Safe sunscreens should protect your skin from sun damage that can lead to serious complications or—at worst—cancer, but also be free of certain “questionable” compounds like parabens, PABA or retinyl palmitatae. Here are several natural sunscreen products that are guaranteed to be safe for your skin.

  • Badger Sunscreen for Face and Body is a 100% natural sunscreen with FDA-certified ingredients. It features a true protection against UVA and UVB waves and uses zinc and titanium oxides to deflect the sun rays instead of absorbing them like other synthetic products do.
  • Vanicream comes in SPF 60 (one of the highest degrees of protection on today’s natural sunscreen market) and protects your skin against harmful UV’s using titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. It is considered one of the best choices for people with sensitive skins.
  • Loving Naturals Organic Sunscreen is a few dollars more expensive than similar natural sunscreen products but like so many other things in life, you get what you pay for. It also is certified to be organic, vegan and made of 100% natural ingredients.

A natural sunscreen product should be used together with some common-sense rules—don’t solely rely on it and spend the whole day out at the beach. Stay out of the sun during peak hours (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), wear sun-protective clothing, try not to dress in dark colors and keep yourself hydrated. And remember, natural sunscreen lotions may be a bit costlier than synthetic ones, but they are great for your skin and also environmentally friendly. Both the planet and your body will be thanking you for years to come.