Think zinc! Find the best natural sunscreen for you
In general, wearing any sunscreen is the best first step to filtering out the sun’s harmful rays. For those conscious about applying chemicals to their skin, opt for a high-quality mineral sunscreen formulated with natural ingredients to keep you protected.
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If you’re trying to avoid the chemical components in certain sunscreens, try slathering on a mineral sunscreen from our list below. They act to block the sun’s ultraviolet rays with ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide by providing a protective layer on top of your skin. In the past, this type of sunscreen had a reputation for leaving a white cast behind, but the newest technology allows mineral sun blockers to rub in better without looking like the zinc sticks of the late 80s!
BLUE LIZARD Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen
Amazon.ca
SPF: 50
Water Resistant: 80 minutes
Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
Reef Friendly: Yes
Customer Rating: 4.2 out of 5 on Amazon.ca
Be ready for any adventure with the BLUE LIZARD mineral sunscreen formulated specifically for sensitive skin. This sunscreen comes in a bottle with a cap that changes colour to alert you when harmful UV light is present, so you know when to apply.
Hawaiian Tropic Weightless Mineral Sunscreen
Amazon.ca
SPF: 30
Water Resistant: 80 minutes
Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
Reef Friendly: Yes
Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 on Amazon.ca
Hawaiian Tropic is known for its iconic island botanical scent. This lightweight lotion is non-greasy, fast-absorbing, and moisturizing for up to 12 hours. Additional ingredients include coconut and kukui nut.
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Coppertone Mineral Sunscreen
Amazon.ca
SPF: 50
Water Resistant: 80 minutes
Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide
Reef Friendly: Not advertised as reef safe on Amazon.ca
Customer Rating: 4.2 out of 5 on Amazon.ca
This 100 per cent zinc oxide mineral sunscreen is noted to be hypoallergenic and gentle, giving your skin a moisture boost for up to 24 hours. Since it’s meant for sensitive skin, it can easily be applied to both the face and body.
Sun Bum Mineral Sunscreen
Well.ca
SPF: 50
Water Resistant: 80 minutes
Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide
Reef Friendly: Yes
Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 on Well.ca
As a popular brand choice since 2010, Sun Bum now makes mineral sunscreen for those who like to go as natural as possible. Their core values are the planet, animals, and their families, so they’ve developed products that work well and are kind to those things.
Thinksport Kids Sunscreen
Amazon.ca
SPF: 50+
Water Resistant: 80 minutes
Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide
Reef Friendly: Yes
Customer Rating: 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon.ca
Thinksport is a highly effective and safe option for kids because the sunscreen is not only mineral-based, it is a non-nano solution, which means there are no nanoparticles getting into your bloodstream. This product is suitable for little ones and adults too.
Aveeno Baby Mineral Sunscreen Lotion
Amazon.ca
SPF: 50
Water Resistant: 80 minutes
Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide
Reef Friendly: Not advertised as reef safe on Amazon.ca
Customer Rating: 4.3 out of 5 on Amazon.ca
Ranked as a number one bestseller on Amazon.ca, this sunscreen is formulated for babies and is pediatrician recommended. In addition to the naturally sourced zinc, it contains soothing oats, which help make it pure enough to apply to your baby’s sensitive skin.
Like what you see? Check out our Shop the Weather articles for more must-have product recommendations.
Here’s what we kept in mind while researching top-reviewed brands:
SPF: We aligned with the recommendations from the Canadian Dermatology Association, which are to look for a product with a minimum SPF of 30 to protect against UVB rays and contain ingredients that protect against UVA rays - which contribute to premature aging and the development of skin cancer.
Water-resistant Protection: We looked for sunscreens that offer water-resistant properties for longer than 40 minutes. It’s important for consumers to note that sunscreen should always be reapplied after swimming, sweating, towel drying, or at least every two hours.
Active Ingredients: Not all sunscreens are created with the same ingredients, so we were careful to read through online reviews and draw from personal experiences to recommend ones that apply well to the skin. The criteria we considered for mineral sunscreens was to select exclusively zinc oxide or titanium dioxide-based products.
Reef Friendly: While all mineral sunscreens are known to be considered reef safe, we made sure to note if this accreditation appeared in the product description or directly on the bottle. If it was not mentioned, it doesn’t necessarily mean the sunscreen is not reef safe, but more investigation by the consumer is needed if this is important to you.
Customer Rating: We rely on customer reviews and ratings to determine the top-quality products that make the list. Our product specialists read through multiple online sources and carefully cross-reference what customers are saying to provide the best options of sunscreen on the market.
Our trusted Product Specialists recommend high-quality items that we think will enhance your experience with Canadian weather conditions. Prices and availability of items are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Thumbnail image courtesy Armin Rimoldi/Pexels
