Didn’t your mom tell you, “Don’t forget to wear sunscreen!”?! A valuable rule to live by, but one usually followed at a cost. Regular sunscreens wreak havoc on coral reefs, marine life, and sensitive aquatic ecosystems.
They also disrupt hormone function, vitamin absorption, and with 4,000–6,000 tons of the stuff ending up in the ocean each year, biodegradable sunscreen needs to become our go-to sun protection solution stat.
So to that end, we’ve tested, researched, and vetted a list of brands for you that not only prioritize reef safety but also formulations that are as healthy as they are effective.
To keep the reefs and our content fresh, we’re also going to be reviewing this article in the coming months in (sun)light of our new Brand Rating System. This expands our considerations to include a range of eco-related factors, like climate impact, biodiversity impacts, and low-waste packing. Read more about it here.
We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.
Our Fave Biodegradable Sunblock
We love using ATTITUDE’s SPF 30 mineral sunscreen which serves up serious ‘tude with its natural ingredients, broad-spectrum protection, and thoughtful packaging.
Stay safe FORAH whole day with a formula packed with powerful antioxidants, soothing oils, and collagen-boosting ingredients. Did we mention it has the best smell?
Index: Biodegradable Sunscreen
- Forah Jump to brand
- Activist Jump to brand
- ATTITUDE Jump to brand
- Butter Me Up Organics Jump to brand
- SurfDurt Jump to brand
- Palm & Pine Jump to brand
- All Good Jump to brand
Forah
FORAH’s Facial Sunscreen
We’ve tried a lot of different sunscreens and let’s just say we’re all for FORAH after trying it. Offering both a tinted sunscreen tin and a standard sunscreen cream in a recyclable aluminum tube, they give you all the sun protection you’re used to—with none of the waste.
The tinted Zinc Surf Balm contains a simple combination of non-nano zinc oxide, virgin coconut oil, cacao powder, and beewax.
The Everyday liquid sunscreen, on the other hand, contains a more complex formula specially designed to soothe and moisturize the skin. It includes organic cold-pressed golden jojoba oil, organic sea buckthorn oil, seaweed extract, and biodynamic avocado oil.
About FORAH
All of FORAH’s sunscreens are certified organic, cruelty-free, and non-GMO. None of the products contain gluten, harmful chemicals, parabens, synthetic fragrances, microplastics, phthalates, petrochemicals, or dyes, either. Because they’re based in Canada, there are more rigorous and quality practices when it comes to non-toxic skincare development.
My Personal Review of FORAH’s Sunscreen:
“Not only is the ingredient list refreshingly simple, but I found FORAH’s mineral-tinted sunscreen performed really well. I tested it out during a few hours of volleyball in hot sunshine, and it stayed put, despite all the sweat. Just remember to reapply! Even the best natural sunscreen won’t last indefinitely.
If tinted formulas aren’t your thing, check out their Everyday Mineral Sunscreen, which has an impressive mix of organic ingredients. I find it easier to apply, and the cheerful yellow aluminum tube is recyclable and totally gives off those summer vibes. Plus, the hint of organic sweet almond oil makes it smell amazing—I can’t get enough!”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Activist
Activist’s Sunscreen
Activist’s Avasol line of Zinc Mineral Sun Cream takes a stand against things like parabens, nanoparticles, GMOs, and other synthetic chemicals.
Because they come in a range of tints and contain nourishing ingredients like argan oil, jojoba oil, and coconut oil, they double as organic tinted moisturizers. If you’re not certain which shade is best suited to you, you can request samples like they sent to us to find your perfect match.
About Activist
The California-based brand is woman-owned, offering refillable, organic skincare. Many products come shipped in glass containers, compostable materials, or recyclable refill pouches. The shipping materials are low-impact, recyclable, and or compostable and created using post-consumer waste.
My Personal Review of Activist’s Mineral Sunscreen:
“This is one of my favorite water-resistant sunscreens because it’s tinted and gives way more coverage than your typical sunscreen. I’ve actually started using it as a foundation, which is perfect for those sunny days when you want to look your best—like at an outdoor wedding. It also works great on the body, providing around 80 minutes of UVA/UVB protection. The TSA-friendly pouch is perfect for travel, or you can just decant it into your own bottle.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
ATTITUDE
ATTITUDE’s Sunscreen
ATTITUDE gives normal sunscreens the side-eye by crafting high-quality mineral-based alternatives that contain non-nano zinc oxide, which protects against harmful UV rays, according to EWG experts. Other natural ingredients, like coconut oil, shea butter, and organic sunflower oil, help keep the skin moisturized in dehydrating summer conditions.
ATTITUDE’s hypoallergenic sunscreens are suitable for all skin types, including options for damaged, oil, and sensitive skin. Skin irritation aside, they’re also free of PEGs, parabens, endocrine disruptors, oxybenzone, or other coral bleaching agents.
They’re not 100% natural products, as there are a few synthetic compounds, but all the reef safe compounds are verified by EWG Skin Deep.
Some of the brand’s products come in plastic tubes, but most of the zero waste sunscreen catalog is packaged neatly in stylish compostable cardboard tubes.
About ATTITUDE
The Canada-based brand has a wide range of products for your bath, beauty, home care, and mom or baby needs.
As part of PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies program, ATTITUDE doesn’t test any products on animals and is completely vegan. Although some products contain palm oil, ATTITUDE opts for RSPO-certified Mass Balance sustainable palm oil.
Their products are manufactured from a responsible factory, they don’t support conflict mineral sourcing, and for every item you buy, they will plant a tree through organizations like One Tree Planted and Eden Reforestation.
My Personal Review of ATTITUDE’s Sunly Biodegradable Sunscreen Sticks:
“If you have sensitive skin like I do, ATTITUDE’s Sunly sunscreen sticks are a game changer. They’re mineral-based, super gentle, and they don’t leave that white cast or greasy feeling. This is especially important for me since I’m picky about textures, and greasy products really bug me. I can apply this with the stick, rub it in, and I don’t have that annoying “I need to wash my hands” feeling right after. It goes on smoothly, gives great coverage, and actually works. I have fair skin, so I reapply every couple of hours and find that works perfectly.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Butter Me Up Organics
Butter Me Up Organics’ Sunscreen
Butter Me Up Organics stands by the belief that sunscreen doesn’t need harmful chemicals to be effective. Instead, they developed some of the best reef safe sunscreens that are entirely plastic-free and suited for babies, kids, and adults.
Ingredients include coconut oil, shea butter, mango butter, non-nano zinc oxide, grapeseed oil, vitamin E, and beeswax (though there’s an option without, too). The mineral formula is almost 100% certified organic, minus the non-GMO rapeseed oil and zinc oxide.
Butter Me Up offers reusable glass containers or compostable cardboard tubes for packaging. One option includes a recyclable plastic BPA-free tube, but we prefer the other options for obvious reasons.
About Butter Me Up Organics
Butter Me Up Organics is a unique shop that combines traditional holistic healing techniques with modern sustainable skincare necessities, all without any animal testing and most without palm oil.
Most of their products come in low-waste packaging, such as glass, tin, or compostable cardboard.
My Personal Review of Butter Me Up Organics’ Sunscreen:
“I’ve tested both the tube and glass jar of their Organic Sunscreen. Both are completely unscented and go on light and smooth, with no real texture differences between the cream and stick. I keep the cream at home to apply before going out and the tube with me for replication. I love that both only contain six simple ingredients, but I will say the stick’s formula does feel a little bit greasier than I typically like my sunscreen to feel. It’s great for adding moisturizing power, but does leave that greasy residue almost all day.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
SurfDurt
SurfDurt’s Sunscreen
Hitting the beaches of Cancún to catch some waves?
SurfDurt makes “extreme adventure sunscreen” with surfers in mind. Whether it’s Mexico, Costa Rica, or California, their formula is designed to last, prioritizing ingredients like beeswax for an effective SPF 30 solution lasting 80 minutes in the water.
This means the lotion isn’t vegan, but the beeswax is sustainably sourced from West Africa, vetted by a third-party agency, Koster Keunen.
Many of the organic ingredients are certified, including cocoa butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, carrot seed oil, and raspberry seed oil.
The ultra-portable Original Sunscreen and other formulas are shipped in aluminum-lined reusable bamboo tins produced in the United States using 100% solar-powered equipment. The aluminum inner lining can be split away from the bamboo and recycled, while the bamboo can be composted.
About SurfDurt
Two California girls and their chemist father from Hawaii are the Original DurtHeads behind the sunscreen brand. All three of them have a love for warm days by the beach, so they set out to create an ethical, biodegradable sunscreen formula.
SurfDurt uses “the most ethical sources possible” for their beeswax and ingredients that are free from palm oil, conflict, and animal testing. They give back to numerous non-profit organizations helping the world’s coral reefs, like Coral Gardeners, while others support Trees for the Future and Water for People.
Palm & Pine
Palm & Pine’s SPF 50 Sunscreen
Palm & Pine will help you watch the palm trees sway by the poolside without forgetting sun protection. Their sunscreen is available in liquid or solid plastic-free bars, both sold in entirely recyclable aluminum materials.
The liquid sunscreen is SPF 30, designed to protect against broad-spectrum UV rays (A and B), without any harmful ingredients. Instead, it includes shea butter, echinacea, calendula, and lemon balm.
The solid container comes with an additional SPF 50, but both formulas include zinc oxide, avocado and jojoba oil, iron oxide for color, and vegan sunflower wax for water resistance.
Neither formulas contain harmful chemicals that damage coral reefs, like oxybenzone and octinoxate. Instead, the paraben-free sunscreen is perfect for everyday use, suited for normal, oily skin, and sensitive skin types.
About Palm & Pine
Palm & Pine creators Ross and Sarah sought to design an effective sunscreen after moving to western Portugal. They named their company Palm & Pine after some of their favorite activities, surfing, snowboarding, sunshine, and hiking.
The founders needed a high-quality product for all this time outside, so they designed a vegan and 100% natural formula. None of the products contain harsh chemicals, UV filters, palm oil, or synthetic fragrances.
My Personal Review of Palm & Pine’s Sunscreen SPF 50:
“If you need a sunscreen that can handle a serious day out in the sun, I can highly recommend Palm & Pine’s SPF 50. The formula’s super thick, and the tint helps hide the mineral content, so there is no ghostly white cast. Just keep in mind there’s only one shade, so it might not match your skin perfectly (it’s a bit too dark for me, but not that noticeable). The pocket-sized tin is perfect for tossing in my bag, and it’s totally leak-proof—great for taking it with me wherever I go!”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
All Good
All Good’s Sunscreen
All Good’s catalog of regular and tinted biodegradable suntan lotion is suitable for sensitive skin types.
The SPF 50 Zinc Sun Butter offers broad-spectrum protection from UV rays for upwards of 80 minutes. The formula doesn’t contribute to coral bleaching, instead using only six certified marine ecosystem-safe ingredients. The sunblock isn’t vegan, but the beeswax comes from a Certified B Corp that ensures its bees have the best conditions.
Some products are packaged in plastic tubes, pump-action bottles, or aerosol containers, but we suggest choosing their tin packaging. Not only does it reduce waste, it’s easier to carry around.
About All Good
Woman-owned All Good’s journey began back in 1997 when the owner, Caroline, created the very first product. Now their product range has grown to include more healing formulas, natural lip balms, deodorants, and lotions.
The Certified B Corp is Leaping Bunny and PETA-certified, and products are Oregon Tilth Certified Organic. All Good is also Green America-approved and a member of Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
All Good doesn’t use any ingredients containing GMOs, only works with fair trade suppliers, and does its best to minimize excess waste by incorporating recycled and recyclable materials whenever possible.
My Personal Review of All Good’s Sunscreen:
“Whenever I need a super-portable sunscreen, All Good is my go-to. The plastic sticks and palm-sized tins fit easily into even the smallest pockets, making them ideal for stashing in a small handbag or taking on a hike when I want to keep weight to an absolute minimum. Although I don’t love the plastic packaging, the stick’s convenience is a real advantage. However, as I know recycling isn’t an option, I reserve it for situations where portability is a must, helping it last longer.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Why Choose Biodegradable Sunscreen?
Non-biodegradable sunscreens are abundant on drugstore shelves and contain harsh chemicals, like methylisothiazolinone, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, paraffinum liquidum, and more sci-fi sounding fillers. Many of these chemicals prevent the body from absorbing vitamin D and disrupt natural hormones and endocrine systems, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
But what is biodegradable sunscreen and how do you know identify them?
It starts with being free of these harmful compounds, some of which are:
- PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid)
- Octinoxate
- Avobenzone (a key active ingredients in conventional sunscreen)
- Oxybenzone
- 4-methyl benzylidene
- Camphor
- Butylparaben
Biodegradable alternatives don’t contain these ingredients, as they can devastate marine life and sensitive ecosystems. The National Ocean Service states many of these ingredients can build up in coral, inhibit algae growth, damage reproduction in fish and sea urchins, and more.
In response to this environmental disaster, some areas have made it a legal requirement that beach-goers only use reef safe sunscreen, Hawaii and the Virgin Islands included.
