Clean Sunscreens 2019: Which Ones Are Worth The Price Tag?
May 28, 2019One of the biggest buzzes for this season is clean sunscreen, but the bigger question is which ones are ACTUALLY clean? How safe are they? Are they worth the $30 price tag? There are so many factors!!! So I'm putting together a clean sunscreen list of the ones I've tried, loved, hated, AND some of the cult favorites everyone is going crazy for!
Let's first go through what it means when you're looking for a clean sunscreen that's actually on the safer end. One key detail to pay attention to is finding one that say "Mineral Sunscreen" NOT "Mineral Based". The ones that are mineral based, are normally also filled with other active ingredients that would not be considered safe or clean. The next thing you can do is to use the app, Think Dirty. This app allows for easy search ability of your favorite brands and beauty products to find out which ingredients, if any, could potentially cause health implications long term. To read about this more in depth, head over the this article by Bloomberg. I actually used this app to confirm the sunscreens I'm listing here as truly safe, if they are on the list, or just safe by hearsay.
According to Goop, "Chemical sunscreens employ a potent combination of chemicals like oxybenzone, octinoxate (octylmethoxycinnamate), homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, and avobenzone, many of which are hormone and endocrine disruptors. Hormone and endocrine disruptors are scary because they’re most harmful in small doses, as they mimic the hormones that our bodies create daily and can interfere with everything from our reproductive systems to our metabolism. They’re particularly bad for young ones whose systems are rapidly developing. Oxybenzone is pernicious (it earns an 8 from the EWG)." All of these are weighted separately and I want to remind you that I'm going to list the best overall options on a safe AND user friendly end.
Now that we've reviewed the why, let's get to it!
Body Sunscreens
Personally, this is my favorite type of sunscreen to use. It's the easiest to apply, therefore making me less likely to miss a weird hand shaped red spot. Y'all, we've all been there!
Cost: $28
- Mineral: Yes
- Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Octocrylene 10%, and Octisalate 5%
- SPF: 50
- Dirty-O-Meter: 3
- Scent: Warm and Coconut
- Blendability: Blends easily and matte finish
- Dry Time: Quick
Beautycounter
***Cult Favorite Alert***
The next spray favorites are Beautycounter's Spray Sunscreens.
Cost: $20-38
- Mineral: Yes
- Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide
- SPF: 30
- Dirty-O-Meter: 5
- Scent: Warm and Coconut
- Blendability: Blends easily and matte finish
- Dry Time: Quick
I always want to keep a level of full transparency with my girlies, so just as one form of monetization for my blog is affiliate links where I make a small percentage from sales when you use one of my links (and no that doesn't mean you pay extra, it means the brand sends over a little kick back to say thank you for sending you their way). I also am a consultant with Beautycounter, because I found that my skin does best with their beauty regimen and I use A LOT of their make-up products, simply because I love them and it puts my mind at ease that they do a lot of research to ensure the safety of their products. So, that means if you choose to purchase anything on the Beautycounter site, I would love to help you with any questions you have and then when it asks if you're working with a consultant, it would mean the world for you to just type in my name, Chloe Homan. This also let's me know what you guys are loving and allows me to create more content for you in the future! Okay, sorry for the detour there guys, just wanted make sure we're all on the same page here. :)
Face Sun Care
PCA Skin Sheer Tint
***I use this under my make-up or when I don't wear any makeup!***
Cost: $50
- Mineral: Yes
- Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide
- SPF: 45
- Dirty-O-Meter: Not Listed, but does have the Skin Cancer Foundation Recommend Seal
- Tinted: Yes
- Scent: Light to no-scent
- Blendability: Blends easily, light coverage, perfect for under make-up or on its own
- Dry Time: 15-30 Seconds
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation
***I've been using this for years and LOVE it! I can't stand a full coverage/cakey foundation look, but this one still looks like your own skin, just better!***
Cost: $39
- Mineral: Yes
- Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide
- SPF: 50
- Dirty-O-Meter: Not Listed
- Tinted: Yes, Full Coverage
- Scent: Light to no-scent
- Blendability: Blends easily and gives a full coverage like foundation with a dewy finish
- Dry Time: 30 Seconds
Supergoop! Mineral Matte Screen
***Cult Favorite Alert***
Cost: $38
- Mineral: Yes
- Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide
- SPF: 40
- Dirty-O-Meter: 3
- Tinted: Yes
- Scent: Light to no-scent
- Blendability: Blends easily, matte tinted finish, silky, and fills pores for under make-up
- Dry Time: 15-30 Seconds
CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen
Cost: $15
- Mineral: Yes
- Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide
- SPF: 30
- Dirty-O-Meter: 5 (New Product, waiting on final number)
- Tinted: No
- Scent: Light to no-scent
- Blendability: Blends easily, light weight and oil free
- Dry Time: 15-30 Seconds
Beautycounter Dew Skin
***This is one of my favorites to use on days I want a no make-up, make-up look. Love the dewy finish and intense hydration with a light coverage.
Cost: $45
- Mineral: Yes
- Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide
- SPF: 20
- Dirty-O-Meter: Not Listed
- Tinted: No
- Scent: Light
- Blendability: Blends easily, light coverage, super hydrating!!!
- Dry Time: 30 Seconds
Drunk Elephant Umbra
***Cult Favorite Alert***
Cost: $34-36
- Mineral: Yes
- Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 20%
- SPF: 30
- Dirty-O-Meter: 5
- Tinted: Tinted and Non
- Scent: Light to no-scent
- Blendability: Blends easily, oil free (however, if you have super oily skin, this may make you feel even oilier)
- Dry Time: 30 Seconds
All the love,
Chloe
