Natural sunscreen in Canada: how to choose a mineral SPF

Natural sunscreen usually means mineral sunscreen: zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the UV filters, in a base of plant oils, butters and aloe. The best natural sunscreen in Canada is one with broad spectrum protection, an SPF of 30 or more, the water resistance you need, and a texture you'll actually wear every day. This guide is for anyone switching to mineral sunscreen: how mineral and chemical sunscreens differ, how to read the label, how to avoid a white cast, and the mineral sunscreens we carry for faces, families and sensitive skin.

What is natural mineral sunscreen?

Every sunscreen uses UV filters, the active ingredients that protect skin from the sun. There are two kinds:

• Mineral filters. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These mineral pigments sit on the surface of the skin and reflect, scatter and absorb UV light. Zinc oxide on its own covers both UVA and UVB rays.
• Chemical (organic) filters. Ingredients such as avobenzone, octocrylene, homosalate and oxybenzone, which are absorbed into the top layer of skin and absorb UV there.

A natural mineral sunscreen uses only mineral filters, blended into a base of natural ingredients like sunflower oil, shea butter, beeswax, coconut and aloe vera. Most of the brands we carry also keep the rest of their sunscreen ingredients short and plant-based, and many are unscented or naturally scented, so there's no strong sunscreen smell. Many people choose mineral sunscreens because they're often gentle on sensitive skin, they protect as soon as they're applied, and they leave out chemical filters such as oxybenzone.

Mineral vs chemical sunscreen at a glance

How to read a sunscreen label: SPF, broad spectrum and water resistant

1. Broad spectrum. Look for "broad spectrum" on the label. It means broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection, not just UVB. UVB rays cause sunburn; UVA rays reach deeper into the skin and are present all year, even on cloudy days.
2. SPF. SPF measures UVB protection. SPF 30 is a good everyday minimum, and SPF 50 suits long days outside, fair skin and kids at the beach.
3. Water resistant: 40 or 80 minutes. "Water resistant" on a sunscreen always comes with a time, either 40 or 80 minutes of swimming or sweating. Reapply when that time is up, and after towelling off.
4. The active ingredients. A mineral sunscreen lists only zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as active ingredients, with the percentage. Non nano zinc oxide means the particles are larger than nanoparticle size.
5. The base and scent. Check the inactive ingredients for oils, butters, aloe and fragrance. Fragrance free or unscented formulas are the gentlest choice for sensitive skin.

Natural sunscreen, Canada-made: ATTITUDE and Green Beaver

ATTITUDE is a Montreal company that makes its Sunly mineral sunscreens with non-nano zinc oxide as the only UV filter. The Fragrance-Free Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 uses 20% non-nano zinc oxide for broad spectrum protection, goes on smooth, dries clear and isn't greasy. The unscented Mineral Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 is a non-aerosol spray with 24% non-nano zinc oxide and 80 minutes of water resistance, and the Sensitive Skin SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen Stick comes in a biodegradable cardboard tube.

Green Beaver was started in 2002 by two Canadian scientists in their own kitchen and is now made in Hawkesbury, Ontario. Its Adult and Kids Mineral Sunscreen Lotions SPF 50 combine zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, 8% each, in a moisturizing base of organic sunflower oil, beeswax, raspberry seed oil and jojoba esters, with a non-whitening finish. They're made with 100% natural-origin ingredients, 59% from organic farming, and are hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, benzene-free and reef friendly.

Short-ingredient mineral sunscreens

If you want the simplest formula possible, look for a sunscreen with just a handful of ingredients. Badger, a family-owned company in New Hampshire, makes its Baby Clear Zinc Sunscreen SPF 40 with seven ingredients: 22.5% uncoated clear zinc oxide in a base of certified organic sunflower oil, beeswax and jojoba oil, with vitamin E, calendula, Roman chamomile and seabuckthorn. It's thick and balm-like, so warm it between your fingers first, and grown-ups use it too.

All Good, which started on a farm in Morro Bay, California, makes Sport Sunscreen SPF 30 with 16% non-nano zinc oxide as the only active ingredient, in a lightweight, non greasy base of organic aloe juice, shea butter, coconut and sunflower oils. It's broad spectrum and water resistant for 80 minutes.

All GoodSport Sunscreen SPF 3016% non-nano zinc. Water resistant 80 minutes.Shop →

Mineral sunscreen for your face and sensitive skin

A face sunscreen should be light enough to wear every day, under makeup or on its own. Blue Lizard Sheer Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 50 uses titanium dioxide (8%) and zinc oxide (10%) for broad spectrum protection, dries clear with no white cast, and is water resistant for 80 minutes, with squalane, shea butter and aloe in the base. ThinkSport Clear Zinc Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 uses non-nano zinc oxide, dries clear and is water and sweat resistant up to 80 minutes.

Natural sunscreen for babies and kids

Mineral sunscreens are a popular choice for little ones because they use only zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and many are fragrance free. ATTITUDE Baby & Kids Unscented Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 uses 20% non-nano zinc oxide in a small 75 g tube for the diaper bag, made in Canada. Badger Baby Clear Zinc Sunscreen SPF 40 starts white and rubs in clear, and it's water resistant for 40 minutes. For the rest of the change-table basics, see our natural baby products guide. ThinkSport Kids Mineral Based Sunscreen SPF 50+ is broad spectrum and water resistant up to 80 minutes, and Green Beaver Kids Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 is made in Canada with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Effective sun protection beyond sunscreen

Sunscreen works best as one part of your sun protection. On bright days, add a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and a light long-sleeved layer, and look for shade in the middle of the day when the sun is strongest. Together with a broad spectrum mineral sunscreen, that's the most effective protection for the whole family.

How to avoid a white cast

A white cast is the most common complaint about mineral sunscreen, and a few habits help:

• Start with moisturized skin; zinc spreads more evenly over a hydrating base.
• Apply a small amount at a time and rub it in fully before adding more.
• Warm thick, balm-style sunscreens between your fingers first.
• Choose a formula described as clear zinc, sheer or non-whitening, like ThinkSport Clear Zinc, Blue Lizard Sheer or Badger Baby Clear Zinc.

How to apply sunscreen

1. Use enough. Most people use far too little. Plan on about a teaspoon for your face and neck and about two tablespoons for your body.
2. Apply before you go out. Put it on before sun exposure, and don't forget ears, the back of your neck and the tops of your feet.
3. Reapply. Reapply at least every two hours, and after swimming, sweating or towelling off, as the label directs.
4. Protect your lips. Lips need sun protection too. ATTITUDE Sunly SPF 15 Lip Balm uses 10% non-nano zinc oxide with a universal tint.
5. Wear it year round. In a Canadian winter, snow reflects UV, so a face sunscreen is worth keeping in your routine on bright days.

ATTITUDESunly SPF 15 Lip Balm, Coconut10% non-nano zinc oxide, universal tint.Shop →

What is the best natural sunscreen to use?

The best natural sunscreen is a mineral sunscreen that's broad spectrum, SPF 30 or higher, water resistant if you'll be swimming or sweating, and pleasant enough that you'll reapply it. For sensitive skin, a fragrance free zinc sunscreen like ATTITUDE Fragrance-Free SPF 30 is a good start. For everyday face wear, try a sheer formula like Blue Lizard Sheer Mineral Face SPF 50.

What is the best non-toxic sunscreen in Canada?

"Non toxic" isn't a regulated term, so we look at the ingredients instead. Most people asking this want a mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the only active ingredients, no oxybenzone, and a short list of skin loving ingredients. ATTITUDE and Green Beaver are both Canadian-made options with mineral filters only, and Badger and All Good keep their ingredient lists especially short.

Is there a 100% natural sunscreen?

Not quite. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are minerals, but they're refined and milled for sunscreen use, and every effective sunscreen is formulated and tested to deliver the SPF printed on the label. Plant oils on their own, like coconut or raspberry seed oil, don't give reliable sun protection. A mineral sunscreen with a natural base is as close as it gets, and it's the one we'd choose.

Insect repellent for summer days

Our summer shelf also carries DEET-free insect repellents for the trail, the beach and the backyard. Citrobug, made in Canada, uses essential oils of lemon, camphor, geranium, eucalyptus and pine in its Mosquito Repellent Oil, with a kids version too. Botanical repellents need reapplying more often than DEET products, so follow the label and keep the bottle in your bag. If you're wearing both, put sunscreen on first and repellent second.

Shopping for natural sunscreen at Luminate

You'll find our mineral sunscreens, SPF lip balms and insect repellents together on the summer shelf at both stores, and online in our sunscreen and insect repellent collection, with baby sunscreens in baby sunscreen and children's sunscreen. Sunscreens ship across Atlantic Canada in 1 to 3 business days, with free shipping in Canada on orders over $80, or come the same day across Halifax, Bedford and Dartmouth with Luminate Express when you order by 11 am. For the rest of your skin routine, see our guides to natural face moisturizers and natural face cleansers.

SPF, broad spectrum and water resistance details are as printed on each product. Always follow the directions on the label. This article is general information, not medical advice.