Oil*, Avocado Oil, Beeswax, Beeswax Derivative, Mango Butter, Vitamin E, Iron Oxide Pigment
*All Ingredients Certified Organic.
Vegan: No
Made in California, USA.
Shop on Amazon USA
Related: 10 Best Plastic Free Perfumes for a Natural, Non-Toxic Scent!
ZERO (the brand name says it all!) has created a zero waste sunscreen that is safe for the oceans, fully plastic-free, and affordable! With non-nano zinc oxide as its only active ingredient, this sunscreen provides UVA-UVB true broad spectrum protection. It offers also a great value for money as it’s a full 1.5 oz cardboard tube – not a small chapstick size! It contains NO benzene, alcohol, or parabens.
We love that you can toss it back to Earth when you run out, so it’s truly ZERO Waste Packaging!
Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Non-Nano Zinc Oxide, Beeswax, Vitamin E
Vegan: No
Made in the USA.
Shop on Amazon USA
Related: Plastic Free Deodorant: 15 Zero Waste Options
This branded eco-friendly sunscreen product is made up of non-toxic, water-resistant components like beeswax which is quite suitable for swimmers. It is a zero-waste, plastic-free sunscreen that contains natural ingredients while still offering UVA and UVB protection. It is free of all toxic chemicals, parabens, PABA, preservatives or synthetic fragrances. The packaging is done in environment-friendly aluminium containers.
Ingredients: Non Nano Zinc Oxide, Coconut Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Jojoba Oil, Sesame Oil, Beeswax, Shea Butter, Eucalyptus oil, Lavender Oil, Peppermint Oil, Vitamin E Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Carrot Seed Extract.
Vegan: No
Made in Hawaii, USA, with love in and aloha.
Shop on Amazon USA –
Related: 7 Best Plastic Free Eye Creams
This brand of sunscreen protects your skin from UV rays and also helps protect the environment with its ocean-safe mineral formulation that doesn’t produce any waste, as it’s packaged in a metal tin, that is recyclable. The product is popular for its scented version which is made with tea tree oils.
Ingredients: Coconut Oil*, Zinc Oxide**, Sunflower Oil*, Almond Oil*, Beeswax*, Shea Butter*.
*USDA Certified Organic. **Non-Nano, Non-Micro & Uncoated
Vegan: No
Made in the USA
Shop Be You Organics on Etsy
Related: 7 Plastic Free Essential Oils for Your Home
Herbal Chest is a popular brand famous for its herbal products. They have created a moisturizer with an estimated SPF 20 factor which is ideal for dry and sensitive skin. Please note: they use SPF based ingredients, though the combined SPF has not been tested by any regulatory organization. It contains organic vegetable ingredients that include shea butter, raspberry seed, and sunflower oil among others. It also contains zinc oxide in non-nano size as a key component for skin protection. If you’re looking for a daily moisturizer with SPF that is also plastic free, this is your best find!
Ingredients: Shea Butter, Green Tea, Red Raspberry Oil, Olive Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Non Nano Zinc Oxidize, Candelilla Wax
Vegan: Yes
Made in the USA
Shop Herbal Chest on Etsy
Related: Plastic Free Shaving Creams: 8 Zero Waste Options
This brand has focused on chemical-free formulations of body and face sunscreen that are safe for users, especially children. Its sunscreen products are made of natural ingredients like jojoba oil and kokum butter. It also contains minerals in the form of zinc oxide that has good UV protection capability but doesn’t get absorbed into your skin due to its greater particle size (more than 300 nanometers). It is available in aluminium packaging which is reusable and prevents plastic pollution.
Ingredients: Active ingredient: 23% Non-Nano Zinc Oxide. Inactive: Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Kokum Butter, Local Beeswax, Vitamin E Oil, and Frankincense Essential Oil.
Vegan: No
Made in the USA
Related: 12 Plastic Free Shampoo Brands You Can Feel Good About Using
It is one of Australia’s leading plastoc free suncare brands and is renowned for making some of the world’s safest sunscreen products. It regulates the ingredients of beauty products in the same way as medicines and achieved approval from Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
Active Ingredients: Non Nano Zinc Oxide 227.5mg/g
Inactive Ingredients: Medium chain triglyceride (from coconut oil), Castor Oil, Coconut Oil, Candelilla wax, Hydrogenated castor oil, Isostearic acid (plant based binder), Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate (vegetable based emulsifier), d-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (Vitamin E).
Vegan: Yes
Made in Australia
Shop Sunbutter from Biome Australia
Shop Sunbutter on Etsy
Related: 9 Best Toothpaste Without Plastic and BPA
Winki Zinc has developed a nourishing, high-quality tinted zinc with SPF 30 and made with only natural ingredients since 2018. All SPF-rated products are formally tested by a third-party SPF testing laboratory and comply with Australian Sunscreen Standard AS/NZS 2604:2021. Their color range has been refined over three years to blend naturally with all skin tones from very light, to very dark. Lip Zinc shades to either blend neutrally or add a pop of color to the lips & cheeks. All products are offered in plastic free packaging: either a handy compostable paperboard tube or an infinitely recyclable aluminum tin.
Ingredients: Ecocert Zinc Oxide (30%)^, Avocado Oil^, Beeswax, Fractionated Coconut Oil, Cacao Butter*, Mango Butter*, Natural Vitamin E, Jojoba Esters and Iron Oxides
*Certified Organic ^Australian sourced
Vegan: No
Made in Australia
Shop Winki Zinc from Etsy
Related: Easy DIY Zero Waste Beauty Recipes
Palm & Pine is an ocean-friendly, cruelty-free, vegan sunscreen in plastic-free packaging. It’s formulated with plant-based natural ingredients and mineral filters for premium, daily UV broad-spectrum protection. It offers broad-spectrum UVA/UVB, with no white cast, and no stinging eyes. It’s fragrance-free and available in SPF 30, or SPF 50.
The product packaging is made from 100% recycled black aluminum, so it’s a plastic alternative sunscreen.
Ingredients SPF 30: Aqua (Water), Zinc Oxide, Isoamyl Laurate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Titanium Dioxide, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Triheptanoin, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Chloride, Benzyl Alcohol, Alumina, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Jojoba Esters, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Glyceryl Laurate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tilia Cordata Flower Extract, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate.
Ingredients SPF 50: Persea Gratissima Oil, Zinc Oxide, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil,
Titanium Dioxide, Isoamyl Laurate, Alumina, Jojoba Esters, Helianthus
Annuus Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Lecithin, Ascorbyl Palmitate,
Tocopherol, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, CI 77492 (Iron Oxides), CI
77491 (Iron Oxides), CI 77499 (Iron Oxides).
Vegan: Yes
Made in: Cyprus and soon also in the UK
Shop from Palm & Pine.
Input code IMPLASTICFREE15 for a 15% discount at checkout.
As skin cancer rates are rising, particularly in Australia, one of the countries with the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, we cannot reiterate the importance of limiting your time in the sun, having a proper skin barrier with a daily SPF, and most importantly covering yourself in the sun as much as possible with high quality UPF 50+ UV protecting clothing and / or long sleeve swimwear.
Related: What is Plastic Doing in My Shampoo?
Choosing a zinc based sunscreen will keep you well clear of the harmful consequences of typical chemical sunscreens. Zinc is known as a physical sunscreen, which forms a layer on top of the skin and usually comes in thicker formulas that don’t wash off into the water as easily. It is a naturally occurring mineral that provides a physical barrier on the skin, essentially shading you from the sun.
Zinc has many other good qualities, it can help to heal acne and scarring, it can soothe inflamed skin, and it helps to regulate oil production.
There are many types of zinc-based sunscreens available. A good brand will clearly list all its ingredients on the packaging, (active AND base ingredients) so that’s the first thing to look out for. Zinc should be the only active ingredient.
There has been some confusion regarding the size of zinc particles commonly used in sunscreens. Zinc is typically known for the white pasty cast it leaves on the skin. Engineers & formulators have learned that if particles are ground into smaller ones (micronised or nanoparticle), this significantly reduces the white cast and greatly improves the SPF making for smoother formulas that feel lighter on the skin.
Nanoparticles are used in a multitude of applications such as medications, cosmetics, construction, and paints. The concern with sunscreen is that these small-sized particles can be absorbed by the skin and possibly by microorganisms such as coral. Studies are inconclusive as to the ecological effects of nano zinc used in sunscreens. There is no universal approach regarding nanoparticles in sunscreens, and they are approved and used widely across the globe. We simply don’t know enough about non-nano zinc oxide to claim that it has no effect when it comes into contact with coral reefs. Due to the conflicting research regarding this topic, for now, we recommend choosing a sunscreen brand that clearly states the type of zinc they use, and opt for one that uses non nano zinc, but even better cover your skin so that you don’t need sun lotion.
Related: 5 Tips to Reduce Plastic Waste When Shaving
We hope that our overview of biodegradable sunscreen brands has helped you find the perfect one for your needs.
In today’s fashion and beauty-oriented lifestyle, sustainable and non-toxic skincare products are in high demand. As people become more conscious about their skin and the environment, beauty products have to meet some essential requirements in taking care of the well-being of the users without causing any adverse effects. At the same time, the environmental impact of such products has also become a matter of concern due to the presence of chemical and toxic components that lead to higher waste generation and increased pollution. So there is a growing demand for more zero-waste, plastic-free, organic products that protect the environment and marine lives from harmful effects.
Parts of this article have been written by Belinda Sharrock, Founder at Winki Zinc.
Belinda developed Winki Zinc products after she experienced first hand the greasy film of sunscreen while surfing on the coral reef in Sri Lanka. When she learned of the chemicals contained in this film she was determined to create a more gentle and kind product using zinc, for people to wear outdoors. She has a diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation and a degree in Outdoor and Environmental Education.