08/29/2026
I took some time recently to do a deep dive into sunscreen.🧴
These are my top three take aways and recommendations.
⭐️ Mineral sunscreen is best for both us and the oceans.
⭐️ Non-nano zinc oxide sunscreen is best because it uses mineral particles larger than 100 nanometers that sit on top of the skin rather than absorbing into the body.
⭐️ Coconut oil, raspberry oil, carrot seed oil, soya bean oil, avocado oil, wheat germ oil all have natural spf!
These are my top 3 picks for sunscreens. #3 is the best in my opinion — so obviously I picked some up. What a dream it is! So smooth and clean. No cast, light/fresh scent, feels like a high quality moisturizer going on.
1. All Good Mineral Sunscreen 30 spf, there is one ingredient that isn’t awesome.
Website: https://allgoodbodycare.com/products/spf-30-sport-mineral-sunscreen-lotion-3-oz
ACTIVE INGREDIENT: Zinc Oxide 16% (Non-nanoparticle) ✔️
INACTIVE INGREDIENTS:
✔️ Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice
✔️ Arachidyl Alcohol, a waxy, 20-carbon straight-chain fatty alcohol. It is widely used in cosmetics and skin care as a non-drying emollient, thickening agent, and emulsion stabilizer to soften skin and keep oil and water from separating, low risk of irritation, sensitization, or toxicity
✔️ Arachidyl Glucoside, plant-derived emulsifying agent and mild surfactant made by combining glucose with arachidyl alcohol. It helps mix oil and water in lotions and creams, giving products a light, non-greasy feel. Safety reviews find it safe and non-irritating for skin
✔️ Behenyl Alcohol, carbon saturated fatty alcohol derived from vegetable oil, has antiviral properties
✔️ Bisabolol, natural oily alcohol derived mainly from German chamomile and the candeia tree. It is widely used in skincare and cosmetics to soothe irritation, calm redness, fights bacteria
⚠️ Butyloctyl Salicylate, acts as an emollient and solvent that helps reduce the heavy or whitening effects of mineral filters like zinc oxide, low to moderate endocrine disrupter, low to moderate irritant to skin, eyes and lungs
✔️ Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)
✔️ Calendula Officinalis (Calendula Flower)
✔️ Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract
✔️ Caprylhydroxamic Acid, gentle organic acid used as a preservative and chelating agent in skin creams, lotions, shampoos, and makeup, low toxicity
✔️ Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, bio-based polymer derived from plants like coconut and castor oil. It is widely used in cosmetics as a safe, natural alternative to silicones, helping to condition skin and hair, lock in moisture, and improve product texture. made from vegetable glycerin, coconut fatty acids and castor oil
✔️ Caprylyl Glycol, a common alcohol-based additive derived from caprylic acid (found in coconut and palm oils) or made in labs. It acts as a moisturizer, texture enhancer, and gentle antimicrobial agent, helps stop bacteria/fungi from growing so last longer, low toxicity
✔️ Cellulose Gum, water-soluble plant derivative used widely as a thickener, stabilizer, and binder in foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. It is produced by modifying plant fiber from wood pulp or cotton
✔️ Cetearyl Alcohol, mixture of cetyl and stearyl alcohols that can come from vegetable or synthetic sources, low toxicity
✔️ Cetyl Alcohol, Originally found in whale oil, modern versions are derived from plant oils like coconut or palm oil, or made synthetically, emollient to lock in hydration, smooth rough patches, and give lotions a rich, velvety texture, low toxicity
✔️ Citric Acid, high concentrations exist in lemons, limes and oranges, Balances pH levels in skin creams
✔️ Coco-Glucoside, made from renewable plant sources, breaks down naturally in nature, thickening effects
✔️ Cocos Nucifera Coconut Oil
✔️ Diheptyl Succinate, lightweight, bio-based emollient derived from natural sources like castor oil and used in cosmetics as a biodegradable, eco-friendly alternative to silicones, low toxicity
✔️Glycerin, a clear, odorless, sweet-tasting, syrupy liquid derived from vegetable oils or animal fats
✔️ Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
✔️Mauritia Flexuosa (Buriti) Fruit Oil
✔️ Microcrystalline Cellulose, refined, plant-based wood pulp used as an inert filler, binder, and stabilizer in foods, drugs, and cosmetics, safe, odorless white powder that helps form solid
✔️ Olea E. Olive Fruit Oil
✔️ Polyhydroxystearic Acid, plant-derived, waxy polymer made from castor oil. It is widely used in mineral sunscreens and cosmetics as a dispersing agent to stop zinc oxide or titanium dioxide from clumping, which improves SPF performance, reduces white cast, and stabilizes lotions
✔️ Rosa Canina (Rose Hip) Seed Extract
✔️ Rubus I. Raspberry Seed Oil
✔️ Sodium Gluconate, water-soluble white powder made by fermenting glucose, non-toxic, non-corrosive, and fully biodegradable
✔️ Sodium Hyaluronate, water-soluble ingredient widely used in skincare, eye drops, and medical treatments. Because it has a smaller molecular size than pure hyaluronic acid, it absorbs more easily and penetrates deeper into the skin layers to provide intense hydration
✔️ Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, plant-derived amino acid compound used in skin and hair care products as an emulsifier and mild cleanse
✔️ Theo. Cacao Seed Butter
✔️ Tocopherol, organic compound used to hydrate skin, reduce UV damage, and stabilize other active ingredients
✔️ Water
2. Thinkdaily tinted face zinc oxide sunscreen 30 spf. There’s one ingredient I’d like to see it without.
Website: https://thinksun.ca/collections/suncare/products/think-spf-30-everyday-face-2-oz-can
Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide (Non-Nano) Oxyde de zinc 20% ✔️
Inactive ingredients:
✔️ PURIFIED WATER
✔️ CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, a clear, lightweight liquid made from coconut oil and glycerin. It acts as a gentle, safe skin moisturizer, antioxidant, and texture enhancer in cosmetics and lotions. It locks in water without clogging pores
✔️ POLYGLYCERYL-4 ISOSTEARATE, plant-derived chemical compound used in cosmetics as an emulsifier and skin softener to help mix oil and water, non toxic
✔️ GLYCERIN
✔️ HYDROGENATED GLYCERYL ABIETATE, waxy resin ester made from glycerol and hydrogenated abietic acid (derived from pine tree rosin). It functions in personal care items as a film-former and emulsion stabilizer to lock in moisture, thicken formulas, and improve water resistance in sunscreens
✔️ HEXYL LAURATE, light, oily fatty acid ester made from hexyl alcohol and lauric acid. It is widely used in cosmetics as a skin-conditioning emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer to give lotions/sunscreens a smooth, non-greasy feel, non-toxic
✔️ CETYL DIMETHICONE, modified silicone polymer used in cosmetics and skincare as an emollient, skin-conditioning agent, and moisture barrier. It gives lotions, sunscreens, and makeup a smooth, velvety feel and helps improve water resistance, SPF enhancement, non-toxic
⚠️ SORBITAN SESQUIOLEATE, waxy, oil-loving chemical compound used as an emulsifier and stabilizer in cosmetics, topical medicines/sunscreens, safe in small amounts — can cause skin irritation or allergic contact dermatitis
✔️ MAGNESIUM SULFATE, commonly known Epsom salt
✔️ TOCOPHEROL
✔️ SODIUM HYALURONATE
✔️ HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL
✔️ SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL
✔️ OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) FRUIT OIL
✔️ CITRUS PARADISI (GRAPEFRUIT) PEEL OIL
✔️ ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE
✔️ HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL
✔️ TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, synthetic, silicone-based compound used in cosmetics. It acts as a binder and surface modifier to coat pigments, helping makeup and sunscreens spread evenly, resist water, and last longer on the skin, low hazard concern
✔️ CAPRYLHYDROXAMIC ACID, gentle organic acid used as a preservative and chelating agent in skin creams, lotions, Gentle on skin: Often used as a milder option instead of harsh parabens
✔️ GLYCERYL CAPRYLATE, natural, plant-derived ingredient made from glycerin and caprylic acid (found in coconut and palm oils). It acts as a mild emollient, moisturizer, co-emulsifier, and preservative
✔️ NATURAL FRAGRANCE OIL
3. TANIT Moisturizing Mineral Sunscreen 30 SPF #1 PICK Made in Canada ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Website: https://www.tanit.co/collections/shop-all/products/daily-spf-on-the-go-spf-duo?variant=48630106423521
Medicinal ingredient: Zinc Oxide 12% ✔️
Other ingredients:
✔️ Sweet Almond Oil
✔️ Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil
✔️ Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
✔️ Argan Oil Aminopropanediol Esters
✔️ Benzyl Alcohol, colorless liquid with a mild pleasant aromatic odor. It is useful as a solvent for its polarity, low toxicity
✔️ Cetearyl Olivate, natural, plant-based waxy ester made by combining cetearyl alcohol with fatty acids derived fr olive oil
✔️ Glycerin
✔️ Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil
✔️ Potassium Sorbate, chemical additive used widely as a preservative. It stops mold, yeast, and fungi from growing in foods, drinks, and personal care items, considered safe
✔️ Sorbitan, mixture of ring-containing organic compounds made by removing water from sorbitol, safe for consumption and topical application
I hope you find this info helpful 🙂
