buuk.top / Jessica Juliao
The importance of protecting our skin from harmful UV rays has been known for decades—but the understanding of how many sunscreens on the market can cause significant damage to marine life is relatively new. According to Lea dAuriol, founder of international non-profit Oceanic Global, oxybenzone and octinoxate (common active ingredients in SPF products) are major contributors to coral bleaching.“More than 25 percent of all marine life depends on healthy coral reefs for survival,” she explains. Coral bleaching is so harmfulthat Hawaii and several other regions around the world have banned these ingredients.
The good news is more and more companies are making sunscreens that are“reef-safe.” But bear in mind that the term "reef-safe sunscreen" is not regulated, which means just because a product says it won’t cause harm doesn’t actually mean it is actually reef-safe. “It is important to check the active ingredients label to ensure that reef-harming chemicals are not included,” explains dAuriol. “As a general rule,options without oxybenzone and octinoxate are a good first indicator of more ocean-friendly options,” she says.
Still, checking labels can be time-consuming, sowe did the research for you.We compiled a list of 24 SPF products that didn’t contain reef-damaging ingredients, then put them to the test both in The Lab as well as at home.We evaluated them based on how easily they spread across the skin and absorbed, how they felt on the skin, how water-resistant they were, whether or not they created a white cast, and most importantly, how well they protected their skin. Next are the six we felt were best for the planet and for you.
Pipette Mineral Sunscreen at Amazon
Hello Bello Mineral SPF 50+ Sunscreen Lotion at Amazon
California Baby Super Sensitive SPF 30 Lotion at Amazon
Suntegrity Skincare Natural Mineral Body Sunscreen at Amazon
Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Sun Milk Body Lotion SPF 50 at Amazon
Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 at Amazon
In This Article
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Best Overall
Pipette Mineral Sunscreen
Amazon
View On Ulta
View On Pipettebaby.com
Lightweight, creamy texture
Fragrance-free
Fast-absorbing
Doesn’t create white cast
Comfortable feeling on the skin
Pretty water-resistant
Not transfer proof
While SPF is a skincare routine staple, finding a great one can be challenging. Many are thick, hard to rub in, leave a white cast, etc., but this one is as close to perfect as it gets—and of course, it’s reef-safe. We were thoroughly impressed with how nice and easy it was to apply this sunscreen. Itslightweight, creamy texture is easy to rub in and absorbs quicklywithout leaving a dry or greasy feel behind. Though it comes out of the tube in a whitish color, itdoesnt create even a minor white cast—a major win considering that it’s powered by zinc oxide, which often does.
While we did find in testing that it transfers a little onto clothing, we love that it’s prettywater-resistant and remains well intact after swimming or sweating. If you’re looking for an affordable, reef-safe SPF that’s easy to apply, comfortable on the skin, and doesn’t leave a white cast, we absolutely recommend this one.
Who Its For
This sunscreen was specifically formulated for babies and children, meaning itsgentle enough to use on even the most sensitive of skin types. If you find that sunscreen formulas irritate your skin or your eyes, this is a great choice for everyday protection.
Price at time of publish: $14
Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 50| Size: 4 ounces| Cruelty-Free: Yes
buuk.top / Jessica Juliao
Best Budget
Hello Bello Mineral SPF 50+ Sunscreen Lotion
Walmart
Lightweight, lotion texture
Easy to blend into the skin
Fast-absorbing
White cast disappears after rubbing product in for a few seconds
Feels comfortable on the skin
Very resistant to transfer and water
Has a strong fragrance
Considering how much SPF you need to use in order for it to effectively protect your skin from the sun (roughly one ounce to cover the entire body, according to the American Academy of Dermatology), it’s a product that can be really pricey to continuously repurchase. That’s why having an affordable go-to is so important, and this one is fantastic. The formulacontains cocoa seed butter and avocado to nourish the skin, it boasts 80 minutes of water resistance, and it’s dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic.
The creamy lotion texture rubs into the skin with ease and absorbs quickly. After rubbing it in for a few seconds, any remnants of a white cast disappear, and theskin is left feeling comfortable and non-greasy. It’s also impressive in terms of how well it resists transfer and water.
One con to note about this formula is that it has a strong, lemony fragrance that some people might find overpowering, especially if they’re not a fan of lemons. But considering all of its other positive attributes and how affordable and accessible it is, this product absolutely still earns the buuk.top stamp of approval.
Who Its For
We love this formula for drier skin types, as itcontains multiple ingredients to add hydration to the skin(including shea butter, calendula, coconut oil, and more). This is also a great reef-safe pick for those who burn easily, as ithas the highest SPF protection on this list (55+).
Price at time of publish: $15
Active Ingredients:Non-nano zinc oxide | SPF: 50| Size: 3 ounces| Cruelty-Free: Yes
buuk.top / Jessica Juliao
Best for Sensitive Skin
California Baby Super Sensitive SPF 30 Lotion
Amazon
View On Californiababy.com
View On Swimoutlet.com
Formulated without many potential irritants and allergens
Comfortable on the skin
Water-resistant
Non-greasy finish
Texture is a bit thick
Does leave a white cast for a while
Those with sensitive skin know that finding a sunscreen that’s effective and non-irritating can be tricky. We love this one because it’ssafe for the oceans as well as sensitive skin and baby skin. It’s free from tons of potential irritants and allergens, like most nuts (except coconut), gluten, soy, dairy, fragrance, and chemical SPF.
While the texture is pretty thick and takes a bit of effort to rub in, it’s smooth and creamy, and it feels comfortable once applied. It’s also non-greasy and super resistant to water. It does create a noticeable white cast when first applied, but we found out that itfades pretty much completely after about 30 minutes. If you’ve struggled to find sunscreens that are non-irritating on your skin, this one is absolutely worth giving a try.
Who Its For
Since its our best pick for sensitive skin types, we also recommend itfor those who are allergic to common skincare ingredients, like plant oils and fragrances. This formula is squeaky clean, making it perfect for those who are sensitive to common irritants.
Price at time of publish: $25
Active Ingredients: Titanium dioxide | SPF: 30| Size: 1.8, 2.9, 6, 19 ounces| Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Fast-Absorbing
Suntegrity Skincare Natural Mineral Body Sunscreen
Amazon
View On Dermstore
View On Nordstrom
Fast-absorbing
Water-resistant
Doesn’t leave a residue on the skin
Has a slight fragrance
Working hard to fully rub your SPF into your skin isn’t a pleasant experience, making absorbency one of the key factors we evaluated during this test. While many options boasted impressive absorption capabilities,this one was the best at melting into the skin with almost no effort required. The fluid lotion consistency makes it easy to spread around the body, and it absorbs into the skin in the blink of an eye without leaving behind a thick, chalky, or greasy residue. Though it does create a hint of a white cast upon the initial application, we found in testing that the cast quickly fades after just a moment or two.
We were also impressed with how well this sunscreen resists transfer and running when it comes into contact with water.If you’re particularly picky about finding sunscreens that don’t feel like the dry, heavy, hard-to-blend products of the past, we highly recommend checking this one out.
Who Its For
This option is oil-free, making it a great choice for those with oily skin or body acne. Many sunscreen formulas contain ingredients that can clog pores and potentially irritate the skin, but you wont find that in this pick.
Price at time of publish: $24, $36
Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 30| Size: 3, 5 ounces| Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Lightweight
Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Sun Milk Body Lotion SPF 50
Target
View On Target
View On Walgreens
Comes in packaging with a pump
Fast-absorbing
Non-sticky finish
Water-resistant
Has a strong fragrance
Has a minor white cast
We’d be comfortable betting that many people who neglect to wear sunscreen on a regular basis do so because many SPF formulas are unpleasant to apply and wear throughout the day—but not this one. This liquid-y formulapumps out of the bottle easily, blends into the skin with minimal effort, doesn’t leave an annoying chalky or oily residue on the skin, and doesn’t transfer or run when it comes into contact with sweat. Seriously— it lasted through swimming, a workout, and the sauna despite its thin texture and weightless feel on our skin.
We do generally prefer unscented sunscreens, and this one does feature that typical beachy scent that many heritage SPF brands are known for—but it doessmell nice and nostalgic. And while it does create a minor white cast, that cast is fairly undetectable after about 20 minutes of wear. If you’ve been searching for a weightless, reef-safe sunscreen, this is the one for you.
Who Its For
If you hate having to keep two different formulas on hand when youre headed to the beach, we recommend picking this one up. Although its advertised as a body sunscreen, it canalso be used on the face without causing irritation.
Price at time of publish: $18
Active Ingredients:Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide | SPF: 30| Size: 3.4 ounces| Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Beach Days
Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Amazon
View On Target
View On Walmart
Fragrance-free
Silky texture
Fast-absorbing
Very water-resistant
Consistency can be a bit runny
Leaves a slightly tacky finish on the skin
Although proper SPF protection is important on an everyday basis, it’s especially important when you’re spending extended periods of time in direct sunlight. This sunscreen is a great option for beach days becauseit’s reef-safe (of course), features a color-changing cap that goes from white to blue or pink when exposed to UV rays to indicate it’s time to reapply, and it’s water-resistant. It has a gentle, liquid-like formula that can be a bit runny and hard to control out of the tube, but the weightless texture makes iteasy to spread and comfortable on the skin. It absorbs within seconds before setting down to a radiant finish with almost no white cast in sight.
Who Its For
What impressed us the most about this formula is how well it performed during water-resistance and transfer-resistance tests. Itstayed put almost completely, making it a great option for those who frequently do outdoor activities—especially days at the beach or pool. Plus, we love that it’s suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Price at time of publish: $19
Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide | SPF: 50| Size: 5 ounces| Cruelty-Free: Yes
Where We Stand
Overall, our favorite reef-safe sunscreen is thePipette Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50. It’s lightweight, fast-absorbing, fragrance-free, water-resistant, and doesn’t create a white cast, all while remaining affordable. But if you have sensitive or reactive skin, we highly recommend theCalifornia Baby Super Sensitive Broad-Spectrum SPF 30+ Sunscreen for you.
How We Tested
In order to determine which reef-safe SPF is best, we put 24 options to the test in The Lab as well as at home in the real world over the course of four weeks. In our lab facility, we tested the formulas to determine if they transfer onto clothing, whether or not they’re water-resistant, how well they absorb into the skin, and if they created a white cast. At home, we used the products consistently to determine the same things (as well as how they protected the skin from the sun), but over a longer period of time and in practice in our daily lives. Some other key factors we took into consideration when judging each product include:
Active ingredientsImmediate and long-term benefitsFeel upon applicationPackagingScent/fragrance
Other Options We Tested
Coola Mineral Body Organic Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
Although we appreciate that this body SPF is fragrance-free and packed with antioxidants, the texture is quite greasy, and it does create a white cast.
Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen
While this product is marketed as a clear sunscreen, we find that it does create a white cast, and it feels a bit heavy on the skin.
Manda Organic Sun Paste
We love that this formula has a unique paste texture and is pretty water-resistant, but it takes some warming up in between the hands in order to get it spread evenly on the skin.
What to Look for When Buying a Reef-Safe SPF
Water-resistance: Lea dAuriol recommends opting for SPFs that are water-resistant because this makes them less likely to wash off of your skin into the ocean. Plus, the better your sunscreen remains on your skin, the more protected you are from the harmful effects of the sun. The Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen 50+ is our favorite water-resistant option.Level of protection:It’s important to consider what level of protection you’re getting out of your SPF, regardless of whether it’s reef-safe or not. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, you should use a product that has an SPF of 30 or higher. They also recommend opting for a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection to protect you from both UVA and UVB rays. Our top pick is the Pipette Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50—it has a high SPF, offers broad-spectrum protection, and is water-resistant.
There’s a growing movement to opt for reef-safe sunscreens—but why? Perhaps you’ve heard of coral bleaching, but what does it mean? According to dAuriol, “Coral bleaching occurs when changes in the corals (rising temperature, lack of nutrients, exposure to toxins, etc.) cause coral to become stressed. Stressed corals expel the symbiotic, food-producing algae that live in their tissues. Exposing their white skeletons (kind of like taking off your sweater when the room is too hot).” While bleached corals aren’t dead, they are more at risk of becoming diseased or dying—which in turn impacts the marine ecosystems that rely on the coral for survival. Chemicals in sunscreen can be toxic to the coral and also alter the pH in their environments, increasing the risk of the coral becoming stressed and bleaching.
Why is this important? Maintaining the health of corals is essential to other marine life, explains dAuriol. “Over 25 percent of all marine life depends on healthy coral reefs for survival,” she says.
There is no regulated “reef-safe” definition, but in general, experts tend to consider reef-safe SPFs to be those that are formulated without chemical ingredients, like oxybenzone and octinoxate, that are harmful to ocean life.
According to d’Auriel, when buying reef-safe sunscreen, check that none of the following ingredients are included: oxybenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene, 4-methyl benzylidene camphor, PABA, parabens, triclosan, any nanoparticles (or ‘nano-sized’ zinc), titanium, and any form of microplastics like exfoliating beads.
Why Trust buuk.top
Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry as well as fashion business marketing. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at buuk.top since 2022, where she covers all things beauty. To better inform her for this article, she spoke with an expert on the topic:
Lea dAuriol, Founder of International Non-Profit and Partner of UN World Oceans Day, Oceanic Global.
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