Switch to clean sunscreen? A Dermatologist Shares Her Favorite Summer Picks

feel good, summer essentials while reading by the pool

First, a confession: For too long, I didn’t wear sunscreen. For a skincare enthusiastit’s almost sacrilege, I know. It turns out that not wearing sunscreen made the rest of my routine ineffective, especially since I had trouble getting hyperpigmentation. Now I can’t start my day without it. And neither should you.

Luckily, sunscreen just got a major name change. Clean sunscreen — which used to mean white streaks — is finally something you can look forward to adding to your summer skincare routine. Whether you’re opting for clean sunscreens or looking for a new favorite, this roundup of all the best clean sunscreens will point you in the right direction.

Featured image by Michelle Nash.

Camille Styles, the best sunscreens for the face.

In this article

Why choose a clean sunscreen?

Did you know that any type of tan is a sign of skin damage? Fortunately, self-tanner also got a facelift. But what about the skin under the tan?

Wearing sunscreen is your best defense against skin cancer and other types of skin damage. It also helps ward off fine lines, hyperpigmentation and sun damage by protecting you from UV rays and carcinogens, either physically or chemically.

SO how to find a good one? With more “clean” sunscreen options on the shelves, I spoke to Dr Michelle Henrya dermatologist in New York, for more clarity on what to look for in your sunscreens. These are the best clean sunscreens according to a dermatologist.

Michelle Henry, MD

Michelle Henry, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and Harvard-trained Mohs surgeon at Skin & Aesthetic Surgery in Manhattan.

What is clean sunscreen?

The main concern about non-clean sunscreens is that we still don’t know exactly what certain ingredients do or if they have harmful long-term side effects.

“Clean is not an FDA-regulated term,” Dr. Henry told me. “Typically, if a company markets itself as a clean sunscreen, it is one that does not contain oxybenzone or octinoxate.”

According to recent studiescertain ingredients often present in chemical sunscreens can be hormone disruptors or cause skin allergies. Many are also toxic to coral reefs and marine life.

Avoid ingredients such as:

Oxybenzone
Enzacamene
Padimate O
Octinoxate
Gay salad

Instead, clean sunscreens use zinc oxide, a broad-spectrum filter that protects skin from UVA rays, creating a physical blocker that literally provides a barrier between your skin and the sun, without nanoparticles or toxins.

What is the difference between chemical and mineral sunscreens?

According to Dr. Henry, “Chemical sunscreens are made from synthetic ingredients, while mineral sunscreens are made from natural ingredients such as zinc and titanium dioxide.”

Here is the breakdown:

Mineral sunscreens (sometimes called physical sunscreens) sit on the surface of your skin to reflect the sun and UV rays.
Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays and the sun’s rays.

How to choose between chemical and mineral sunscreens?

Both physical and chemical sunscreens can be effective and clean. But some might react differently to your skin. “Ask your dermatologist,” says Dr. Henry. “However, physical sunscreens tend to be a little better for sensitive skin.”

Benefits of chemical sunscreens

Less risk of white cast iron
Less likely to sweat or rub off
Takes about 20 minutes to start working

Benefits of mineral sunscreen

Start working immediately
Better for sensitive skin
Fewer sensitive ingredients

How to Choose the Best Clean Sunscreen

When shopping for sunscreen, consider how sunscreen fits into your daily routine. Do you put makeup on it? Is this the last step in your morning schedule?

Look for ingredients such as:

Moisturizing ingredients: Ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid
Antioxidant-rich oils: Squalane, jojoba oil, shea butter, vitamin E
Soothing ingredients: Niacinamide, aloe vera

And opt for at least SPF 30, says Dr. Henry.

“In conjunction with the American Academy of Dermatology, I recommend SPF 30 for daily use and SPF 50 if you’ll be out for more than an hour,” says Dr. Henry. “Remember to reapply every two hours.”

The Best Clean Mineral Sunscreens

When shopping for mineral sunscreens, opt for lightweight, natural ingredients that will carry the zinc oxide without being too heavy or leaving a film on your skin.

Products with hydrating factors like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or other moisturizers also help minimize the risk of a white cast appearing.

Freaks of Nature Maximum Performance SPF50

This non-nano, water-resistant (80 min) plant-based SPF 50 protects and strengthens your skin to fortify your microbiome.

$38 at Freaks of Nature

The Plum Screen

Combines antioxidant-rich Le Prunier plum beauty oil and UVA/UVB/HEV sun protection.

$80 at Le Prunier

MARA Mineral Sun Protection Serum SPF 30 PA+++

Seaweed and zinc combine in this SPF to form a hydrating serum while soothing botanicals reduce redness and strengthen skin against UV, blue light and pollution.

$52 at MARA Beauté

The Best Clean Chemical Sunscreens

When purchasing chemical sunscreens, it is important to make sure that the only chemicals they contain are those that block UV rays. Also look for soothing ingredients to prevent irritation.

Super goop! Glow Screen SPF 40

$38 at Supergoop!

EADEM Sunsuede Daily Sunscreen and Blur Base

This lightweight SPF balm protects with antioxidants, enzymes and UV filters, and features the invisible, blurred finish of a primer on every skin tone.

$32 at EADEM

Sofie Pavitt Screentime SPF 30

Packed with ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin E, this SPF soothes, protects and prevents acne.

$38 at Séphora

Best Clean Sunscreens for the Body

For your body, it’s important to choose a clean sunscreen that resists the elements as well as water and sweat. Bonus points if it gives you an all-over glow.

Bask Suncare non-aerosol spray

Bask sunscreens are clean, down to the technology, using non-aerosol, non-chemical propellants in their spray bottle. It also exists in SPF 30 and SPF 50.

$24 at Bask Suncare

GWS integral sun milk (SPF 50)

The milky sunscreen that all the cool girls wear – and it works on your face and body.

$54 at Good Weather Skin

Utu Moisturizing Body Sunscreen SPF30

Luxury moisturizer meets long-lasting sunscreen designed for everyday use, outdoor activities and prolonged sun exposure while nourishing your skin.

$68 at Violet Gray

Best Clean Tinted Sunscreens

Tinted sunscreens can be just as effective as their counterparts, says Dr. Henry. “You can trust the SPF rating of tinted sunscreens. Tinted sunscreens often contain iron oxide and this can also help protect against blue light.”