What is Natural Sunscreen and What are Its Benefits?

We all know that sunscreen helps prevent sunburns, skin damage, and skin cancer, but it can feel like you need a chemistry degree just to suss out which product to choose. What is a natural sunscreen? What’s the difference between natural and conventional sunscreen? And how do you know if the sunscreen you’ve chosen is safe and doing its job of preventing sun damage? We’ve got you covered.

Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the only two active sunscreen ingredients (of the 16 currently allowed in the U.S.) that are generally recognized as safe and effective by the FDA.

Oxybenzone — a chemical sunscreen ingredient that’s made from petroleum and used in 70 percent of sunscreens — and octinoxate are believed to be endocrine disruptors. This means they may mimic and interfere with your hormones. According to the FDA, chemical sunscreen ingredients like oxybenzone can be absorbed through the skin and enter the bloodstream.

Scientists have estimated that 14,000 tons of sunscreen end up in oceans around the world each year. Much of that sunscreen contains oxybenzone and octinoxate, which contribute to coral bleaching. Even in small doses, oxybenzone has been shown to quickly bleach coral and slow its growth.

While reef-safe sunscreen is vital when you are snorkeling and lounging on the beach, the sunblock you wear at the pool or on a hike matters too. Sunscreen washed off in the shower can flow through water treatment systems into local waterways or the ocean.

Chemical sunscreen absorbs the UV rays, which creates heat that can irritate your skin. The chemicals themselves can also sting or burn when applied.

Sunscreens made with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide also offer instant protection, unlike chemical sunscreens that need to absorb into your skin for 15 to 30 minutes before they can provide full protection.

"Mineral," "physical," and "natural" are often used interchangeably to describe sunscreen that uses minerals — zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide — to reflect or physically block the sun’s UV rays from penetrating your skin.

The sun radiates two types of harmful UV light: UVA and UVB. UVA rays can cause age spots and wrinkling, and UVB rays are responsible for sunburns. Broad-spectrum sunscreen helps protect skin cells from both.

Common sunscreen chemicals — oxybenzone and octinoxate — contribute to coral bleaching. Reef-safe sunscreen is formulated without these harmful chemicals.

No sunscreen is effective if you don’t use it correctly. Follow these tips to get the best protection possible.

1. Use at least an ounce of sunscreen

“The biggest mistake with applying any sunscreen is that most people don’t use the recommended amount,” says Chris Birchby, founder and CEO of COOLA Suncare and Bare Republic.

Adults should use at least a shot glass full of sunscreen when minimally dressed to evenly cover the body, from the tops of the feet to the hairline. A half teaspoon or so should be used to cover your face, neck, and chest. If you apply less, you get less coverage and less protection. Using just half the required amount of an SPF 30 sunscreen only provides an effective SPF of 5.5, according to Piedmont-Fleischmann.

Birchby recommends applying your sunscreen in layers and working in sections. To achieve the recommended amount, start with a little bit at a time and allow it to absorb and set before applying another sheer layer. Sunscreen lotions, gels, and sticks are the easiest and safest to apply properly. And it sounds like a no-brainer, but it bears repeating: Follow the instructions on the specific product for the best results.

2. Don’t be lazy with sun protection

Don’t forget often-missed spots like your lips, the tops of your ears and feet, and your eyelids. And make sure you wear sunscreen even on cloudy days or indoors — UV rays pass through clouds and glass.

3. Reapply at least every two hours and after sweating, swimming, or wiping skin with a towel or shirt

People more prone to sunburn may need to reapply more frequently, especially when the forecasted UV index is high.

4. Pick the sunscreen that’s best for your skin and the day’s activities

A moisturizer with sunscreen is great for the commute to work, but a hike or a run calls for a water-resistant sunscreen with more protection from the sun’s harmful rays.

5. Always use water-resistant formulas for swimming and other water activities

The bottle will tell you if the sunscreen is water resistant for 40 or 80 minutes. Be sure to reapply on time!

6. Practice sun safety

Applying sunscreen properly is important, but so is seeking out shade, wearing sun protective clothing (like a hat and/or UPF clothing), and following the daily UV forecast so you can avoid peak hours and safely enjoy the outdoors when UV radiation exposure is lower.