Toxic Sunscreen Ingredients & Best Low-Tox Swaps for Summer

We’ve all been told that sunscreen is essential to taking care of our skin, especially during the summer months. And for good reason: protecting your skin from UV damage is smart, necessary, and an act of long-term self-care. But what if some sunscreens do more harm than good?

That was the question I started asking as I became more ingredient-aware. Today, I’m sharing a breakdown of toxic sunscreen ingredients, explaining what they do in the body, how they may impact your health in the long term, and how to choose safer sun protection when needed. Because yes, sunburns are damaging—but so is slathering on a chemical cocktail without knowing what you’re absorbing.

Toxic Sunscreen Ingredients

Popular sunscreens have been flagged for their potential impact on human health. In fact, multiple studies (including one published by the Food and Drug Administration) show that several common active ingredients in chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the bloodstream at levels that warrant further testing. These include ingredients like oxybenzone, avobenzone, octocrylene, and homosalate, which are found in 45% of sunscreens found on store shelves.

These aren’t just sitting on top of your skin—they’re going deep. Some are endocrine disruptors, meaning they mess with your hormone function, and have been found transferred into breast milk, urine, and blood plasma. That matters—a lot.

Is Sunscreen Toxic?

It’s time to peel back the label. Sunscreen itself isn’t toxic. But some of the ingredients in it? Worth a second look.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the FDA currently allows 16 active sunscreen ingredients—but only two are officially classified as "safe and effective" (GRAS):

Zinc Oxide & Titanium Dioxide

These are mineral-based (a.k.a. physical) blockers that sit on top of the skin and reflect UV rays instead of being absorbed. They’re ideal for sensitive skin, developing bodies, and parents who read labels.

What Are The Toxic Ingredients In Sunscreen?

Oxybenzone

Purpose: UVB and UVA filter

Concerns: Hormone disruption, allergic reactions, possible impact on fetal development.

Found in breast milk and urine.

Status: Not classified as safe and effective by the FDA

Avobenzone

Purpose: UVA filter

Concerns: Unstable in sunlight unless mixed with other chemicals. Linked to irritation and oxidative stress.

Octocrylene

Purpose: UVB absorber and avobenzone stabilizer

Concerns: Often contaminated with benzophenone, a possible carcinogen. Accumulates in the body and environment.

Homosalate

Purpose: UVB absorber

Concerns: Disrupts estrogen, androgen, and progesterone signaling in lab studies.

Octinoxate

Purpose: UVB filter

Concerns: Hormone disruptor, common allergen, and toxic to coral reefs.

What Ingredients To Look For In Sunscreen

Now for the good stuff! Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide offer broad-spectrum protection without being absorbed into the bloodstream.

Zinc Oxide

Type: Mineral blocker (physical sunscreen)

Benefits: Covers UVA and UVB, doesn’t irritate sensitive skin

EWG Rating: 1–2 (low hazard)

Titanium Dioxide

Type: Mineral UVB blocker

Benefits: Pairs well with zinc for full spectrum protection, low allergy risk

EWG Rating: 1–3 (depending on formula)

What Is The Best Non Toxic Sunscreen?

These are Nontoxxish-approved picks for 2025: Low on the EWG hazard scale, high on burn protection, and made with ingredients that support skin, not cause systemic disruption. Listed from lightest, most makeup-friendly to thicker, water-resistant formulas:

Primally Pure Natural Sunscreen SPF 30

Editor’s Pick

Key Ingredients: Non-nano zinc oxide, tallow, jojoba oil, shea butter

Pros: Nutrient dense, synthetic fragrance-free, chemical-free, fast-absorbing

Cons: Tallow-based (if you are only looking for vegan options) and a higher price point

EWG Rating: 1

Supergoop! Zincscreen 100% Mineral Lotion SPF 40

Editor’s Pick

Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, blueberry extract, winter cherry

Pros: Lightweight and sheer, wears beautifully under makeup, easy to apply on kids

Cons: Higher price point

EWG Rating: 1–2

Mad Hippie Daily Protective Serum SPF 30

Editor’s Pick

Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, red raspberry seed oil, vitamin C & E

Pros: Antioxidant-rich, dewy finish, perfect for everyday wear

Cons: Lower SPF, not water-resistant

EWG Rating: 1

Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc SPF 30

Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, calendula, chamomile

Pros: Soothing botanicals, pediatrician approved

Cons: Slightly sticky on humid days

EWG Rating: 1

Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide

Pros: Dermatologist recommended, rubs in better than most mineral SPFs

Cons: Slight residue on darker skin

EWG Rating: 2

Goddess Garden Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, aloe vera, coconut oil

Pros: Easy to apply, family-friendly

Cons: Slightly oily finish on the face

EWG Rating: 2

ATTITUDE Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

Key Ingredients: Non-nano zinc oxide, coconut oil, shea butter

Pros: Vegan, fragrance-free, family-safe

Cons: Can feel heavy on oily/acne-prone skin

EWG Rating: 1

Thinksport Kids Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+

Key Ingredients: Non-nano zinc oxide, sunflower seed oil, vitamin E

Pros: High SPF, water-resistant (80 min), toddler-safe

Cons: Thick texture takes time to rub in

EWG Rating: 1

Sky & Sol Face & Body Sunscreen SPF 30 & 50

Key Ingredients: Grass-fed tallow, jojoba oil, beeswax, lecithin, vitamin E, non-nano zinc oxide (25%)

Pros: Food-grade, handmade, no synthetic ingredients

Cons: Thick balm texture, not vegan

EWG Rating: 1

Soleo Organics Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

Key Ingredients: All-natural zinc oxide, botanical extracts, beeswax

Pros: Hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, safe for the whole family

Cons: Slightly oily feel, can be harder to find

EWG Rating: 1

How to Get the Benefits of the Sun Without the Burn

This is where I align with wellness thinkers like Darin Olien in that the sun is not the enemy. If you're not already familiar with his work, he promotes functional foods, toxin-free living, and ancestral health practices, often blending science with natural remedies in an approachable, California-cool kind of way.

Our bodies need sunlight to:

Produce vitamin D (supports mood, immunity, and bone health)

Trigger nitric oxide (helps lower blood pressure)

Regulate hormones and circadian rhythm

Here’s how we use the sun wisely:

For small amounts of sun exposure, ditch the sunscreen altogether. Use care not to burn.

Use hats, shade, and UPF clothing as your first defense

Opt for mineral sunscreen when needed, especially midday

Conscious Sun Care Can Be Easy

You don’t have to fear the sun—or sunscreen. But you do deserve to know what you’re putting on your skin and your kids’ skin. And remember, the sun is vital for our health. Try to spend at least 15 minutes in the sun each day.

Choose products that support your health, your hormones, and your lifestyle. Check EWG’s Skin Deep Database when in doubt, and trust your gut when something doesn’t feel right.

Protecting your family from sunburn shouldn’t mean compromising their long-term health. With a little awareness and the right bottle, you can do both.

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