Of all the reasons that tarnish the beauty of skin, one that stands on top is long term sun exposure leading your skin to look flawed, poorly hydrated and aged. Wearing a natural sunscreen every time you step out in the sun can curtail this damage to a great extent.
But considering the composition of most sunscreens, you might do more harm to your skin rather than the benefits you might reap from them, especially if you apply them frequently.
And knowing the ill-effects of sunscreens loaded with toxic chemicals, it is instrumental to find a way to safeguard your skin health with a natural formulation designed to reflect the harsh UV rays and amp up skin’s natural defense mechanisms to ward off the harsh effects of sun exposure.
How to Use Sunscreen Safely?
Finding a sunscreen free from toxic chemicals is hard. Even if you do find a natural alternative, they’ll probably come with any one of these two derivatives:
(i) Titanium dioxide, or
(i) Zinc oxide
While these two ingredients are ideally deemed safe for topical application by the beauty industry, their extended use might become a reason for concern. This is because both these ingredients are known to possess carcinogenic activity, if they get into the airways.
Titanium dioxide is present in most make-up and personal care products. The added exposure to this toxic chemical in sunscreens can cause serious health complications in future.
Zinc Oxide exists naturally as zincite, a mineral from which it is sourced and is found to be much less damaging than Titanium dioxide, a key ingredient present in most sunscreen products advertised as natural and organic.
If you can find a sunscreen without any of these chemicals, it’s certainly a great investment, but they won’t be able to provide advanced sun protection to your skin. It’s best to stick to a sunscreen with zinc oxide and use it as recommended to counter the damage it might bring.
One more thing to note is that in recent years, zinc oxide is being added in sunscreens as nanoparticles, to make the formulations clear and reduce the chances of developing a whitish film on skin.
These nanoparticles, however safe they may sound as per technological standards, have been observed to reach the inner layers of the skin. But according to the medical standards their use is deemed safe if you limit the application of such sunscreens to just two-three times a day.
The mode of application and frequency of sunscreens loaded with ZnO plays a major role in determining their safety. To lessen the impact of ZnO on your skin and health, it is recommended to stay away from spray-on or powder sunscreens and use a sunscreen lotion or cream.
Top 13 Natural Sunscreen in India
1. RAS Solaris Ultra Light Daily Defense Sunscreen | SPF 50
On days when you have to stay out for hours altogether, opt for this sunscreen that maintains optimum moisture levels in your skin without any greasiness and prevents photo-aging, a phenomenon that results from over-exposure to summer sunlight.
Ingredients:
- Olive Squalane – Rosehip Oil – Red Algae Extract
- soamyl Laurate – Sodium PCA – Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters
- Kaolin Clay – Xanthan Gum-Propylene
- Glycol – Bis – Ethylhexyloxyphenol – MethoxyphenylTriazine – Benzyl Alcohol
- Capryloyl Glycerin – Methylene-Bis-Benzotriazolyl-Tetramethylbutylphenol
- Beet Root Extract-Heptyl Undecylenate
- Glycerin-Hydrolyzed Corn Starch-Arachidyl Glucoside
- Sodium Gluconate-Ethylhexylglycerin
- Lavender – Boswellia – Lemon Oil
Why we recommend this product:
- Offers broad spectrum UV protection
- Soothes sunburn
- Gets easily absorbed
- Zero white cast
- Non-greasy
- Lightweight
- Suits all skin types
- Leaves skin supple &well moisturized
- Non-comedogenic
- Cruelty free
- 100% Natural
- Toxin-free
Best Suited for:
- Sensitive, oily & acne-prone skin
What’s not good:
- Fails to retain moisture in skin prone to drying
2. Forest Essentials Sun Fluid Tender Coconut Water with Turmeric & Basil Leaf | SPF 50
A sunscreen that offsets the occurrence of tissue damage brought on by ultra violet rays and bestows your skin with the goodness of herbs and natural elements that build a natural barrier on skin to halt the damage of sun exposure.
Ingredients:
- Coconut Water – Aloe Vera Gel
- Basil leaf – Turmeric extract
- Cucumber Fruit Extract
- Green Tea – Saffron Essential Oil
- Olive Fruit Oil – Sweet Almond Kernel Oil
- Coconut Oil – Marigold Flower Extract – Basil Leaf Extract
- Aloe Vera Leaf Extract – Turmeric Extract – GreenTea Leaf Extract
- Base Contains Aqua
- Tapioca Starch – Cetearyl Alcohol – Glyceryl Monostearate – Isopropyl Myristate – Glycerin
- Propanediol (Ecocertified Humectant)
- Octocrylene – Avobenzone – Hyaluronic Acid – Tocopheryl Acetate (VitaminE)
- Disodium EDTA – Xanthan Gum Raw Honey – Evening Primrose Oil – Yasad Bhasma
- Ethylhexylglycerin -Caprylyl Glycol – Hexylene Glycol
Why we recommend this product:
- Sun protection feature lasts upto 6 hours
- Contains Zinc oxide
- Hydrating & soothing
- Gets easily absorbed
- No white cast
- Keeps skin cool in summers
- Prevents irritation
- Non-greasy
- No presence of chemicals, Parabens or Petrochemicals
What’s not good:
- Strong fragrance
- A little drying for moisture-less skin
3. Neemli Naturals Naturals Mattifying Sunscreen | SPF 50
If you are finding a product that naturally uplifts skin texture and helps lock-in moisture and nutrients with the added benefit of advanced sun protection, then this sunscreen crafted from all-organic ingredients is all you need to sail through the summer season.
Ingredients:
- Licorice, Fenugreek – Aloe Leaf extracts
- Fenugreek extract – Hyaluronic Acid
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Aqua – Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice – Glycerin
- Titanium Dioxide – Water – Ethylhexylmethocinnamate
- Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
- Benzophenone-3 – Phospholipids Butylene Glycol
- Dimethicone, Hydrolyzed Trigonella Foenum – Graecum Seed Extract
- Glycyrrhiza Glabra Extract – Carbomer – Tocopheryl Acetate
- Squalane – Phytosterols – Allantoin – Sylimarin Extract – Hyaluronic Acid – Disodium EDTA – Water
- Sodium Levulinate – Potassium
- Sorbate,Essential Oils Blend
Why we recommend this product:
- Reverses skin damage
- Calms irritated, sunburnt skin
- Treats inflammation
- Does not clog pores
- Enriched with broad spectrum SPF
- Safe for sensitive skin
- Fragrance free
- No presence of Pthalates, Parabens & Sulphates
- 100% Organic
- Cruelty free
Best Suited For:
- Acne- prone, sensitive skin
What’s not good:
- Contains Titanium dioxide
- Leaves skin feeling dry
4. Organic Harvest Sunscreen | SPF 50
This sunscreen is a game changer that instantly transforms dull, uneven skin with a pool of regenerating elements, helping to banish the effects of extended sun-exposure, pollutants and blue light from digital devices on skin.
Ingredients:
- Kakadu Plum – Acai Berry – Chia Seeds – Aloe Leaf extract
- Aqua – Organic Kakadu Plum Extract – Acai Berry Extract
- Chia Seed Oil – Certified Glycine Soybean Oil – Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate – Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract – Oryza Sativa (Rice)
- Germ Extract (Blue Oleoactif) – Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
- Octyldodecanol – Cetearyl Olivate – Sorbitan Olivate –
- Certified Zinc Oxide – Organic Glycerine – Certified Xanthan Gum
- Certified Preservatives – Fragrance
Why we recommend this product:
- Lightens spots, scars and blemishes
- Heals sun damage
- Balances sebum
- Offers long term sun-protection
- 100% Certified Organic
- Paraben-free
- Silicon-free
- Sulphate-free
- 100% Responsible & Sustainable.
Best Suited For:
- All skin types
What’s not good:
- Fails to effectively hydrate skin
- Translucent finish that only hides scars but does not heal them
- Strong fragrance is a put-off
- Contains Zinc Oxide
Note: Try Organic Harvests sunscreens formulated for non-oily skin types to get better results
5. Brillare Natural Mineral Sunscreen
Sunscreen | SPF 50
This humble sunscreen is everything you need to sustain the effects of hours-long sun-exposure, minus any kind of stickiness developing on your face. A perfect remedy to retain your natural complexion and suppleness even when you stay for hours out in the sun.
Ingredients:
- Acacia Spheres – Sweet Almond – Canola Flower Extract
- Aqua – Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate – Octocrylene
- Ethylhexyl Silicate – Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
- Benzophenone-3 – Butylated Hydroxytoluene – Glyceryl Monostearate
- Cetyl Alcohol – C13-15 Alkane
- Niacinamide – Glycerin
- Cetomacrogol 1000 – Caprylic/capric Triglyceride – Shea Butter – Titanium Dioxide – Silica
- Dimethicone – Soy Lecithin – Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil
- Copolymer – Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer – Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium
- Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer – Phenoxyethanol, Capryloyl Glycine
- Undecylenoyl Glycine – Melanin – Citric Acid Monohydrate
- Disodium Edta, Perfume
Why we recommend this product:
- Expertly shields skin from severe sun damage
- Deeply moisturises skin
- Water-resistant
- Blue light protection
- Matte finish
- Skin soothing & repairing
- Evens skin tone
- Chemical-frre
- Non-comedogenic
- CERTIFIED 100% Natural
- No side effects
- 100% vegan
Best Suited For:
- Moisture-less, skin
What’s not good:
- Contains Zinc oxide & micronized Titanium oxide
- Might clog pores, so has to be effectively cleansed
- Takes time to get absorbed
6. Imroz Sunscreen by Ananta Hemp Works | SPF 30
Get the best natural sun-protection with this sunscreen enriched with the goodness of organically sourced Hemp seed oil that helps boost skin’s natural defense system to endure the effects of UV rays, all while maintaining requisite sun-protection levels that last through the day.
Ingredients:
- Hemp Seed Oil – Green Tea Extract
- Lactic Acid – Aqua
- Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate – Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate – Sodium Gluconate
- Titanium Di Oxide – Oxothiazolidine Glycerin
- Green Tea Extract – Ammonium Acryloyldi – Methylta Urate/Vp Copolymer – Phenoxyethanol Ethylhexylglycerin
- Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
- Cyclopentasiloxane – Dimethicone – Water – Polysilicone-11 – Butylene Glycol – Decyl Glucoside
- Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
- Octocrylene – Ethylhexyl Salicylate
- Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane Benzophenone-3 – Sodium Lactate – Lactic Acid
Why we recommend this product:
- Hemp oil helps soothe, hydrate & repair skin
- Advanced sun-protection
- Lightens scars & blemishes
- Treats signs of ageing
- Suits all skin types
- Sun-protection effect lasts for around 3-4 hours
- Non-greasy
- Good for daily use
- Quick absorbing
- Certified GMO-free
- Cruelty-free
- 100% Gluten & Paraben-free
- Soy-free
Best Suited For:
- Wrinkle-prone skin
What’s not good:
- Sun protection factor is too less
- Needs reapplication for protection from noon-time sunrays
7. Vilvah Melt-In-Milk Sunscreen | SPF 50
This sunscreen is specifically curated to deal with skin that frequently suffers from acne with three special UV filters that promise to keep your skin in good health and pose no risk of irritation or clogging.
Ingredients:
- Carrot Seed Extract – Apricot Extract
- Basil Extract – Soy Milk Extrac
- Aqua – Tinosorb M – Tinosorb S
- Zinc Micronised – Carrot Seed extract – Apricot extract – Basil extract
- Soy milk extract – Sodium benzoate – Potassium sorbate
Why we recommend this product:
- Contains Safe UV filters Tinozorb M, Tinozorb S and Micronized Zinc
- Soothes sun-burnt, irritated skin
- Treats inflammation
- Cools skin
- Water-free
- Acts on wrinkles & creases
- No white cast
- Fragrance free
- Certified Organic
- Cruelty- free
- Chemical- free
- Silicon free
- Mineral oil free
Best Suited For:
- Acne-prone skin
What’s not good:
- A little overpriced
8. Just Herbs No Sun Moisturizing Sun Protection Gel | SPF 35+
This sunscreen cleverly guards your skin with a breathable coating that allows your skin to recover from sun-damage, yet keep its color and vibrance intact. A complete summer skin essential that goes a long way in helping your skin recuperate from the ill-effects of prolonged sun-exposure.
Ingredients:
- Wheat Germ Oil – Grapeseed Oil
- Aloe Leaf Juice – Green Tea
- Vetiver Extract – Jojoba Oil
- Zinc oxide – Shea Butter – Soy lecithin – Psoralea seed extract
- Yashad (tine aide) 8% – Titanium dioxide (non – nano) 8%
- Purified water (aqua) – Cetearyl olivate – Vegetable glycerine -Octyldodecanol – Sorbitan olivate
- Caprylyl glycol – Potassium sorbate – Guconolactone – sodium gluconate – Ethylhexylglycerin
- Natural preservative blend of herbs and essential oils
Why we recommend this product:
- Does not contain nano particles
- Evenly moisturizes skin
- Prevents wrinkle formation
- Ayurvedic formulation
- Safe for all skin types
- No-white cast
- Non-greasy
- Paraben free
- Sulfate free
- No-animal testing
Best Suited For:
- Normal to dry skin
What’s not good:
- Feels a little sticky at first, but adjusts well a few moments later
- Takes a bit longer to get fully absorbed
Price: 795.00 INR
9. Daughter Earth Sunnydip Mineral Sunscreen | SPF 35, PA+++
This pleasingly refreshing sunscreen has the right consistency to meet the needs of your skin amid blazing heat. Inspite of its featherlight nature, it let’s your skin stay hidden from harsh sun rays and naturally works to lighten the appearance of sun-spots.
Ingredients:
- Amazonian Babassu Oil ( Ethically sourced from Amazon rainforests) – Chamomile Extract
- Rose & Mulberry Extract – Red Algae – Vitamin C
- Pomegranate extract – Hyaluronic Acid
- Aqua – Zinc Oxide – Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride – Glyceryl Isostearate
- Polyhydroxystearic Acid -1,3-Propanediol – Trehalose
- Glyceryl Stearate Citrate – Mulberry Root Extract – (Babassu) Seed Oil
- Silica -Carrot Seed Oil – Sodium Acrylates Copolymer – Lecithin
- Rosa Indica (Rose) Oil – Phenoxyethanol -Ethylhexylglycerin
- Lauryl Olivate – Polyacrylate-13/Polyisobutene/Polysorbate-20 – 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
- Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
- Cetostearyl Alcohol – Glycerin – Porphyridium Cruentum Extract
- Citric Acid – Palmitoyl Glycine – Betaine – Sodium Pca
- Sodium Lactate – Pca – Serine – Alanine – Glycine – Glutamic Acid
- Lysine Hcl – Threonine, Arginine -Proline – Sodium Hyaluronate
Why we recommend this product:
- Contains Zinc Oxide
- Exotic ingredient combination
- Silky texture
- Reverses skin ageing
- Reduces appearance of scars & blemishes
- Suits all skin types
- Silicon free
- 100% Vegan
- Cruelty free
Best Suited For:
- Wrinkly, aged skin
What’s not good:
- Low SPF
- Fails to address moisturization needs of dry skin
10. Arata Sunscreen Gel | SPF 50
This sunscreen harnesses the skin-protecting power of plant extracts to keep it feeling fresh, light and breezy all through the day minus any oily residues.
Ingredients:
- Pomegranate Extract – Carrot Seed Extract
- Raspberry Seed Oil – Aloe Vera Extract
- Shea Butter – Aqua – Isopropyl Myristate (Natural Emollient) – Glycerol (Vegetable Glycerin)
- Zinc Oxide (Broad Spectrum UV Reflector) – Titanium Dioxide (UV Filtering Ingredient)
- Sorbitan Olivate – Sunflower Oil – Carnauba Wax) – Almond Oil
- Sulisobenzone (UV Filtering Ingredient) – Sodium Gluconate (Natural Chelating Agent)
- Sodium Benzoate (Natural Preservative) •
- Potassium Sorbate (Naturally Occurring Preservative) – Safe Essential Oil.
Why we recommend this product:
- Contains Zinc Oxide & Titanium dioxide
- Provides intensive sun protection
- Reverses aging
- Promotes skin renewal
- Suits all skin types
- Deeply moisturizing
- Lightweight
- All natural
- Toxin Free
- Cruelty Free
- Vegan
Best Suited For:
- Dull, wrinkly skin
What’s not good:
- Hydration effect begins to wear out after a a certain length of time
11. Nature’s Co. Red and Green Tea Sunscreen Lotion | SPF 15
For everyday sun-protection, this sunscreen comes with just the right levels of UVA UVB protection that keep your skin protected from the visible damage caused by sunlight and blue-rays while remaining indoors.
Key Highlights:
- Red & Green tea extract
- Olive oil
- Vitamin E
- Aloe Vera extract
- Sesame oil
- Grape seed oil
Why we recommend this product:
- Perfect for indoor sun-protection
- Hydrating and uplifting
- Visibly reduces pigmentation marks, scars and spots
- Prevents crease formation
- Quick absorbing
- Suits all skin types
- Natural ingredients
- Cruelty free
- Chemical free
- Vegan
Best Suited For:
- Combination & wrinkly skin
Whats’not good:
- Feels a bit drying at first but once it settles into skin it leaves it feeling well moisturized
12. Tasya Radiance Sunscreen | SPF 50
This sunscreen features among the very few sunscreens that hold on to skin even after sweating to make it protected and stable in the sweltering summer season.
Key Ingredients:
- Kakadu Plum
- Avocado & Papaya Extracts
- Vitamin C
- Olive Leaf Extract
- Hyaluronic Acid
Why we recommend this product:
- Great for day-long sun protection
- Reverses aging
- Lightens scars
- Translucent finish
- Safe for all skin types
- No nasty chemicals
- Non-irritating
- Water resistant
- Cruelty free
- Petroleum, Sulphate & Paraben free
- Chemical free
- Vegan
Best Suited For:
- Non-oily, acne prone skin
Whats’not good:
- Leaves a little residue
13. Sandiva Tinted Mineral Sunblock | SPF 35
This sunscreen facilitates light coverage for skin having unappealing scars, freckles or sun spots with its tinted formula that blends perfectly with your skin tone, helping to give your face a flawless, glowing finish without any excess sebum depositing on your face.
Key Ingredients:
- Sandalwood Dust
- Iron Oxide
Why we recommend this product:
- Contains 24% Zinc Oxide
- Ethically sourced ingredients
- Offers medium level sun-,protection
- Available in Four different shades
- Satin-like finish
- Tinted coverage
- Suits all skin types
- Can be safely reapplied if there is sweating
- Cruelty free
- Paraben free
- Sulfate free
- Vegan
Best Suited For:
- All skin types
What’s not good:
- Can get washed away with sweating
- Has to be paired with a moisturizing lotion or serum to prevent premature moisture-loss
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is it important to wear sunscreen?
A sunscreen is almost as essential as a moisturizer to prevent your skin from losing moisture and becoming tanned especially when it is exposed to sunlight or damaging blue light of smartphones or tablets.
The ultra violet rays of sunlight find a way to reach your skin even when you stay indoors and if you fail to follow a regular skin care regime that has some amount of Sun-protection in it, these rays can cause trouble to your skin in many ways.
And when you venture out in the sun, your skin gets directly exposed to harsh sunlight leading your skin to become freckled or develop issues like premature aging, acne, scars, sun-spots and pigmentation.
2. Are natural sunscreens effective?
Natural sunscreens are generally mineral based with either Zinc Oxide or Titanium oxide as sun shielders that can expertly deal with harsh sun rays to help curb the damage meted out on skin. For safest sun-protection, go with a sunscreen with Zinc Oxide that poses minimal risk to skin health, compared to Titanium dioxide on prolong use.
3. What is the best way to use a sunscreen? What other benefits can you reap from them?
A sunscreen should be applied as a last step to your daily skincare ritual, and before using a sunscreen, always remember to deeply cleanse your skin with a skin-soothing cleanser or face wash to prevent impurities from taking up space inside your skin pores that might turn into acne.
A good, natural sunscreen not only works to protect your skin from sun-damage but also helps to seal-in skin moisture and prevents further moisture loss when exposed to harsh UV rays.
Always check the instructions mentioned in the product itself to know when you can re-apply them to guarantee long-term sun protection.
If you have skin issues like acne, scars or ageing skin, you can choose a sunscreen that is formulated with natural ingredients that help to solve these skin issues individually.
4. Which type of sunscreen should I use?
The best sunscreen for you is the one that addresses your specific skin concerns. For oily skin, you have to be careful in selecting a product that contains ingredients that do not cause pore clogging or any irritating chemicals that run a risk of causing acne on prolonged use.
If you have dry skin, choose a sunscreen that can effectively nourish your skin and hydrate it without extra greasiness.
For skin prone to early ageing, a sunscreen fortified with plant-derived anti-oxidants work best.
Also Read – 10 Affordable Skincare Brands for a chemical-free skin care routine!
