The Healthy Sunscreens Beauty Experts Actually Use

Sunscreen is a non-negotiable part of a healthy lifestyle, but choosing healthy sunscreens can be tricky.

Maybe you’re concerned about chemical ingredients like oxybenzone, but then every time you buy something labeled “natural” you end up looking like someone colored your body with chalk (great beach look, obviously).

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) provides an awesome guide to safer sunscreens. Unfortunately the scientists who create it aren’t focused on the pettier practical issues, like how many great waves you missed trying to apply a thick paste.

That’s where the beauty pros come in. We asked skincare experts to share the healthy sunscreens they actually use—for summer lounging and outdoor workouts. All of their picks are mineral-based (made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide instead of chemical filters) and free of potentially harmful inactive ingredients.

Follow their lead to protect your skin (and whole self) while soaking up the happiness-boosting great outdoors.

The Healthy Sunscreens Beauty Experts Trust

Mineral Cremé SPF 50 by MD SolarSciences, $30

This silky, matte, eco-cert SPF formula works well for all skin types. It’s excellent on it’s own for oily skin and also paired with other moisturizers and foundation for skin that is dehydrated or dry. It doesn’t feel greasy or leave your skin shiny. Bonus: It’s safe enough to use on babies six months or older.

—Jillian Wright, founder, Jillian Wright Skincare, co-founder Indie Beauty Expo, @jillianwrightskincare

Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense SPF 30, $36

If you suffer from pigmentation issues (like me), it’s really important to use a zinc-based sunscreen, but it’s really hard to find a good zinc-based sunscreen. I am completely infatuated with the new Drunk Elephant Tinted Umbra. Normally I hate tinted sunscreens, but I love this one. I absolutely love the texture and color of the product—it’s a perfect balance of matte but still glowy, which suits my oily/combination skin perfectly. The formula also features antioxidants to help defend against free radicals.

—Robin Shobin, founder, CharlottesBook.com, @robinshobin

Josh Rosebrook Nutrient Day Cream SPF 30, $85

I’m a big fan of Josh Rosebrook’s Nutrient Day Cream. It performs as both a moisturizer and SPF 30 sunscreen, which is perfect for keeping your skincare light in the summer. It’s full of nourishing plant-based ingredients like aloe vera gel, rose hips, borage, nettles, and so many more. Plus, it feels great going on and doesn’t leave an oily finish or white cast on the skin. There’s even a tinted version if you want a little bit of color!

—Rebecca Casciano, Makeup artist/natural beauty expert, @rebeccacasciano

My all-time favorite sunscreen is Josh Rosebrook’s Nutrient Day Cream. It’s also a top seller for Follain all year long. I love that it’s the only daily face moisturizer I have to use in the warmer months. It’s a powerful anti-aging face cream packed with hydrating oils and butters, along with a ton of non-nano, non-pasty white zinc oxide.

—Tara Foley, founder and CEO, Follain, @tcofoley

Naturopathica Daily UV Defense Cream SPF 50, $58

I love this sunscreen! The smell is light and soothing, plus I feel good putting it on my skin because it’s made with incredible ingredients. The zinc oxide protects your skin from the sun, deep sea enzymes preserve your precious skin, and green tea leaf extract is anti-inflammatory as well as being an excellent source of antioxidants and vitamins.

—Nitika Chopra, talk show host/beauty and lifestyle expert, @nitikachopra

Babo Botanicals Super Shield Sport Stick Sunscreen SPF 50, $16

This is one of my many picks from my recent guide to the best natural sunscreens. I grab this little sunscreen stick when I need serious protection on my face. It’s called a “sport stick” because this stuff doesn’t budge. Sweat proof and waterproof, it’s ideal if you’re headed to the beach, river, hiking, etc. also because it won’t just streak off the moment you begin sweat or get in the water. For being such high coverage SPF, it’s pretty amazing that it’s not super chalky or heavy when applied. It’s so small that I can just toss this in my purse and easily apply if needed when I’m out and about.