Sunscreen is an essential part of any summer skincare routine. It helps protect against dry skin, skin ageing, skin cancer, and UV rays that can be damaging for prolonged periods.
But, for conscious shoppers like us, it’s hard to find sunscreen brands that align with our values.
So many conventional brands are packed with unhealthy ingredients or tested on animals. After finding out that popular sunscreen brands like Nivea and Avene aren’t cruelty-free, I put this list together to help others find cruelty-free sunscreen that’s kind to skin and animals.
Check out the very best natural, cruelty-free sunscreens to help keep your skin healthy this summer.
If you’re looking to sooth your skin after a long day in the sun, make sure to lather on the cruelty-free moisturizer to replenish your skin.
- 1. Kinfield
- 2. Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen
- 3. Sonrei
- 4. Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense
- 5. Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer Mineral
- 6. Pacifica Mineral Sea and C Body Milk
- 7. Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen
- 8. MyChelle Dermaceuticals Sun Shield Liquid
- 9. Cocoon Apothecary Reflector Sunscreen
- 10. Le Prunier
- 11. AllGood Tinted Mineral Sunscreen
- 12. Juice Beauty Tinted Mineral Moisturizer
- 13. The Sunscreen Company
The Best Cruelty-Free Sunscreen to Protect Your Skin
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1. Kinfield
SPF: 30 & 35
Key benefits: Vegan, cruelty-free, Leaping Bunny certified, and formulated without Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates
Forget Parabens and synthetic fragrances and meet Kinfield, a clean, effective, and sustainable skincare line formulated with responsibly sourced ingredients.
Kinfield offers two types of cruelty-free sunscreen, both of which are Vegan and Leaping Bunny Certified. The daily dew sunscreen created with 100% mineral, broad-spectrum SPF 35, is water-resistant and won’t melt even on hot summer days.
Created using nourishing natural ingredients, including Seakelp, Aloe Vera, Jojoba oil and Rosemary extract, Kinfield protects your skin while giving a summer glow.
Unfortunately, this product only ships within the US.
2. Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen
SPF: 30, 40, and 50 options
Key benefits: Zinc free, fragrance free, reef-safe, cruelty-free, B Corp
If you’re looking for a clear sunscreen that isn’t full of chemincals, Babo Botanical have a great choice.
All of their products are based on natural, cruelty-free, eco-friendly ingredients designed to be safe for your skin, and the planet. The sun protection is delivered through 16% zinc oxide, an effective, non-chemical protection.
Babo Botanical are a Certified B Corp, too, so you can be sure they’re making efforts to make their entire business, supply chain, and impact more sustainable.
The clear sunscreen is gentle, easy to wash off, and rubs in more easily than most mineral based sunscreens.
3. Sonrei
SPF: 30 and 50
Key benefits: Mineral-based, contains antioxidants, fragrance-free
Sonrei have two products – an SPF 30, and an SPF 50 sunscreen. Both are translucent gels that leave no trace (apart from a slight matte finish).
Sonrei’s sunscreen is water and sweat resistant for up to 80 minutes (ideal for summer exercise sessions).
In terms of sustainability, we’re impressed. The sunscreen is vegan, GMO, and gluten-free. It only includes reef-friendly ingredients, and it’s free of alcohol, fragrance, and parabens. It also contains three powerful antioxidants in the form of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Ferulic Acid, to keep your skin healthy and protected.
Sonrei is also a partner of 1% For The Planet. Every year they give back 1% of their gross sales each year to environmental nonprofit partners.
4. Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense
SPF: 30
Key benefits: Mineral-based, contains antioxidants, fragrance-free
This Umbra Sheer sunscreen from Drunk Elephant is a mineral-based sunscreen ideal for all skin tones. As it’s a physical sunscreen it’s not packed with chemicals, instead, it essentially bounces the sun’s rays off your skin.
It’s full of antioxidants to nourish your skin, including grape juice, sunflower shoot extract, and astaxanthin.
The unique formula is designed for everyday use and it won’t leave any white marks or grease on your skin. It’s also free of fragrance, essential oils, and silicones to help ensure it’s suitable for sensitive skin.
5. Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer Mineral
SPF: 47
Key benefits: Chemical free, cruelty-free, paraben free, gluten free, synthetic fragrance free
This daily moisturizer from Josie Maran is ideal for everyday use.
It’s high SPF of 47 means you’ll be protected even in the height of summer, and considering we’re meant to wear sunscreen almost all year round, using a moisturizer with SPF inside will simplify your morning routine.
It doesn’t leave any residue on your face, and it’s a perfect way to combine protection and hydration without the typical irritation that many generic sunscreens come with.
The SPF 47 is powered by zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, as well as Josie Maran’s SunBoost ATB™—a blend of antioxidants and hydrators including ingredients like Pure Argan Oil, Jojoba Oil and Green Tea.
The brand recommends applying it 15 minutes before sun exposure, and reapplying at least every 2 hours if you’re outside in the sun.
6. Pacifica Mineral Sea and C Body Milk
SPF: 30
Key benefits: Water resistant, cruelty-free, made in the USA, free of parabens and phthalates
This lightweight body moisturizer has SPF 30 protection is ideal if you’re planning on going swimming, as it’s water resistant for up to 80 minutes.
Its non-greasy and doesn’t leave residue. There are ingredients like Vitamin C and Aloe and marine extracts to keep your skin healthy, as well as being free of harsh parabens, phthalates, SLS or mineral oils.
It’s made made in the USA, with globally sourced ingedients. The bottle is made from 100% recycled plastic, designed for you to recycle when you’re finished with it.
7. Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen
SPF: 30
Key benefits: Scentless, reef-friendly, non-greasy
This cruelty free sunscreen from Supergoop! is a great option. It’s disappears into your skin and doesn’t pill or interfere with makeup.
It’s filled with skin-friendly ingredients such as blue light neutralising red algae, and meadowfoam seed for hydration.
The SPF 30 will protect you against UVA, UVB, IRA rays, and it’s sweat and water-resistant.
8. MyChelle Dermaceuticals Sun Shield Liquid
SPF: 50
Key benefits: Cruelty-free, vegan, no artificial fragrances or colors
MyCheelle Dermaceuticals have a variety of sunscreen options that are cruelty-free.
This sun shield liquid is a non-tinted formula made with 100% zinc oxide. That means it’s mineral-based protection, rather than chemical, so it’s kinder to your skin.
MyCheelle Dermaceuticals have a variety of sunscreen options that are cruelty-free.
This sun shield liquid is a non-tinted formula made with 100% zinc oxide. That means it’s mineral-based protection, rather than chemical, so it’s kinder to your skin.
A word of warning: it’s tempting to use the dropper to drop lots out, but you don’t need much to cover your face and neck effectively.
9. Cocoon Apothecary Reflector Sunscreen
SPF: 30
Key benefits: Vegan, cruelty-free, created especially for skin prone to breakouts
If you suffer from acne breakouts and can’t find a facial sunscreen that offers protection without being too greasy for your skin, check out Cocoon Apothecary’s Reflector Sunscreen. It has SPF 30, is cruelty-free, vegan, and has been specifically designed not to clog the skin.
Cocoon Apothecary uses 100% plant-based ingredients and doesn’t use any dyes, Parabens, or Phthalates.
10. Le Prunier
SPF: 31
Key benefits: Vegan, cruelty-free, unique, made from Plums
Le Prunier is a vegan and cruelty-free brand creating bespoke skincare that utilizes plums’ antioxidant-rich properties. The brand takes their homegrown plums and turns them into luxury sunscreen and other effective skincare.
Le Prunier’s Plumscreen® is noncomedogenic, reef safe, and dermatologist reviewed. Le Prunier’s natural sunscreen offers SPF 31 UVA/UVB/HEV PA+++ protection.
11. AllGood Tinted Mineral Sunscreen
SPF: 30
Key benefits: Non-nano zinc oxide based, antioxidants, certified organic, made in the USA
AllGood’s mineral sunscreen range are all made with non-nano zinc oxide, which means they sit on top of your skin, rather than be absorbed by it.
It’s also a reef-friendly ingredient, so you can wear it in the sea without harming the ocean’s ecoystem.
It contains ingredientslike organic cocnut oil, jojoba oil, and shea butter to moisturize and nourish your skin. It’s gluten free, GMO free, and paraben free, too.
It’s water resistant for up to 80 minutes.
AllGood’s sunscreen does contain iron oxides, which may leave a stain on white fabrics (such as swimwear), so be careful as you’re applying.
12. Juice Beauty Tinted Mineral Moisturizer
SPF: 30
Key benefits: Certified Organic ingredients
This 4-in-1 multitasking cream blends zinc broad spectrum mineral sunscreen with ingredients like rich apple, grape and aloe botanical juices to help nourish your complexion.
It comes in sustainable packaging, and the tube is recyclable.
It’s certified as reef-friendly and cruelty-free.
Juice Beauty’s mineral moisturizers are a perfect go-to for your every day sun protection needs. It also comes in multiple colors so it’s easy to find one that matches your natural skin tone.
13. The Sunscreen Company
SPF: 30
Key benefits: EcoCert organic Zinc Oxide, mineral-based, free of disruptive chemicals
This everyday sunscreen from The Sunscreen Company is an amazing option if you’re looking for a daily sunscreen that provides protection and hydration.
It’s vegan, cruelty-free, fragrance-free and free from essential oils. They also avoid including any endocrine-disrupting chemicals or sulfates.
It’s more like a luxurious serum than a sunscreen with a creamy, airy lotion.
The Sunscreen Company test their products on all skin tones, and it’s designed to blend in perfectly no matter your skin tone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Neutrogena’s parent company is Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson is not a cruelty-free company. Neutrogena, specifically, say they do not test on animals, except in countries where animal testing for products is required by law. They don’t have any vegan or cruelty-free certifications. Overall, we’d recommend choosing an alternative brand if you want to support cruelty-free companies.
All Garnier products are Leaping Bunny Certified. This ensures that their entire supply chain has been audited to ensure there are no raw materials, ingredients, or processes, that harm animals.
Dove is globally accredited “Cruelty Free” by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).
No, because Nivea sells products in China, they may test products on animals when required by law.
Wrapping Up: Best Cruelty-Free Sunscreen For Healthy Skin
We hope you’ve enjoyed the article, and have found the perfect cruelty-free sunscreen to protect your skin this summer. Make sure you check out our other sustainable skincare guides including our favorite cruelty-free moisturizers and natural shampoos.
Make sure you’re summer ready with our guides on sustainable swimwear, beach towels, and sustainable sandals.
While you’re here make sure to check out our other cruelty-free and vegan posts including vegan sneakers, vegan hiking boots and more.
