Beauty Skin-Care Tips

Editors’ Picks: Amazing Natural Sunscreens We’re Wearing

Sarah Sarway

June 26, 2014

Editors’ Picks: Amazing Natural Sunscreens We’re Wearing — Found! Great sunscreens that don't make you shiny, ghosty, or break out, from our medicine cabinets and beach bags.

Sunscreen is one of those skin-care products that women are either super on top of such that they smuggle their favorites back from the UK or Japan—or they're always looking for one they simply don't hate and will wear.

We feel you. Or we used to. There are now so many great natural sunscreens that protect your precious skin, feel as light as your moisturizer, and won't make you look shiny, ghosty, or break out. And we've found them.

Here are the sunscreens we're slathering on at Well+Good right now... —Melisse Gelula

(Photo: www.weheartit.com)

Mychelle Replenishing Solar Defense SPF 30, ($30), Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Natural Sunscreen SPF 30,($15)

Mychelle’s Replenishing Solar Defense is one of the lighest-feeling mineral-based sunscreens I’ve found, so I love it on my face, where thick paste is really not what I’m looking for, and it comes with other natural ingredients that moisturize and alleviate sun damage at the same time.

When I’m slathering it all over my body at the beach every hour, though, I like to go a little more budget, and Yes to Cucumbers’ new sunscreen is one of the least chalky I’ve found in the affordable, non-toxic category. Plus, it really smells like fresh, cooling cucumbers. —Lisa Elaine Held

(Photo: Lisa Elaine Held for Well+Good)

MVO Everyday Coverage ($50)

I've been using this lightweight sunscreen for years because its the perfect daily sunscreen and tinted moisturizer. It gets top marks from the Environmental Working Group and its non-nano zinc oxide applies and absorbs easily. It also has red raspberry seed oil that helps to prevent sun damage. The tint's perfect for my skin, so it's a good substitute for a foundation. I use something more heavy duty for the beach, but on a daily basis this is my go-to! PS: It has new packaging but I'm using this one up first. —Alexia Brue

(Photo: Well+Good)

Juice Beauty Sport SPF 30 Sport Moisturizer ($16)

I use this sunscreen because it’s one that Well+Good's recommended in the past. I found it at my local natural foods store in their natural/wellness area, which is a plus that I can get it easily when I need to replenish. It’s scent is really low-key, which I really like, and once I put it on, after it settles in, I feel nothing. It goes on really smooth and feels really light for something that's made for the beach. —Alison Gilbert

(Photo: Well+Good)

SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 ($34)

I love SkinCeuticals’ Physical Fusion UV Defense for my face and neck. It’s super lightweight and feels like I’m putting on nothing at all while still wearing sun protection. I'm also a geek about the science behind this brand, and how it protects against both UVA and UVB rays—that's really important to me. I'll wear it on a run and it stays put. It also has a slight tint that evens out skin tone, so I sort of think of it as two-in-one sunscreen and light foundation on no-make-up days. —Kimie Bunyasaranand

(Photo: Kimie Bunyasaranand for Well+Good)

Erbaviva Sunscreen SPF 30 ($22)

I’ve had trouble finding a non-greasy sunscreen to use on both my body and face, but this one fits the bill. It blends in super easily and smells like lavender without being overpowering. I also love the convenient travel size, so I can tote it around in my purse for those extra long and sunny days. —Kate Citron

(Photo: Kate Citron for Well+Good)

John Masters Natural Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30, ($32)

I kind of consider sunscreen as indispensable as toothpaste, so I wear it pretty much every day. This one feels a lot like a moisturizer (and has jojoba and green tea extracts in it like a lotion), which is probably why I find myself reaching for it year-round. It layers over my daily face oil or serum perfectly, it barely has a scent, and the titanium dioxide and zinc (which are key for UVA and UVB protection) don't make my skin look ghosty, too matte, or too shiny. Everyone I've recommended it to loves it, as well. This is a great sunscreen for people who don't like sunscreen. —Melisse Gelula

(Photo: Melisse Gelula for Well+Good)

Suntegrity Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen & Primer, Broad Spectrum Spf 30 ($45)

This smells divine, is lightweight, and applies super nicely. I love using it on its own or under a little makeup when that late-day summer sun is still shining.

I started using it after Anne Nelson Sandford of Lurk recommended it. I inherited super fair skin—Eastern European from my mom and Irish from my dad—and when I heard about Suntegrity’s founder, Tricia’s, personal story and family history of melanoma, it hit home even more. —Molly Gallagher

(Photo: Suntegrity)

Josie Maran Daily Moisturizer SPF 47 ($14)

I’m ashamed to say that if my sunscreen isn’t already mixed with something else, I’ll forget to put it on, so the fact that there’s SPF 47 in this moisturizer is amazing. Argan is still such a hot ingredient right now, and I was scared to use it at first because I have oily skin—but this is lightweight and actually balances my complexion, without making my skin shiny. —Jamie McKillop

(Photo: Josie Maran)

Elta MD UV Physical Broad-Spectrum SPF 41 ($29)

I'm loving this one because it uses minerals like zinc instead of chemicals to block UV rays, but doesn't have the chalkiness that many of mineral sunscreens have. Also, it's the rare tinted sunscreen in a shade that's light enough for my skin. And both my facialist (Jillian Wright) and my dermatologist (Tribeca Skin Center) like it enough to sell it, which makes me feel good about using it and makes it easy for me to buy it. —Ann Abel