Whether I'm traveling or hanging around the house, using sunscreen daily has been part of my routine for years. And when it comes to the beach, it’s a non-negotiable.
There are two types of sunscreens you can wear: physical/mineral and chemical. In general, but especially at the beach, a mineral sunscreen is your best bet.
Research suggests that common chemical sunscreen ingredients, such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, can be harmful to aquatic life, more specifically, coral reefs. Some popular travel destinations, like Hawaii, have even banned the sale and distribution of non-mineral sunscreens for this reason.
Reef-safe and reef-friendly sunscreen falls into the mineral category. While there aren't regulations around the “reef-safe" label, they mainly use zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as active ingredients.
As someone who swears by this type, I tested out 10 reef-safe sunscreens, and these are my five favorites that you'll want to pack for your next beach trip.
In this article
Beauty By Earth Barrier Protection Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
The Beauty By Earth Barrier Protection Mineral Sunscreen has SPF 50 with non-nano zinc oxide as the main ingredient. It’s dermatologist-tested and great for kids and adults since it provides 80 minutes of water resistance, making it ideal for beach days, whether you’re lounging on the sand, surfing, or playing volleyball.
This pick applies easily and leaves my skin feeling nice and soft, thanks to hydrating ingredients like argan oil, shea butter, and jojoba oil. I also love the vanilla coconut scent that gives it a subtle hint of sweetness. When I first opened the bottle, a little oil came out before the lotion, so I make sure to give it a good shake every time I use it.
I got it on sale for $28, but it’s originally $32.99; however, I feel like the premium feel matches the price.
Blue Lizard Sport Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
An active beach day calls for heavy-duty protection, and the Blue Lizard Sport Mineral SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen is made for working up a sweat outdoors. This popular mineral sunscreen offers 80 minutes of water resistance with active ingredients like 8% titanium dioxide and 10% zinc oxide, which allow it to block 98% of harmful rays.
The vegan formula is also fragrance-free and paraben-free, and it’s easy to apply. It doesn’t feel heavy or sticky, and it leaves only a faint white cast when blended in well.
At $11.49, it’s also one of the more affordable options out of my favorites. I was able to grab it at a local pharmacy, so it’s widely accessible should you need to buy it on vacation, too.
Thinksport Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
The Thinksport Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 is a great value mineral sunscreen, at $20.99 for a 6-ounce bottle, making it the largest on the list. It contains 23.4% non-nano zinc oxide as the active ingredient, providing solid coverage.
The Thinksport line is designed for an active lifestyle, with 80 minutes of water resistance, so it’s a great pick for a busy beach day or working out with a swim session.
This sunscreen has a slight citrus scent, but it’s not overwhelming. The lotion is on the thicker side, so it does take a bit more effort to blend in. It leaves a little white cast, but I still think it’s a solid option.
Thrive Natural Care Sunscreen SPF 50
The Thrive Natural Care Sunscreen is one of the most expensive reef-safe sunscreen options, priced at $34.95. However, it comes in a generous 5.8-ounce bottle, which is more than enough for several beach outings.
It has 23.5% zinc oxide as an active ingredient, and it’s equipped with SPF 50. The 80 minutes of water resistance is also sweat-resistant.
The sunscreen has a notable citrusy scent and comes out nice and smooth and applies well, but it takes a while to blend in. There’s a slight white cast, but it fades a little once it settles in.
Badger Adventure Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
The Badger Reef Safe Mineral Sunscreen is $18.99, has SPF 50, contains 25% non-nano uncoated zinc oxide, and is made for outdoor enthusiasts. Its 80 minutes of water resistance can hold up against sweat and swimming in the ocean, and it’s hypoallergenic, moisturizing, and tested safe for sensitive skin.
In addition to zinc oxide, the sunscreen consists only of organic sunflower oil, organic beeswax, and sunflower vitamin E. Since it comes out really thick, it requires more blending and leaves a slight white cast, but I think it’s worth it for the premium organic ingredients.
Honorable Mentions
The other mineral sunscreens I tried were Stream 2 Sea Every Day Active Mineral Sunscreen SPF 45, Project Reef Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50, Kokua Sun Care Hawaiian Sunscreen SPF 50, Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50, and All Good Sport Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30. While they’re all reef-safe sunscreens that performed well, they didn’t make my top picks due to heavy white casts, high prices, small sizes, or lower SPF. Though, they might fit the needs of other travelers.
The Shortcut
Reef-safe sunscreens use zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as active ingredients instead of chemicals like oxybenzone, which research links to coral reef damage.
White cast is the most common complaint about mineral sunscreen. Look for formulas with non-nano zinc oxide and blend thoroughly to minimize it.
Water resistance matters as much as SPF at the beach. All five picks offer 80 minutes of water resistance, which is the highest rating available.
