Our Top Low-Tox Sunscreens

UPDATED AS AT JANUARY 2025

There are so many sunscreens out there on the market it’s hard to know which ones to choose and with some popular sunscreen brands recently (late 2021) being recalled due to benzene being detected in them, it’s important now more than ever to choose ones that are good for your body and not containing carcinogenic ingredients such as benzene, like the ones recalled.

When purchasing sunscreen, be wary of products that don’t list their full ingredients or only list the ‘active’ ingredients (unless you know and trust that they’re a natural/no synthetics brand). There will be plenty of other ingredients in there that they haven’t listed, but they simply aren’t required by our slack labelling laws to list them.

Some we found only list the preservatives in the ingredients and nothing else.

Our advice… steer clear of these! Unless we know and trust that it is a natural brand that wouldn’t put synthetics into their formula, or we know exactly what is in it, we don’t let it get anywhere near our skin where it will be absorbed into our bloodstream.

In commercial branded sunscreens you are likely to find ingredients that can cause a whole array of health and environmental issues, such as:

❌ Endocrine/Hormone disruptors
❌ Delays puberty in males
❌ Skin and eye irritant
❌ Hives
❌ Dermatitis
❌ Headaches
❌ Tremors
❌ Allergic reactions
❌ Asthma
❌ Toxic to marine life with long lasting effects

The thing to consider with sunscreen is that it’s not just the side effects to you, the consumer, but also what effects it is going to have on our marine life given that we wear these sunscreens on our bodies in water sources that we share with marine life. We certainly don’t want to be harming our precious environment.

So here’s some natural options that you can get online, health food stores and even some chemists.

We get that it’s not as easy as buying them from the supermarket, but it is definitely worth it for your body and the environment.

Which natural sunscreen brand do you like? Tell us in the comments so we can spread the natural sunscreen word this summer

INGREDIENTS TO LOOK OUT FOR

🚩 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (Avobenzone)
Why it’s concerning: This ingredient is the most commonly ultraviolet filter ingredient in sunscreen. It has been listed on PubChem as: ‘May cause long lasting harmful effects to aquatic life’. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) list it as cancer concerning due to ‘Damage to DNA due to Parasol 1789 with exposure to UVA light.
Alternative: Use sunscreens with stable physical blockers like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

🚩 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor
Why it’s concerning: This ingredient is used in sunscreen for its ability to protect the skin against UVB radiation. The EWG lists this as a human endocrine disruptor, affects the development of male reproductive functions and organs, and impairs reproductive development in males and females, via a study conducted on rats.
Alternative: Opt for mineral-based sunscreens with non-nano zinc oxide.

🚩 Octocrylene
Why it’s concerning: Scientists in the US have petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to have products for sale containing this ingredient removed due to it having the potential to contain benzophenone which is a suspected carcinogen that can also interfere with key hormones and reproductive organs.  According to PubMed this chemical appears to be a strong allergen leading to contact dermatitis in children.
Alternative: Look for brands that specify “benzophenone-free.”

🚩 Phenoxyethanol
Why it’s concerning: The EWG lists this ingredient as having the potential to cause adverse effects on the central and peripheral nervous systems. It has also been linked to allergic contact urticaria and dermatitis. It is also classified as toxic or harmful.
Alternative: Opt for mineral-based sunscreens with non-nano zinc oxide.

🚩 Hydroxybenzoates (aka parabens)
Why it’s concerning: According to the EWG: ‘Parabens can act like the hormone estrogen in the body and disrupt the normal function of hormone systems affecting male and female reproductive system functioning, reproductive development, fertility and birth outcomes. Parabens can also interfere with the production of hormones.’
Alternative: Go for paraben-free formulas.

🚩 Homosalate
Why it’s concerning: This chemical absorbs UV rays but can accumulate in the body faster than it can be eliminated. It’s a suspected endocrine disruptor, expected to be toxic or harmful to non-reproductive organs, and may increase skin absorption of other toxic chemicals.
Alternative: Choose sunscreens with fewer synthetic chemical filters.

🚩 Octinoxate (Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnmate)
Why it’s concerning: Another endocrine disruptor, octinoxate can affect thyroid function and hormone levels. It also accumulates in the environment, harming aquatic ecosystems.
Alternative: Opt for mineral-based sunscreens with non-nano zinc oxide.

🚩 Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3)
Why it’s concerning: A known endocrine disruptor, oxybenzone can mimic hormones and interfere with the body’s hormonal balance. It’s also linked to allergic reactions and is harmful to marine life, contributing to coral bleaching.
Alternative: Look for sunscreens labeled “reef-safe” that exclude oxybenzone.

🚩 Sulfates (eg. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate)
Why it’s concerning: Common in sunscreen foams or sprays, sulfates can irritate the skin and disrupt the skin barrier.
Alternative: Choose sulfate-free sunscreens.

🚩 PEGs (Polyethylene Glycol and PPGs (Polypropylene Glycol)
Why it’s concerning: These compounds can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a carcinogen. They also make the skin more permeable, allowing other harmful chemicals to enter the body.
Alternative: Avoid products with PEG or PPG ingredients.

🚩 PABA (Para-Aminobenzoic Acid)
Why it’s concerning: Once a popular sunscreen ingredient, PABA has been largely phased out due to its links to allergic reactions and DNA damage.
Alternative: Double-check labels for older formulations that might still include PABA.

🚩 Synthetic Fragrances
Why it’s concerning: Fragrances in sunscreens can include phthalates, which are endocrine disruptors. They also often contain allergens and irritants that may trigger skin sensitivity.
Alternative: Stick with fragrance-free or products you know are fragranced from natural sources (ie. essential oils, plants, flowers, etc.)

OUR BEST AUSSIE CHOICES

SOME NEW ZEALAND CHOICES WE FOUND

NOT OUR FIRST CHOICE

But better than others…

MAKE YOUR OWN

If you have any other natural brands that you have come across and would like us to review them, then comment below and we will see if they are up to our additive-free standards and can be added to this list.

Much love,
Jo & Tracey x