The 18 Best Natural Sunscreens

Better for the planet, safe for your skin—and won't leave you with a white cast.

woman with sun on her face surrounded by trees
(Image credit: Getty)

If you're here looking for a natural and organic sunscreen—nay, the best natural sunscreen—you probably already know what a "natural" sunscreen is. But as a quick refresher, sunscreen is divided into two categories: chemical sunscreen (which use various active chemicals to absorb and disperse UV rays across your skin) and natural sunscreen (which use active minerals, like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, to reflect rays off your skin). Both are effective in protecting your skin from sun damage, but if your skin is sensitive or you're not into chemicals, natural and organic sunscreen formulas—often described as "mineral" sunscreens—are the way to go.

How does a natural sunscreen work?

According to Dr. Gretchen Frieling: "A physical or mineral sunscreen contains ingredients such as titanium dioxide and/or iron oxide and works by sitting on the skin surface and physically blocking UV light, either by reflecting or absorbing the light. For this reason, mineral sunscreens tend to cause less skin irritation and adverse reactions. They have less reports of allergic reactions and tend to be more tolerable."

The flip side: Natural sunscreens are notorious for leaving white casts or not blending properly. So, to save you the trouble, we rounded up the top-rated natural sunscreens that are safe and won't leave chalky casts on your skin.

Laura Lajiness Kaupke
Freelance Fashion and Beauty Writer

Laura Lajiness Kaupke is a freelance writer and editor covering fashion, accessories, fine jewelry, and lifestyle topics, including beauty, home, fitness, and travel. You can see her work across various outlets, including VOGUE, Harper’s BAZAAR, ELLE, Glamour, Town&Country, InStyle, Esquire, Women’s Health, Brides, Refinery 29, Coveteur, The Zoe Report, Popsugar, Byrdie, WWD, Footwear News, Well+Good, The Editorialist, among other titles and brands. Laura has worked in the fashion industry for over 11 years and held senior fashion editor positions at Popsugar and The Zoe Report, with additional experience as a copywriter and fashion publicist.