Cream and Lotion Sunscreens
Badger Sunscreen Cream
SPF 40
Minimal ingredients, reef friendly, water resistant 80 minutes, unscented.
Note: Badger uses a “clear” zinc that is non-nano
Ingredients: 22.5% Uncoated Zinc Oxide, Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Beeswax, Sunflower Vitamin E
Cost: $15.29 for 2.9 ounces; $5.30/ounce
Thinksport
Budget friendly, reef friendly, water resistant 80 minutes
Many chemicals, only 20% zinc
Ingredients: 20% non-nano Zinc, caprylic triglyceride, polyglycery-4, isosterate, cetyl dimethicone, hexyl laurate, glycerin, hycrogenated methyl, pinewood resin, epsom salt, caprylhdroxamic acid, glyceryl caprylate, sorbitan sesquioleate, currant fruit, sunflower oil, jojoba seed oil, tocopherol, olive fruit oil, hyalurounic acid, grapefruit
Cost: $18 for 6 ounces; $3/ounce
Reef Repair Sunscreen
Lots of zinc, water resistant 1 hr, budget friendly, reef friendly
Lots of chemicals, scented
Ingredients: 25% non-nano Zinc, coconut oil, avocado oil, vegetable emulsifying wax NF, shea butter, red raspberry seed oil, glyceryl oleate citrate & caprylic/capric triglyceride, glycerin, beeswax, ethylhexylglycerin & propanediol, polyhydroxystearic acid, sodium gluconate, coconut essential oil, vanilla essential oil
Cost: $20 for 4 ounces; $5/ounce
Paste and Stick Sunscreens
Badger 50 SPF Tin
Reef friendly, 80 min water resistant, lots of zinc, minimal chemicals
Note: Badger uses a “clear” zinc that is non-nano
Ingredients: 25% Uncoated Zinc Oxide, Sunflower Seed Oil, Beeswax, Tocopherol (Sunflower Vitamin E)
Cost: $15 for 2.4 ounces; $6.25/ounce
Raw Elements Baby + Kids
Reef friendly, water resistant 80 min, good ingredients and lots of zinc
Ingredients: 25% non-nano Zinc, organic sunflower seed oil, organic beeswax, organic coconut oil, cocoa seed butter, organic calendula flower extract, organic chamomilla, rosemary leaf extract, sunflower vitamin E
Cost: $18 for 3 ounces; $6/ounce
Waxhead Sunscreen Stick
Reef friendly, water resistance 80 min, lots of zinc
Bonus: Tinted Version
Ingredients: 25% non-nano Zinc, Virgin coconut oil, Beeswax, aqua, ethanol, vanilla planifolia extract
Cost: $24 for 3.7 ounces; $6.50/ounce
EiR NYC Surf Mud Pro Stick
Reef safe, water resistant, lots of zinc + titanium
Expensive, Note: cardboard container
Ingredients: 25% non-nano Zinc, 5% non-nano Titanium, Beeswax, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Cocoa Fruit Powder
Cost: $30 for 1.5 ounces; $20/ounce
Concluding Thoughts on Sunscreen
While there are numerous sunscreen options, finding a high quality product can be challenging. Staying out of the sun and wearing clothes that protect from the sun is the best defense from sunburns and skin damage. At the moment the best sunscreen option seems to be mineral sunblocks with a high percentage of zinc oxide (greater than 20%) and potentially some additional titanium dioxide. Just because a sunscreen says it is reef safe does not make it so. Double check a sunscreen by using our list of reef harmful chemicals above or go to Save the Reef.org. If you’re the DIY type, check out our recipe for homemade zinc-based sunscreen to save money and ensure your sunscreen is safe for your health.
