The Healthiest All-Natural Sunscreens

As the weather warms across the country with the season change waiting in the wings, it's time to start stocking up for summer. With months of beach fun, barbecues, and other outdoor activities ahead, the most important product to invest in is sunscreen. However, not every sunscreen is created equal. This summer, invest only in the healthiest, all-natural sun defense products to defend your family's skin.

UV Natural Sunscreen

The UV Natural Sunscreen line is the invention of Australia native Dr. Tony Kovacs, and is imported and distributed to the United States by Wallaby Ventures, LLC. Given that Australia is located very close to a significant depletion in the ozone layer, the country's increased vulnerability to sunburns makes an Aussie the perfect candidate for creating a healthy sun blocking product. The UV Natural line boasts seven products for all ages, activities, and skin sensitivities. The UV Baby sunscreen (SPF 30+) is the best option for not only infants and children, but those with sensitive skin. The SPF 15 product is great for everyday use, and Sport offers an additional hour of water resistance from the Regular sunscreen (4 as opposed to 3 hours), with both holding an SPF of 30+. UV Naturals also provides products that protect just the lips, in addition to deodorants, body and sun oils, and after sun options. The ingredients in each product are biodegradable, vegan (except for the SPF 15 sunscreen), non-comedogenic, and cruelty-free. The products' impressive array of all-natural ingredients include essential oils, raw beeswax, green tea, and zinc. A unique feature of the UV Natural sunscreens is that a small amount goes a long way, specially formulated to apply like a concentrated moisturizer. UV Natural products can be purchased at REI retail stores, select outdoor and natural food stores, and online at Amazon. Prices for 5 oz. of the sunscreens offering the highest levels of protection and sensitivities average $30.00 USD.

JASON Naturals Sunbrellas Sun Block

JASON Naturals offers Sunbrellas, a line of chemical, fragrance, and paraben-free sun block. Each product is water resistant and does not contain alcohol, with options for children, family, adults, everyday use and sensitive skin. SPF intensities range from 20 to 46, with a wide range of intermediary options. Many of the Sunbrellas sun blocks also boast anti-aging and anti-oxidizing properties. The JASON's products are available as a lotion, spray, or a lip balm. Some of the products offer more holistic options, such as the Daily Block's protection against mosquitoes, deer ticks, and fleas. A 4 oz. bottle of a JASON Naturals sun block averages roughly $10.00 USD, and can be purchased online at the JASON Naturals as well as at other natural products retail stores such as US Organic.

Lavera

The Germany-based skin care company, Lavera, offers an all-natural line of sun protection products. Boasting organic, paraben-free, cruelty-free ingredients, Lavera specifically designs its products for sensitive skin and is the only cosmetics manufacturer that offers a complete system of body and skin care products for those living with allergies. This year, Lavera was ranked #1 in an Oeko-Test Magazine study on safe cosmetics, and the manufacturer was the first to produce 100% mineral-based sun defense. Lavera offers lip balm (SPF 15), a fun green Kids Sun Spray (SPF 25), an SPF 30 option for babies, an anti-aging lotion with SPF 20, and Family Sun Spray (SPF 15) as well as after sun and shimmering lotions. These waterproof products are perfect for consumers with the most sensitive skin. The sun blocks range from $25.00 to $33.00 USD for 6.6 oz., available online through Lavera and Amazon.

Aveeno Active Naturals

A more widely available line of natural sun protection is available from Aveeno Active Naturals. Aveeno's Continuous Protection and Baby Continuous Protection options come as sprays or lotions and boast natural soy proteins as well as Vitamins A, C, and E. The Aveeno formula offers the manufacturer's patented Active Photobarrier Complex, which maintains the sun blocks' protection over an extended period of time. The sun protection options range in SPF from 30 to 55, and there is a specific lotion available just for the face. The Baby Continuous Protection sun block is made of natural oatmeal to be as gentle as possible. Aveeno products can be found in major drugstores and general retailers like CVS, Walgreens, Wal-Mart, and Target, as well as online at Amazon and Drugstore.com, averaging about $9.00 USD for a 4 oz. bottle of sun protection.

Epicuren UV Protection

Epicuren boasts an Advanced Enzyme Technology that maintains the purest and most active and gentle ingredients throughout each of their skin care product lines. This holds true for their UV Protection line, the mainstay of which is the Zinc Oxide Sunscreen (SPF 20). This sunscreen contains 17% micronized zinc oxide in addition to organic aloe vera for skin hydration and other natural ingredients that promote anti-aging, anti-oxidizing, and free radical neutralizing properties. Epicuren also offers a broad spectrum sun protection lip balm (SPF 15) and Silk Mist (SPF 15), a waterborne alternative spray sunscreen perfect for daily use. The Epicuren X-Treme Cream (SPF 45) provides the company's strongest protection from sun and wind damage and is enhanced with Pure Brazilian Propolis, which supports the immune system and improves skin health. A 2.5 oz. bottle of Epicuren's Zinc Sunscreen runs $34.00 USD at the Skin Care Lab online store.

Vanicream Sunscreen

Vanicream Sunscreen, produced by Minnesota-based company Pharmaceutical Specialties, Inc., is made for consumers with very sensitive skin. Offering protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays through through micronized zinc oxide, Vanicream offers sunscreens for sensitive skin (SPF 30 and 60), for athletes (SP 35), and a lip protector (SPF 30). These broad-spectrum sunblocks are non-greasy, and are free of dyes, fragrances, preservatives, and PABA. Starting at $11.95 USD for a 4 oz tube, Vanicream offers one of the most affordable and natural forms of sun protection for sensitive skin. Purchase Vanicream Sunscreen online at Coolibar or Amazon.

Aubrey Organics Sunscreen

Aubrey Organics is a company that offers more than 140 natural hair, skin, and body care products. Established by Aubrey Hampton thirty years ago, he drew upon an extensive family background in herbalism to create products that are all-natural, free of petrochemicals and synthetics, and are healthy for both the human body and the earth. All of the Aubrey products are made with herbs, essential oils, and natural vitamins. Aubrey Organics boasts seven handcrafted sunscreens ranging from SPF 8 for tanning to SPF 25 for a more robust protection. The company also provides after sun care products made with aloe vera. The mainstay of the Aubrey sun care line is the Natural Sun SPF 25 Green Tea Protective Sunscreen. First made specifically for children (although it is not recommended for babies under six months of age) and now used by adults as well, this product uses titanium dioxide and PABA ester to protect from UVA and UVA sun rays, and the unique ingredient of antioxidizing organic Matcha green tea prevents damage from cancerous free radicals. Moisturizing joboa and shea butters make this sunscreen as soothing as it is defensive. Priced at $8.50 USD for a 4 oz. bottle, purchase this and other Aubrey products online at the Aubrey Organics website or Amazon, or search for a retail store in your area that carries the Aubrey line.

Caribbean Blue Natural Basics

Caribbean Blue Natural Basics is a company dedicated to creating all-natural herbal products to support healthy outdoor activities, sun and tanning protection, and natural living. The Caribbean Blue sunscreen line, as well as its line of insect repellents, are 100% natural. The Caribbean-based business was founded by two doctors in the field of naturopathic medicine who wanted to use only the best all-natural outdoor skin products on their first child. Caribbean Blue offers six sun shield sunscreens ranging in intensity from SPF 4 to SPF 15, using a new patented Z-cote natural zinc oxide ingredient in addition to tropical oils, botanical extracts, and antioxidant vitamins to protect against UVA and UVB rays and to nourish the skin. There is a general sunscreen as well as products geared specifically for babies athletes, and one sunscreen even repels insects. Caribbean Blue also boasts lip protection, after sun products, and tanning oils and moisturizers. Purchase Caribbean Blue products on the company's website, with most sunscreens running $11.95 US for a 4 oz. bottle.