Best Reef Safe Sunscreen for the money 2022
| Image | Name | Top Choices | Latest Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Sun Bum Original Moisturizing Sunscreen (SPF 50) | Our Favorite | Amazon |
 | 2. Thinksport Sunscreen SPF50+ | Premium Pick | Amazon |
 | 3. Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen Sensitive SPF 30+ | Great Value | Amazon |
 | 4. Kokua Sun Care SPF50 | Amazon | |
 | 5. Raw Elements Certified Natural Sunscreen (SPF30) | Amazon |
Pricing of these Reef Safe Sunscreens Range Between $15-$30
Sun Bum Original Moisturizing Sunscreen (SPF 50) Review
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For almost a decade, Sun Bum has been creating sun protection products that are not only effective but also safe to use. This SPF 50 lotion offers broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB. And, it’s made with a vegan and gluten-free formula that’s hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic as well.
Additionally, it is not only paraben and PABA-free but it also contains no oxybenzone and octinoxate — ingredients common to commercial sunscreen that have been proven to harm marine life. That means it’s 100% reef-friendly. However, it does contain Avobenzone which, while approved by the FDA, is potentially harmful when it comes into contact with chlorine.
Knowing that, it’s best to avoid it for use in swimming pools but should work perfectly well in any other outdoor activities. The Sun Bum Original Moisturizing Sunscreen (SPF 50) is enriched with Vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that doesn’t just moisturize your skin but also neutralizes free radicals. In fact, it has been tested and approved by the Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF).
But while it’s safe to use all over the body, some users have reported that it might be too harsh on facial skin. The Original Moisturizing Sunscreen by Sun Bum is free of oils, so it doesn’t feel greasy when you put it on. Plus, it doesn’t stain your clothes towels, and it doesn’t leave a chalky-white film on your skin.
It is also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so you can enjoy long hangouts by the water without having to reapply constantly. Lastly, it has a light coconut scent that isn’t overpowering but, instead reminds you of how summer should be.
Pros
- SPF 50
- Broad spectrum protection
- Vegan & Gluten-free formulation
- Hypoallergenic
- Non-comedogenic
- Paraben & PABA-free
- Reef-friendly
- Enriched with Vitamin E
- Tested and approved by the Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF)
- Oil-free & non-greasy
- Non-staining
- Water-resistant for 80 minutes
- Light coconut scent
Cons
- Best to avoid chlorinated swimming pools
- Best to avoid face
Thinksport Sunscreen SPF50+ Review
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The SPF50+ sunscreen by Thinksport isn’t just oxybenzone-free but avobenzone-free as well. Avobenzone is a chemical substance known to block UVA rays and, since it has been tested and declared as safe by the FDA, it is commonly used in many sunscreen products. However, Thinksport recognizes studies that avobenzone could potentially be toxic when it comes in contact with chlorine.
So to have a product that’s safe for use in all sorts of outdoor activities — including swimming pool use — Thinksport uses non-nano zinc oxide, which is a safe and equally effective mineral. In doing so, it is able to provide broad-spectrum protection in a way that’s guaranteed safe.
The Thinksport Sunscreen SPF50+ has a vegan and gluten-free formulation that’s developed and manufactured in a cruelty-free manner. Additionally, it is free of parabens, PABA, phthalates, and 1,4 dioxane. In fact, this sunscreen is the first to pass the stringent requirements of Whole Foods Premium Care, and it has consistently been top rated by the Environmental Working Group since 2010.
Thinksport has always been dedicated to providing products with no biologically harmful ingredients, and so this sunscreen is not only safe for human health but marine life as well. It is reef-safe and biodegradable. Plus, it’s non-greasy and water resistant for up to 80 minutes. So grab your surf fishing rod and hit the water knowing you’re doing everything you can to protect the waters you love!
Pros
- SPF 50+
- Oxybenzone-free
- Avobenzone-free
- Safe to use in chlorinated pool
- Vegan & gluten-free formulation
- Cruelty-free
- Free of parabens, PABA, phthalates, and 1,4 dioxane
- Approved by Whole Foods Premium Care
- Top rated by the Environmental Working Group
- Safe for marine life (Reef-safe)
- Biodegradable
- Non-greasy
- Water-resistant for 80 minutes
Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen Sensitive SPF 30+ Review
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The Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen in SPF 30+ is a zinc oxide-based lotion that’s safe for use at the pool, the beach, and other activities under the sun. Apart from zinc oxide, it’s active ingredients include titanium dioxide. Combined, the two minerals are able to provide broad-spectrum protection of up to 97% of the sun’s rays.
The formulation of the Sensitive sunscreen by Blue Lizard is free of Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, and Avobenzone. It is also free of parabens and fragrances. All that means you can trust it to be safe on your sensitive skin as well as on marine life. It is safe to use on the face, and it isn’t greasy or sticky like how other sunscreens could be. Additionally, it is water resistant for up to 40 minutes.
One of the features that sets Blue Lizard products apart is its trademarked Smart Bottle and Smart Cap technologies. The bottle that this sunscreen comes in turns blue when it is exposed to harmful UV rays. That serves as a fun yet effective reminder for you to apply it when you surely need it.
Pros
- SPF 30+
- Mineral-based (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide)
- Broad spectrum protection
- Free of Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, and Avobenzone
- Reef-safe
- Safe to use on the face
- Not greasy or sticky
- Water resistant for up to 40 minutes
- Bottle turns blue when exposed to UV rays
Kokua Sun Care SPF50 Review
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Kokua Sun Care SPF50 is a sunscreen lotion that uses non-nano zinc oxide as its active ingredient. It takes being reef-safe seriously and so does not contain any chemicals that have been known to harm marine life, not even those most commonly found in other sunscreens like octinoxate, oxybenzone, avobenzone, and homosalate. It doesn’t even have any parabens or chemical fragrances.
What the Kokua Sun Care SPF50 does have is 23 antioxidant ingredients, with 7 of them extracted from products proudly grown on Hawaii’s nutrient-rich volcanic soil. These include coffee fruit extract, macadamia nut oil, kukui nut oil, noni fruit juice, plumeria extract, noni honey, and spirulina.
In combination, all these ingredients provide potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits that serve to moisturize the skin, protect it from free radical damage, and rejuvenate it after harmful sun exposure.
Kokua Sun Care SPF50 offers broad-spectrum protection. Despite the natural oils it contains, it is non-greasy and goes on clear. It is water resistant for up to 80 minutes, safe for use on the face, and doesn’t sting the eyes as many commercial sunblocks do.
Pros
- SPF50
- Non-nano zinc oxide
- Reef-safe
- No octinoxate, oxybenzone, avobenzone, and homosalate
- No parabens or chemical fragrances
- 23 antioxidant ingredients
- Has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits
- Moisturizing
- Protects from free radical damage
- Rejuvenates skin
- Broad spectrum protection
- Non-greasy and goes on clear
- Water resistant for up to 80 minutes
- Safe for use on the face
- Doesn’t sting eyes
Raw Elements Certified Natural Sunscreen (SPF30) Review
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The Raw Elements Certified Natural Sunscreen (SPF30) was explicitly made to be used for both the face and body. Its active ingredient is non-nano zinc oxide, which allows it to provide broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB.
The other ingredients of this natural sunscreen by Raw Elements include Sunflower Oil, Green Tea, Black Tea, Coffee Bean, Hemp Seed Oil, Cocoa Butter, Mango Butter, Beeswax, Rosemary Oil Extract, and Vitamin E. All these work together to provide maximum skin protection and rejuvenation.
Additionally, it is not only reef-safe but also biodegradable and manufactured with cruelty-free practices. It is also #1 rated by the Environmental Working Group
This Face + Body sunscreen by Raw Elements is formulated with carefully chosen ingredients that are guaranteed to be non-GMO and free of soy, nuts, and gluten. It is water resistant for up to 80 minutes.
But, the downside to that water resistance is that it’s pretty thick and some people find it takes a bit more effort to spread it on. But, because of its consistency, it doesn’t run or sting the eyes even when you’re sweating, which is a pretty good compromise.
Pros
- Face + body formulation
- Non-nano zinc oxide
- Broad spectrum protection
- Other ingredients are all natural
- Reef-safe
- Biodegradable
- Cruelty-free
- #1 rated by the Environmental Working Group
- Non-GMO
- Free of soy, nuts, and gluten
- Water resistant for up to 80 minutes
- Doesn’t run
- Doesn’t sting eyes
Cons
- Thick consistency
