A Guide to Clean and Sustainable SPF
By Jaclyn Tracy
Image: Beautycounter
Although we should be wearing sun protection year-round, as we approach Spring/Summer we tend to reconsider and refresh our SPF routine. Sunscreen is such an important area to “clean up” our routine, ensuring that we are using high quality, clean, and sustainable products.
What sunscreen chemicals are bad for us & marine life?
Using products with only clean ingredients (non-toxic) prevents chemicals like oxybenzone, octinoxate and retinyl palmitate more from getting into our systems. These ingredients (among many others) are known as endocrine disruptors and are harmful in small doses because they mimic the hormones that our bodies create and can interfere with our reproductive systems, metabolism and more. (1) They are especially bad for little ones whose systems are still developing.
Sunscreen can also be really bad for the ocean too because many traditional sunscreens contain these chemicals that are very harmful to marine life and can cause damage to coral reefs.
Chemicals found in many sunscreens that you should avoid:
Oxybenzone: Very commonly found in sunscreen, has been shown to cause coral bleaching, which can lead to the death of coral reefs. It also has been linked to hormone disruption and allergic reactions in some people.
Octinoxate: This chemical can also cause coral bleaching and has been found to have harmful effects on marine life. It has also been shown to have harmful effects on the human reproductive system.
Retinyl Palmitate: This form of Vitamin A can break down in sunlight and release harmful free radicals that can damage marine life and cause damage to your skin and increase the risk of skin cancer.
Homosalate: This chemical has been linked to hormone disruption and may also be a skin irritant.
When we swim in the ocean or any other body of water while wearing sunscreen, these harmful chemicals can leach into the water and harm the marine life. Additionally, these chemicals can accumulate in the tissues of marine organisms and can lead to long-term health problems.
To help reduce the impact of sunscreen on the ocean, we recommend using mineral-based sunscreens that contain ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide—see our top recommendations below! These ingredients are very effective in protecting your skin from the sun's harmful rays and not at all harmful to marine life.
We’ve rounded up clean and sustainable sunscreens that meet our standards of safety for your skin and for our planet.
Image: Beautycounter
BEAUTYCOUNTER
Clean Beauty With a Cause
Beautycounter is a leader in the clean and sustainable beauty movement and for good reason. They are a company powered by people and have a goal to get safe products into the hands of everyone.
Sustainability Efforts:
Launched a comprehensive responsible sourcing program, focusing on high-risk ingredients such as mica, palm, and vanilla.
Launched a consumer-friendly recycling labels to help you properly dispose of and recycle our products.
Set a goal to have 100% recyclable, refillable, and/or compostable packaging 2025.
Price: $$
Image: Ilia
ILIA
Happy, Healthy Skin
Healthy skin is happy skin! A team SPF favorite is Ilia’s super serum skin tint. This product is both skincare and makeup in 1 to save time, energy, and the planet.
Sustainability Efforts:
Packaging is made from recycled aluminum, glass components, and responsibly sourced paper.
You can recycle your product with Ilia.
Price: $$
Image: Josh Rosebrook
JOSH ROSEBROOK
A Holistic Approach to Beauty
Josh Rosebrook sources organic and wildcrafted ingredients for their products.
Sustainability Efforts:
All of the ingredients are 100% entirely earth-friendly and completely biodegradable.
The brand uses biodegradable and recyclable packaging materials that are made from plant-based sources such as paper, glass, and aluminum.
Josh Rosebrook uses 100% renewable energy to power their manufacturing facility, which helps to reduce their carbon footprint.
Josh Rosebrook supports various environmental and social causes through their philanthropic efforts.
Price: $$
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Image Coola
COOLA
A Beautiful Healthy
COOLA is passionate about creating beautiful product experiences that embody a happy, healthy lifestyle. They believe that clean beauty should feel as good as it is healthy. They are on a mission to develop organic products you'll love wearing every day.
Sustainability Efforts:
hey use organic, non-GMO, and sustainable ingredients in their formulations and avoid using harmful chemicals such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, and synthetic fragrances.
Coola also sources their ingredients from sustainable and ethical suppliers and uses eco-friendly packaging, including recyclable materials, biodegradable tubes and infinitely recyclable glass bottles.
They offset their greenhouse gas emissions and using renewable energy sources in their operations.
Price: $$
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INDIE LEE
Perfect for beach days and outdoor activities
This face and body mineral sunscreen has 20% uncoated Zinc Oxide for broad spectrum SPF 30 protection, which means minimal white cast. Squalane, Shea Butter and Aloe provide rich moisture to keep skin hydrated all day long.
Give sunscreen a shake before applying. Apply liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure. Kick back, relax and reapply every 2 hours for maximum sun protection.
Sustainability Efforts:
Indie Lee always formulates without 1,300+ Banned Ingredients, Including: Parabens, Mineral Oil, Sulfate-based Detergents, Synthetic Fragrance, Petroleum-based Ingredients, Phthalates, Phenoxyethanol, Formaldehyde and GMO Ingredients.
Cruelty-free
Phthalate-free
Plant-derived ingredients
Promote the use of products from
organic agriculture, and respecting biodiversity.Use natural resources responsibly, and respecting the environment.
Use processing & manufacturing that are clean & respectful of human health and the environment.
Integrating & developing the concept of "Green Chemistry”: meaning ‘greener’ chemical processes to more traditional forms of product development. A commitment to seek more sustainable options in product formulation.
Indie Lee uses sustainable packaging materials such as glass, paper, and biodegradable plastic to reduce waste. They also encourage their customers to recycle their packaging and offer a recycling program for their empties.
Price: $$
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Recycling Beauty Products Tips:
You can drop all beauty products at Nordstrom for recycling.
Epstein, Samuel S. Healthy Beauty. Dallas, BenBella Books, 2009.
