Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Cruelty-free
Fragrance-free
Essential oil-free
SPF 50
Lotion
Water resistant
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Best Non-Toxic Sunscreens
We vetted sunscreens against the Welpr Standard and here are our top picks.
Cofounder & Product Curator
Medical Reviewer, PhD
Here's what we look for:
- Mineral UV filters like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide
- Free from hormone disruptors like oxybenzone, avobenzone, and octinoxate
- No parabens, PEGs, phthalates, artificial dyes, or formaldehyde-releasing ingredients
- Fragrance-free or naturally scented (never synthetic “fragrance” or parfum)
- Full ingredient transparency from brands we trust
Best Non-Toxic Sunscreens
On Welpr, terms like "non-toxic," "safer," "cleaner," "healthier," and "vetted" are editorial labels based on our own standard for product assessment. They are not guarantees, certifications, or medical claims. Learn more.
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Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Hypoallergenic
Fragrance-free
No synthetic fragrance
SPF 50
Lotion
Water resistant
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Cruelty-free
Made in USA
Pregnancy safe
Hypoallergenic
Fragrance-free
Recycled materials
SPF 30
Cream
Water resistant
Discount Code
WELPRCertifications
Free From
Highlights
Made in USA
No synthetic fragrance
Money-back guarantee
SPF 30
Cream
Water resistant
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Made in USA
Fragrance-free
Recycled materials
SPF 30
Lotion
Water resistant
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Fragrance-free
SPF 30
Lotion
Water resistant
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
EU safety standards
Fragrance-free
0.25 year warranty
SPF 30
Cream
Water resistant
Discount Code
Use link for discountCertifications
Free From
Highlights
Cruelty-free
Pregnancy safe
Breastfeeding safe
Recyclable packaging
Money-back guarantee
SPF 25
Balm
Water resistant
Discount Code
Use link for discountCertifications
Free From
Highlights
Cruelty-free
Pregnancy safe
Breastfeeding safe
Fragrance-free
Recyclable packaging
Money-back guarantee
SPF 20
Stick
Water resistant
How to Swap to Non-Toxic sunscreens:
Here's how to swap to non-toxic sunscreens:
What to know about sunscreen
Sunscreen is applied directly to large areas of skin, often on your face, and reapplied throughout the day. That combination of frequent use, broad skin contact, and facial proximity makes the ingredients in your sunscreen worth paying attention to.
- Most sunscreens use either mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) that sit on top of skin, or chemical filters that absorb into skin — Welpr only approves mineral-based formulas.
- Beyond UV filters, Welpr also checks for synthetic fragrance, parabens, phthalates, artificial dyes, and other unnecessary additives.
Check your current sunscreen
Take a look at the sunscreens you use now, starting with your everyday face sunscreen or any formula you reapply often. Use the Welpr Personal Care and Cosmetic Scanner to snap a photo of the ingredient label and see what gets flagged.
- Look at the "Active Ingredients" section first — if you see oxybenzone, octinoxate, avobenzone, homosalate, or octocrylene, it's a chemical-filter sunscreen.
- Prioritize checking sunscreens used on kids or applied to the face, since these involve more sensitive skin and higher absorption potential.
Use your current sunscreen more wisely
Replacing sunscreen right away isn't always practical, and skipping sun protection is never a good trade-off. If you're still working through a chemical-filter sunscreen, a few small adjustments can help.
- Apply to dry, intact skin rather than freshly exfoliated or broken skin, which may absorb more.
- Use other sun protection like hats, UV clothing, and shade to reduce how much sunscreen you need to reapply throughout the day.
Choose a cleaner sunscreen
Look for sunscreens that use only zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as active ingredients. These mineral filters reflect UV rays from the skin's surface rather than being absorbed into it.
- Don't be fooled by labels that say "natural" or "reef-safe" — always flip the bottle and confirm the active ingredients are mineral-based with no synthetic fragrance, parabens, or artificial dyes in the inactive list.
- Click the button above to shop Welpr Approved sunscreen.
Camille May
Cofounder & Product Curator
Camille May is the co-creator of Welpr and a guide for clean living. After selling her last company in the health food space, she went non-toxic while working to heal an autoimmune condition....
Olushola M. Awoyemi
Medical Reviewer, PhD
Olushola M. Awoyemi (aka Shola) is a board-certified toxicologist and a research scientist with a PhD in Environmental Toxicology. Shola's long-term ambition is to be recognized as a world-renowned expert in toxicology,...