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Byrdie / David Hattan
The importance of protecting our skin from harmful UV rays has been known for centuries—but the understanding of how many sunscreens on the market can cause significant damage to marine life is relatively new. According to Lea d'Auriol, Founder of International Non-Profit Oceanic Global, oxybenzone and octinoxate (common active ingredients in SPF products) are major contributors to coral bleaching. “More than 25 percent of all marine life depends on healthy coral reefs for survival,” she explains. Coral bleaching is so harmful that Hawaii and several other regions around the world have banned these ingredients.
So, it’s no surprise that companies and consumers alike are making it a point to opt for sun protection products that are considered “reef-safe.” “The term ‘reef-safe sunscreen’ is not regulated, so it is important to check the active ingredients label to ensure that reef-harming chemicals are not included,” explains d'Auriol. “As a general rule, options without oxybenzone and octinoxate are a good first indicator of more ocean-friendly options,” she says.
To take the guesswork out of it for you, we put some of the top-rated reef-safe SPFs to the test, both in The Lab as well as at home. Our 19 testers evaluated 24 products based on how easily they spread across the skin and absorbed, how they felt on the skin, how water-resistant they were, whether or not they created a white cast, and most importantly, how well they protected their skin. And ahead, we’re sharing which ones performed the best.
Best Overall
Pipette Mineral Sunscreen
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Amazon
Lightweight, creamy texture
Fragrance-free
Fast-absorbing
Doesn’t create white cast
Comfortable feeling on the skin
Pretty water-resistant
Transfers a bit
While SPF is a skincare routine staple, finding a great one can be challenging. Many are thick, hard to rub in, leave a white cast, etc., but this one is as close to perfect as it gets—and of course, it’s reef-safe. We were thoroughly impressed with the application of this product. The lightweight, creamy texture is easy to rub in and absorbs quickly without leaving a dry or greasy feel behind. Though it comes out of the tube in a white-ish color, it doesn't create even a minor white cast—a major win considering that it’s powered by zinc oxide, which often does.
While it does transfer just a bit onto clothing, we love that it’s pretty water-resistant and remains well intact after swimming or sweating. If you’re looking for an affordable, reef-safe SPF that’s easy to apply, comfortable on the skin, and doesn’t leave a white cast, we absolutely recommend this one.
Price at time of publish: $11
Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 50 | Size: 4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Budget
Hello Bello Mineral SPF 50+ Sunscreen Lotion
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Walmart
Lightweight, lotion texture
Easy to blend into the skin
Fast-absorbing
White cast disappears after rubbing product in for a few seconds
Feels comfortable on the skin
Very resistant to transfer and water
Has a strong fragrance
Considering how much SPF you need to use in order for it to effectively protect your skin from the sun (roughly one ounce to cover the entire body, according to the American Academy of Dermatology), it’s a product that can be really pricey to continuously repurchase. That’s why having an affordable go-to is so important, and this one is fantastic. The formula contains cocoa seed butter and avocado to nourish the skin, it boasts 80 minutes of water resistance, and it’s dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic.
The creamy lotion texture rubs into the skin with ease and absorbs quickly. After rubbing it in for a few seconds, any remnants of a white cast disappear, and the skin is left feeling comfortable and non-greasy. It’s also impressive in terms of how well it resists transfer and water.
One con to note about this formula is that it has a strong, lemony fragrance. But considering all of its other positive attributes and how affordable and accessible it is, this product absolutely still earns the Byrdie stamp of approval.
Price at time of publish: $9
Active Ingredients: Non-nano zinc oxide | SPF: 50 | Size: 3 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Face
Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen
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Sephora
Lightweight, liquidy-lotion consistency
Non-sticky texture absorbs quickly
Very easy to rub into the skin
Not super water-resistant
Creates minor white cast
Though your face and body both require proper sun protection, oftentimes SPFs that were not specifically formulated for the face can feel heavy or uncomfortable on the skin. And while this one can be used all over, we think it’s a great option for the face. The formula contains water lily to help cool and calm the skin, as well as sugarcane-derived squalane for added moisturizing benefits. It also has a liquidy-lotion texture that feels light and comfortable once applied.
The fluid formula is easy to rub in, absorbs quickly, and doesn't feel sticky to the touch. Upon the initial application, the formula does create a minor white cast. However, after rubbing it in and letting it sit for about 15 minutes, the cast almost completely disappears. Also note that if you’ll be wearing makeup on top of your facial SPF, this might not be a major concern for you. When it comes to transfer and water resistance, the formula didn't hold up as well as other options. But the brand doesn’t claim that the formula is water-resistant, so while it might not be your best bet for a beach day, it’s still a fantastic option for daily use.
Price at time of publish: $34, $46
Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 30 | Size: 1.7 or 3.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Sensitive Skin
California Baby Super Sensitive SPF 30 Lotion
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Amazon
Formulated without many potential irritants and allergens
Comfortable on the skin
Water-resistant
Non-greasy finish
Slightly sticky when rubbing it in
Texture is a bit thick
Does leave a white cast for a while
Those with sensitive skin know that finding a sunscreen that’s effective and non-irritating can be tricky. We love this one because It’s safe for the oceans as well as sensitive skin and baby skin. It’s free from tons of potential irritants and allergens, like nuts (except coconut), gluten, soy, dairy, fragrance, and chemical SPF.
While the texture is pretty thick and takes a bit of effort to rub in, it’s smooth and creamy, and it feels comfortable once applied. It’s also non-greasy and super resistant to water. It does create a noticeable white cast when first applied, but that fades pretty much completely after about 30 minutes. If you’ve struggled to find sunscreens that are non-irritating on your skin, this one is absolutely worth giving a try.
Price at time of publish: $14, $24, $40, $125
Active Ingredients: Titanium dioxide | SPF: 30 | Size: 1.8, 2.9, 6, 19 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Fast-Absorbing
Suntegrity Mineral Body Sunscreen
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Amazon
Lightweight, lotion texture
Fast-absorbing
Water-resistant
Doesn’t leave a residue on the skin
Has a slight fragrance
Working hard to fully rub your SPF into your skin isn’t a pleasant experience, making absorbency one of the key factors we evaluated during this test. While many options boasted impressive absorption capabilities, this one was the best at melting into the skin with almost no effort required. The fluid, lotion consistency makes it easy to spread around the body, and it absorbs into the skin in the blink of an eye without leaving behind a thick, chalky, or greasy residue. Though it does create a hint of a white cast upon the initial application, that cast quickly fades after just a moment or two.
In addition to how well it absorbs into the skin and how comfortable it is once applied, it’s also impressive in terms of how well it resists transfer and running when it comes into contact with water. If you’re particularly picky about finding sunscreens that don’t feel like the dry, heavy, hard-to-blend products of the past, we highly recommend checking this one out.
Price at time of publish: $24, $36
Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 30 | Size: 3, 5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Lightweight
Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Sun Milk Body Lotion SPF 50
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Target
Comes in packaging with a pump
Lightweight, liquid-lotion texture
Fast-absorbing
Non-sticky finish
Water-resistant
Has a strong fragrance
Has a minor white cast
We’d be comfortable betting that many people who neglect to wear sunscreen on a regular basis do so because many SPF formulas are unpleasant to apply and wear throughout the day—but not this one. This liquidy formula pumps out of the bottle easily, blends into the skin with minimal effort, doesn’t leave an annoying chalky or oily residue on the skin, and doesn’t transfer or run when it comes into contact with sweat. Seriously, it lasted through swimming, a workout, and the sauna despite its thin texture and weightless feel on the skin.
It does feature that typical beachy scent that many heritage SPF brands are known for, and while we do prefer unscented options, at least this one smells nice and nostalgic. And while it does create a minor white cast, that cast is fairly undetectable after about 20 minutes of wear. If you’ve been searching for a weightless, reef-safe sunscreen, this is the one for you.
Price at time of publish: $18
Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide | SPF: 30 | Size: 3.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Beach Days
Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
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Amazon
Fragrance-fee
Lightweight, silky texture
Fast-absorbing
Very water-resistant
Consistency can be a bit runny
Leaves a slightly tacky finish on the skin
Although proper SPF protection is important on an everyday basis, it’s especially important when you’re spending extended periods of time in direct sunlight. This sunscreen is a great option for beach days because it’s reef-safe (of course), features a color-changing cap that goes from white to blue or pink when exposed to UV rays to indicate it’s time to reapply, and it’s water-resistant. It has a lightweight, liquid-like formula that can be a bit runny and hard to control out of the tube, but the weightless texture makes it easy to spread and comfortable on the skin. It absorbs within seconds before setting down to a radiant finish with almost no white cast in sight.
What impressed us the most about this formula is how well it performed during water-resistance and transfer-resistance tests. It stayed put almost completely, making it a great option for all types of outdoor activities—especially days at the beach or pool. Plus, we love that it’s suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Price at time of publish: $15
Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide | SPF: 50 | Size: 5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Final Verdict
The Pipette Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 is our favorite reef-safe sunscreen. It’s lightweight, fast-absorbing, fragrance-free, water-resistant, and doesn’t create a white cast, all while remaining affordable. But if you have sensitive or reactive skin, we highly recommend the California Baby Super Sensitive Broad-Spectrum SPF 30+ Sunscreen for you.
How We Tested
In order to determine which reef-safe SPF is best, we put more than twenty options to the test in The Lab as well as at home in the real world over the course of four weeks. In our lab facility, we tested the formulas to determine if they transfer onto clothing, whether or not they’re water-resistant, how well they absorb into the skin, and if they created a white cast. At home, we used the products consistently to determine the same things (as well as how they protected the skin from the sun), but over a longer period of time and in practice in our daily lives. We ranked each product in each category, and those that scored the highest appear on this list.
Other Options We Tested
Coola Mineral Body Organic Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
Although we appreciate that this body SPF is fragrance-free and packed with antioxidants, the texture is quite greasy, and it does create a white cast.
Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen
While this product is marketed as a clear sunscreen, we find that it does create a white cast, and it feels a bit heavy on the skin.
Manda Organic Sun Paste
We love that this formula has a unique paste texture and is pretty water-resistant, but it takes some warming up in between the hands in order to get it spread evenly on the skin.
Meet the Expert
- Lea d'Auriol, Founder of International Non-Profit and Partner of UN World Oceans Day, Oceanic Global.
What to Look for When Buying a Reef-Safe SPF
Water-Resistance
Lea d'Auriol recommends opting for SPFs that are water-resistant because this makes them less likely to wash off of your skin into the ocean. Plus, the better your sunscreen remains on your skin, the more protected you are from the harmful effects of the sun. The Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen 50+ is our favorite water-resistant option.
Level of Protection
It’s important to consider what level of protection you’re getting out of your SPF, regardless of whether it’s reef-safe or not. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, you should use a product that has an SPF of 30 or higher. They also recommend opting for a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection to protect you from both UVA and UVB rays. Our top pick is the Pipette Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50—it has a high SPF, offers broad-spectrum protection, and is water-resistant.
Why Trust Byrdie
Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry as well as fashion business marketing. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty.
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