Wearing sunscreen is perhaps the single most important step of any skincare routine! Whether you are sitting outside at the pool or in an office with large windows, it is essential to use sunscreen every day. While we know the importance of using it, sometimes it is hard to find a product with SPF that we like to use. Some leave a white caste, others a heavy feeling on the skin, or maybe they cause you to break out. We will discuss why it is vital to use sunscreen, the dangers of traditional sunscreen, and then share the 10 top vegan sunscreens you have to try! We include products that are great for any skin type, whether you have oily, dry, or combination skin.
Why is sunscreen important?
Exposure to UVA/UVB rays from the sun dramatically increases your chance of getting skin cancer which can be deadly. Wearing at least SPF 15 daily can decrease your chances of developing squamous cell carcinoma by about 40%. Additionally, it lowers your risk of developing melanoma, one of the most dangerous forms of skin cancer, by about 50 percent. Considering it takes about 15 seconds to apply the product to your face, sunscreen is effective and easy to use daily! Everyone over six months is advised to wear sunscreen to all exposed skin areas every day.
Dangers of Traditional Sunscreen.
Traditional sunscreen is full of ingredients that are potentially hazardous to your health! This is ironic because you are trying to protect yourself by using it. However, chemicals such as oxybenzone, octyl methoxycinnamate, homosalate, and avobenzone are commonly found in sunscreen. The FDA considers these chemicals dangerous as they are known hormone and endocrine disrupters. Scientific studies have shown that oxybenzone affects female breast development, infant birth weight, and adolescent males’ sperm function.
We have written before about how everything you put on your skin enters the bloodstream. It is no different for sunscreen, and these chemicals occur in the breastmilk of traditional sunscreen users! However, in 2019 an FDA study showed that these chemicals are absorbed by the skin at rates higher than previously thought. When choosing a sunscreen, avoid these chemicals for your overall physical health. This is why choosing a vegan sunscreen is important! Here are ten top vegan sunscreens to keep your skin and whole body safe this summer.
The Top 10 Vegan Sunscreen Options:
1: Sun Bum Face Lotion SPF 50
This affordable vegan sunscreen option is also conveniently available at all major retailers! This Sun Bum product is hypoallergenic, oxybenzone, octinoxate, cruelty, gluten, and paraben-free! While most Sun Bum products have a fruity, tropical scent, this product is different. It is fragrance-free, which makes it a positive choice for those with sensitive skin.
2: Bare Republic Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
Bare Republic uses minerals like zinc oxide to reflect the sun rays and protect you from UV rays’ dangers and aging effects. It is free of chemical actives, synthetic fragrances, and parabens and helps preserve marine ecosystems by being Hawaii Reef Compliant! Bare Republic is formulated with kukui seed oil to moisturize and baobab extract to protect skin from free-radical damage. This product is full of wins for your skin, especially if you have a dry complexion.
3: Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40
One of the top skincare brands on the market, Supergoop is a trendy vegan sunscreen brand. However, this Glowscreen does more than protect you from the rays of the sun. It helps filter the blue light from your device screens and contains powerful skincare ingredients like sea lavender, Vitamin B5, and Cocoa Peptides. As a bonus, it acts as a primer for any makeup you wear. It is an Allure Best of Beauty Winner too!
4: Glossier Invisible Shield SPF 35
Glossier considers this the perfect sunscreen for those that hate wearing the product! It is a water-gel-based formula that leaves no white cast or greasy residue. Invisible Shield contains no alcohol, which makes it an excellent sunscreen version for those with sensitive skin. However, it also has vitamin E, vitamin P, broccoli, and aloe leaf extracts to help neutralize free radicals, which means your sunscreen is working overtime!
5: COOLA Organic Sun Silk Drops SPF 30
Add these drops to your moisturizer or mix with any serum you use in your skincare routine. This ease of use means you won’t forget to wear sunscreen daily! This top vegan sunscreen is ultra hydrating and contains many plant extracts to help your skin glow.
6: Kiss My Face Purely Mineral Air Powered Spray Sunscreen 30 SPF
This Kiss My Face vegan sunscreen is for your whole body! Its formula does not contain oxybenzone, parabens, or phthalates. However, it does have ingredients like safflower and sunflower oil. Adding aloe vera and green tea is excellent for sensitive skin as these ingredients are very soothing. This fragrance-free formula has 100% active mineral ingredients for sun safety.
7: Alba Botanica Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
Specifically formulated for sensitive skin, this Alba Botanica vegan sunscreen is fragrance-free. It is recognized as cruelty-free by the Leaping Bunny Program and is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation. It does not contain harmful chemicals like oxybenzone or octinoxate. This is an excellent option if you are going to be at the pool or beach as it is biodegradable and water resistant for up to 80 minutes!
8: Pacifica SEA & C Sheer Sunscreen Spray SPF 30
Another great option available at most retailers, SEA and C Sheer Sunscreen Spray, is a top-of-the-line vegan sunscreen option. It brings together skincare and suncare in one easy-to-spray aerosol-free bottle. Though it is full of mineral protection, it goes on and stays sheer. Get your skin glowing with its inclusion of vitamin C and marine plant extracts! This product is for all skin types.
9: Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30
From a Black Woman Owned company, Black Girl Sunscreen is specifically formulated for people of color. It contains avocado, jojoba, cacao, carrot juice, and sunflower oil. This potent plant blend means the vegan sunscreen is full of vitamins and antioxidants. Super moisturizing and packed with antioxidants, this product is excellent for all skin types and is sure to improve your skin while protecting you! You want to check out this great product and support a fantastic brand that makes a difference.
10: HydroPeptide Solar Defense SPF 50
Are you looking for a hight power SPF? Look no further than this vegan sunscreen option from HydroPeptide! It is a lightweight formula that is meant for everyday wear. The product contains no fragrance or sulfites, making it excellent for sensitive skin. Additionally, Solar Defense dries to a matte finish, which means it’s perfect for those with an oily complexion. If you are worried about sun damage like fine lines or wrinkles, HydroPeptide formulated this product just for you.
Overall, keep the Five W’s in mind when it comes to vegan sunscreen!
Who: Everyone over the way age of six months! No matter your skin tone or age sunscreen is vital for all.
What: Choose a broad spectrum SPF 15 or higher; SPF 30 or higher for a day outdoors. Pick one that is a top vegan sunscreen to ensure you are using ingredients that are healthy not only for your skin but for your whole body!
Where: All skin that is being exposed to UVB/UVA rays! Don’t forget areas like the back of your hands, the tops of your feet, and your ears. These areas have very thin and delicate skin that is especially vulnerable to burning.
When: Every day! Whether you are sitting inside or spending the day outside, it is vital to wear sunscreen daily to protect yourself from dangers like skin cancer and also to ward off the sun’s effects that cause aging.
Why: Sunscreen is proven by science to protect your skin from developing skin cancers that can be deadly! It is important to choose sunscreens that are vegan to ensure you are not adding dangerous chemicals to your bloodstream.
How: Choosing one of the products on our top vegan sunscreens list is a great place to start! Experts recommend applying one to two ounces to cover the entirety of your body. A great visual for this is to think of a shot glass! By applying a shot glass worth of sunscreen, you will be sure to be adequately applying your sunblock.
Have you tried one of the ten top vegan sunscreens we have shared?
If you do not currently use one in your daily vegan skincare routine be sure to add one this summer! You will not regret protecting yourself from the damaging and potentially deadly effects of the sun’s dangerous rays by wearing sunscreen. Nor will you regret choosing a safe vegan option that protects you from potentially deadly chemicals!
