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In this post I’m sharing the natural sunscreen I’ve chosen for my family this year. We’re a family of four with a 7 month old baby and a 3 year old. Naturally, I take us all into consideration when choosing sun protection.
My favourite natural sunscreen for families are those that can be used for both adults and children. Packing just one tube saves valuable space in my bag, and a gentle mineral sunscreen works just fine for grown ups too! Peace of mind I’m using the gentlest sun protection there is.
This is the first year I’ve not bought SPF 50. We’re not holidaying this year, and there’s not much more protection in SPF 50 over SPF 30. I was interested to learn that SPF 15 blocks 93 percent of UVB rays, SPF 30, 97 percent, and SPF 50+, 98 percent (source).
NHS recommendations are to use minimum SPF 30, which seems completely reasonable to me.
What is a natural sunscreen?
As you probably well know, there is no governance over the word natural. So what is a natural sunscreen?
There are two types of sunscreen active ingredient. Mineral filters – titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, and synthetic filters like oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, and octinoxate. Some sunscreens use a combination of the two different types of filter.
I consider mineral sunscreens to be the most natural. Mineral sunscreens don’t need to use water, alcohol, or preservatives since they’re just a mineral powder mixed with oil and/or wax. A sunscreen gets bonus points if it contains nourishing botanicals to soothe and protect, like calendula or chamomile.
You can use mineral sunscreen on a baby younger than 6 months, but it goes without saying that it’s best to avoid sun exposure completely. If you’re going to use sun protection on your baby, then the least irritating are zinc oxide based. All these recommendations are zinc oxide based.
So let’s take a look what I’m loving this year.
Natural sunscreen for families
Ayan Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 35
This is my go-to sunscreen for myself, my husband, and my children. It’s a really great sunscreen for families as it can be used by everybody! Ayan Mineral Sunscreen Lotion gives protection via non-nano zinc oxide. It’s SPF 35 and offers both UVA and UVB protection. With its water and sweat resistance, it’s a good choice for active families.
It contains sunflower seed oil, which is rich in antioxidant vitamin E to enhance UV protection, shea butter to nourish, cacao seed butter to prevent dark spots, and water-resistant beeswax.
I like the easy to use pump dispenser that won’t open up in my bag. It smells absolutely gorgeous, with its natural coconut fragrance. Like many natural sunscreens, it takes a little while to sink in, and leaves a bit of a white cast.
My little ones have been using this for a couple of months. The protection has been great so far, and the price is quite reasonable.
Ayan Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 35
Alteya Certified Organic Sunscreen Kids & Baby SPF 30
This NaTrue certified SPF 30 UVA and UVB sunscreen is formulated for babies and children, but it’s suitable for the whole family. It has a sheer tint that masks the white cast look that comes with many zinc oxide mineral sunscreens. This makes it great for using on the face. It’s water resistant for up to 40 minutes.
The sunscreen aims to nourish skin with a blend of soothing and healing oils including sea buckthorn, jojoba, lavender, and calendula. It smells absolutely gorgeous with its fruity rose fragrance. I’ve been using this more than my children do! It’s working really well on my face over the top of my usual skincare on days when I feel my SPF 15 isn’t enough.
A word of caution, though – as it’s tinted, it may stain if you get it on clothing.
Alteya Certified Organic Sunscreen Kids & Baby SPF 30
Antipodes Immortal Face & Body Moisturiser SPF 15
I’m a big Antipodes skincare fan and I really love this SPF 15 moisturiser with its carefully chosen ingredients. There’s antioxidant-packed Vinanza grape, and kiwi extract to decrease facial flushing and the melanin production that causes freckling. Reishi mushroom supports healthy cell growth.
I use this for everyday protection and love that it contains hyaluronic acid too, to prevent trans-epidermal water loss. Another plus point is how light it is. It’s not at all greasy so I can wear it with the richest of moisturisers and just swipe a layer over the top for peace of mind. It does leave a slight white cast, but it’s hardly noticeable.
Antipodes Immortal Face & Body Moisturiser SPF 15
Organii After Sun Cream
We bought this last year too – it’s one of my favourite after-sun products for our whole family. It soothes and hydrates skin after sun exposure with wonderful shea butter, aloe vera, and calendula.
We all love its gorgeous vanilla scent and the cooling feeling after application, which lasts for some time. The handy travel size is great to stash in my changing bag but it also comes in a larger tube.
Organii After Sun Cream
Final thoughts on natural sunscreen for families
I hope you’ve enjoyed taking a look at the natural sunscreen for families I recommend. All the products protect precious skin, giving peace of mind I’m using the gentlest sunscreen available – and no need for separate adult and baby sun creams.
What are your favourite natural sunscreens? Let me know in the comments!
I have a small obsession with natural sunscreen! So I am so happy to learn about these brands: I didn’t know a single one! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much Kari, glad it was helpful!
This is so nice, I’ll have to take a look at the Antipodes one
Love Antipodes! So many good products.
It’s nice that there are so many natural sunscreen brands on the market now. I haven’t tried any of these, but will definitely check them out!
Hope you find one you like!
This is such a wonderful resource! I hate using harsh creams on my toddler. A natural sunscreen is such a better alternative.
Yes! It’s worth looking up the differences between different sunscreens for kids. Some use chemical blockers which are worse for sensitive skin and the environment.
You know prior to reading this, I hadn’t really realized there were so many natural sunscreen products in the market. I’ve never heard of any of these brands, so it’s good to have your honest review. I’m most interested in the Organii, I’ll have to check it out.
Organii is a lovely brand to start with!
I was just searching for one this morning! Thanks for this!!
Oh that’s handy!
I wonder if anyone has tried using the Madara sunscreen? I have, and amazingly got quite disappointed with it (which is very unusual for a Madara product).
Not tried the Madara sunscreens before. Sorry you didn’t like it! I’ll have to try them some time.