Best Non-Toxic Sunscreen Swaps: Safe for Our Health, Skin, & Oceans

With summer just around the corner here in New Zealand, going without sunscreen is simply not an option, especially with the harsh sun we get in both New Zealand and Australia! As someone with sensitive skin, I’ve spent time researching the best (and worst) sunscreens that are safe for our health, our skin, and the environment.

It’s crucial to be mindful of the sunscreen we choose. Sunscreen should protect us from the sun, but it shouldn’t harm our health or the planet. Sadly, many sunscreens are packed with harsh chemicals that can irritate our skin, pose health risks, and pollute our oceans.

A huge thank you to Amelia from @a.glimpse.of.amelia for helping me create our original sunscreen post on Instagram and ranking all the sunscreen brands. If you missed it, be sure to check out our updated sunscreen swaps post and give Amelia a follow if you love this kind of content!

The following list of chemicals is backed by research from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and other trusted organisations focused on protecting both our health and the planet. Keep an eye out for these harmful chemicals in your sunscreens and other skincare products;

CHEMICALS TO AVOID WHEN BUYING SUNCREEN

OXYBENZONE

Oxybenzone is a common sunscreen ingredient, but it's linked to serious short- and long-term health risks. As an endocrine disruptor, it can interfere with hormone production, affecting metabolism, growth, thyroid function, and reproductive health. Research suggests it can lower sperm quality and contribute to fertility issues. The worst part? It doesn't just stay on your skin—it’s been found in blood, urine, and even breast milk. Oxybenzone is also toxic to marine life, and some places, like Hawaii, have banned sunscreens containing it due to its harmful effects on coral reefs.

OCTINOXATE / OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE

Octinoxate is another hormone-disrupting chemical known to mimic estrogen. Some studies show it can harm reproductive systems and thyroid function, with particular risks for pregnant or breastfeeding women and young children, whose systems are still developing.

HOMOSALATE

Homosalate is another endocrine disruptor. It can interfere with hormones and overall health, and it’s known to linger in the body, building up toxic chemicals over time.

OCTOCRYLENE

Octocrylene also disrupts the endocrine system, raising estrogen levels. On top of that, it’s known to cause skin allergies and produce free radicals when exposed to sunlight, which can damage our skin cells.

AVOBENZONE

Avobenzone is commonly used in sunscreens but is highly toxic when exposed to other chemicals, sunlight, and water (which, let's be honest, is pretty much every beach day). When it breaks down, it releases free radicals, which can accelerate aging, damage our health, and increase the risk of cancer.

4-METHYL BENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR

This chemical is another endocrine disruptor that poses serious health risks. Some research suggests it can disrupt the thyroid and harm developing fetuses, making it a particularly dangerous ingredient.

Package all these ingredients together, and you have a toxic recipe for a hormone disaster. But don’t worry, it’s never too late to make simple swaps to support your health.

AVOID THESE SUNSCREENS

To help you save time, we’ve gathered a list of some of the worst sunscreens containing one or more of the ingredients listed above. Many of these brands have had products recalled in the past for containing dangerous levels of cancer-causing chemicals, such as Benzene:

  • Surf Life Saving Sunscreens

  • Neutrogena Sunscreens

  • Le Tan Sunscreens

 
 

BETTER SUNSCREENS

These may not be the best sunscreens, but they’re a big step up from our previous list. While some contain one or two ingredients we’d typically recommend avoiding, they’re still much better choices—especially if they fit your budget or are more accessible to you.

  • Simple As That SPF30

  • Surf Mud SPF50 

  • Natio Sun SPF 50

  • Invisible Zinc SPF50

  • MooGoo SPF40

  • Think Baby SPF50

 
 

BEST NON-TOX SUNSCREENS

Now, for the best sunscreens. These are some of the best non-toxic sunscreens available that are safe for our oceans, safe for our skin / bodies. Overall, opt for SPF 30 and above — and don’t forget to look at the ingredient list!

  • Eco Sonya SPF 30 (Organic)

  • Avocado Zinc SPF 50

  • The Kind Sunscreen SPF 30

  • Mother SPF50 - I love all of the Mother SPF sunscreens this one is great for your body, or if you prefer a tinted face option, this one is great - you can buy them through Part&Parcel and use “jordiepieface” for $20 off your first order with them ($99 min order).

  • Ethical Zinc SPF50

  • Green + Kind SPF50

  • Sunslayer SPF50

  • Melvory Sunscreen SPF50 - you can use “JORDAN15” for 15% off with Melvory site wide.

 
 
 

If you would love a bigger sunscreen option, Game Face Pro and Eco Zinc have both 1kg and 2kg options which would be great for sporting events, childcare centres and for family’s that go through sunscreen quickly. Both options have amazing ingredients too. Eco Zinc also have untinted + tinted suncreen options too.

BEST CHILDREN’S SUNSCREENS

When buying non-toxic sunscreen for children, look for all-natural, organic ingredients. Non-toxic sunscreens for children may be less likely to cause irritation. If you have sensitive skin, you may want these brands for yourself!

 
 

BEST FACE SUNSCREENS

Pro Tip: Use different sunscreen for your face vs. body. Many sunscreens aren’t designed for our faces and can cause acne or breakouts. These brands were all featured on our ‘Best’ Face Sunscreen list.

  • Ethical Zinc

  • Mother SPF - you can use “JORDIE15” for 15% off on all of their sunscreens. I love their Matte sunscreen which isn’t oily and is lightly tinted.

  • Sabbia Co - you can use “JORDIE” for 10% off all products

  • Sun Jucie

  • Eco Sonya

  • Wotnot Naturals

  • Mukti Organics - you can use “JORDIEPIEFACE” for 20% OFF your first order

  • Inika Organics Tinted Sunscreen - I buy their products (they have great low-tox makeup too) through Jivita which ship to both NZ and all over Australia - use “jordiepieface” for $15 off your first order through them ($130 min order).

  • Arloe Wellness 3-in-1 Sunscreen - it’s a mineral sunscreen, primer and primer making it a great light sunscreen option to wear under makeup. You can even mix some of your foundation with the SPF to created a protective BB cream.

  • Mad Margot is a 4-in-1-Sunscreen too. It’s a serum, primer, moisturiser and SPF50 sunscreen. This is also a great option to wear under makeup, or simply as-is on your face to the beach. You can use “JORDANPIE15” for 15% off.

  • Melvory Tinted BB Cream SPF15 - is my favourite tinted makeup option. It’s so light to wear, isn’t cakey at all and wears beautifully throughout the day. You can use “JORDAN15” for 15% off site wide.

You can find even more ‘Best’ Tinted Face Sunscreen recommendations here too.

TIPS FOR CHOOSING A NON-TOXIC SUNSCREEN BRAND

Overall, keep these tips in mind when looking for a non-toxic sunscreen brand that’s safe for our ocean, safe for our skin, and safe for our health:

  • Choose a non-toxic sunscreen that doesn’t contain oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, octocrylene, avobenzone, or 4-methyl benzylidene camphor.

  • Choose a non-toxic sunscreen that does contain Zinc Oxide.

  • Opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen: One that provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

  • Protect yourself with SPF 30 or higher rating.

  • Look at all ingredients (even the natural ones!).

  • Reapply at least every two hours. 

  • For the best protection, opt for Australian sunscreens over NZ ones, as Aus has much stricter standards and more rigorous testing.

With the sun heating up in New Zealand and Australia, protecting our skin is more important than ever. Many mainstream sunscreens contain chemicals that can enter the bloodstream or be inhaled (especially sprays), impacting both our health and the environment. That’s why it’s essential to read labels carefully and choose high-quality, non-toxic sunscreens.

For even more low-tox sunscreen options, you can see our updated sunscreen swaps post below if you missed it!

 
 


Looking for more inspiration on how to support your health and live a low-tox lifestyle? Check out my blog post, “What Are Organ Supplements, and Will They Make You Healthier?”

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