No matter where you’re going this summer, sunscreen is one of the best ways to protect your skin from the sun. And if you’re jetting of for an exotic beach break, you’ll want one of the best reef-safe sunscreens, as some are so harmful to the environment that they might even be banned at your holiday destination.
In 2015, a study found that a widely used chemical UV filter in many sunscreens can harm oceans, coral reefs and marine life. Further research has also flagged other chemical filters as potentially damaging. A useful way to remember the main ones is the “three Os”: oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene, though there are additional ingredients of concern.
The problem is that, without a bit of research or checking the ingredients list, it’s quite hard to identify a genuinely eco-friendly formula. Don’t rely on “reef-safe” or “reef-friendly” labels either – these terms aren’t officially regulated, so they’re not always reliable. A safer option is to go for mineral sunscreens that use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide filters. These are also called physical sunscreens, as they sit on the skin’s surface and reflect UV rays rather than absorbing them like chemical filters.
Mineral sunscreens may also be better for your skin, explains Dr Adil Sheraz, consultant dermatologist: “Unlike chemical sunscreens, there is little chance of mineral products causing skin irritation – especially if you suffer from acne, eczema or sensitive skin.” That being said, not all mineral formulations are created equal. If you want an eco-friendly formula, you need to find non-nano or coated ingredients, as nanoparticles can also be toxic to the environment.
Mineral sunscreens have also had a reputation for leaving a white cast, but newer formulas are far more transparent. I know it can be confusing, but stick with me, as I’ve tested the best eco-friendly, reef-safe sunscreen options for you.
Read more: Best body sunscreens, tested
The best reef-safe sunscreens for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Pai British summer time illuminating sunscreen, SPF 30: £27.20, Lookfantastic.com
- Best budget option – Hawaiian Tropic mineral sun milk, SPF 30: £11.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best hydrating face sunscreen – Malin + Goetz SPF 30 sunscreen high protection: £33, Cultbeauty.co.uk
- Best for all the family – Green People scent-free sun cream, SPF 30: £33, Amazon.co.uk
Read more: Best face moisturisers with SPF, tested
Pai British summer time illuminating sunscreen, SPF 30
Rating: 5/5
Best: reef-safe sunscreen overall
SPF: 30
Size: 40ml
Why we love it
- Suitable for all skin types
- Illuminating finish
This is the second mineral sunscreen that’s been added to Pai’s incredible line-up of sensitive skin solutions but it has dialled up the glow in this one – making it ideal for anyone looking for a radiance boost. This comes courtesy of natural light-reflecting pigments called mica (ethically and sustainably sourced) that instantly illuminate the skin. So much so, it encouraged me to go make-up-free when using this SPF. Although, it’s actually a primer-SPF hybrid that’s formulated to pair well with make-up — I can confirm it does this incredibly well, too. Its light, non-greasy texture provides a smooth, even canvas for foundation that stays flawless, with no piling or blotching under coverage and is the best reef-safe sunscreen I’ve tested.
Buy now £27.2, Lookfantastic.com
Hawaiian Tropic mineral sun milk, SPF 30
Rating: 4/5
Best: budget reef-safe sunscreen
SPF: 30
Size: 100ml
Why we love it
- Lovely coconut fragrance
- Lightweight
- Water-resistant
One pump of this, like all Hawaiian Tropic products, transports you to a tropical paradise – if you’re a fan of coconut-fragranced products, this one is for you. The ultra-light, and (you guessed it) milky texture, disappears in an instant on the skin, leaving a mineral shield of zinc oxide to protect you from the sun. I was super impressed with this accessible, affordable and effective offering from the brand, and all without any ingredients harmful to the ocean and sea life. Pair it with the face formulation, for the perfect holiday duo.
Buy now £11.99, Amazon.co.uk
UpCircle SPF 25 mineral sunscreen
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: reef-safe refillable sunscreen
SPF: 25
Size: 60ml
Why we love it
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Eco-friendly packaging
- Refill scheme available
- Includes antioxidants
For a beauty brand with exceptional green credentials, turn to UpCircle’s collection of organic, vegan, cruelty-free formulas that use by-products from other industries and are housed in recyclable packaging. A stand-out product from the brand is this mineral face SPF that I found surprisingly lightweight, moisturising and super blendable, leaving no white cast behind.
Infused with upcycled raspberry seed oil that’s left over by the juicing industry, the formula is also high in antioxidants to fight free radical skin damage. What makes this even more eco-friendly than its competition is, if you send the glass jar back to the brand, it will refill it for £22.39.
Buy now £19.99, Amazon.co.uk
Ole Henriksen banana bright mineral sunscreen, SPF 30
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: reef-safe face sunscreen with vitamin C
SPF: 30
Size: 50ml
Why we love it
- Formulated to correct sun damage
- Lightweight
- Glowy finish
- Includes niacinamide and vitamin C
The banana bright eye cream and vitamin C serum from Ole Henriksen are so well-loved that I had high expectations for this new mineral SPF, but it still managed to exceed them. Perhaps it’s to be expected, when the UV filters are paired with powerhouse clinical-grade vitamin C in the formula: backed by science to not only protect skin from sun damage but correct it, too – making this is a powerful little tube.
It has a light, naturally zesty fragranced, and absorbs in an instant, without any ashy finish. Instead, it leaves behind a beautiful instant glow, thanks to its light-reflecting mineral pigments. It’s further enhanced with skin-hydrating and soothing niacinamide and aloe leaf juice. Meanwhile, vitamin C’s skin-brightening and rejuvenating abilities make this ideal for those concerned about dark spots or signs of ageing.
Buy now £29, Sephora.co.uk
Malin + Goetz SPF 30 sunscreen, high protection
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: reef-safe sunscreen for hydration
SPF: 30
Size: 50ml
Why we love it
- Moisturising formula
- Lightweight
- Absorbs quickly
- Works well under make-up
- Includes niacinamide and vitamin E
For those who like a pared-back routine, I found this mineral SPF so moisturising you could skip day cream and use it on its own during the summer months. The hydration comes courtesy of niacinamide and vitamin E, while antioxidants and non-nano zinc oxide work together to protect the skin. Super lightweight, the gel-cream formula absorbs in an instant and doesn’t leave any residue behind – making it ideal for all skin tones and types. I found it sits well underneath make-up, making it a great everyday base as well as one to pack for the beach.
Buy now £33, Cultbeauty.co.uk
Green People scent-free sun cream, SPF 30
Rating: 4/5
Best: reef-safe suncreen for all the family
SPF: 30
Size: 200ml (travel-size also available)
Why we love it
- Organic
- Fragrance-free
- Water-repellent
- Contributes to the Marine Conservation Society
Flying the flag for physical sun creams for many years, Green People has a superb mineral sunscreen offering, including this SPF 30, which is also certified organic. Just as the name suggests, its natural line-up is fragrance-free – a bonus for those with sensitive skin or those who suffer from inflammatory issues.
This formula is water-repellent, too, making it a great all-rounder if you’re looking for an option the whole family can use. Plus, I love that the brand gives 20p to the Marine Conservation Society for every bottle sold – a nice touch.
Buy now £33, Amazon.co.uk
Drunk Elephant umbra tinte physical daily defense, SPF 30
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: tinted reef-safe face sunscreen
SPF: 30
Size: 60ml
Why we love it
- Tinted and non-tinted versions available
- Includes antioxidants and marula oil
Take note
- Tinted version only comes in one shade, so won’t suit fair or dark skin tones
For the beauty-savvy, this brand needs no introduction. If it’s yet to cross your path, you should know the brand’s philosophy is that its skincare contains no nasties. It avoids what it calls “the suspicious six”: essential oils, drying alcohols, silicones fragrances/dyes, SLS and chemical sunscreens. It’s therefore a given, then, that the brand’s SPF offering is a mineral formula and a cracking one at that – leaving skin glowing, thanks to the added antioxidants and virgin marula oil for nourishment.
It comes in a tinted and non-tinted formula, of which I prefers the former – you’re likely to too, if you have a light to medium skin tone, as the tint allows you to skip applying coverage on top of the sunscreen. However, those with very fair or darker skin tones should stick to the non-tinted version.
Buy now £32, Boots.com
Ultrasun mineral body, SPF 30
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: reef-safe sunscreen for sensitive skin
SPF: 30 and 50
Size: 100ml
Why we love it
- Mattifying
- Protects against infrared-A and blue light
- Water-resistant
With more than 30 years in the sun cream business, Ultrasun has produced some outstanding SPF formulations over the years – including this mineral option. Simply work it into the body and watch it disappear, leaving a mattifying effect. Available in SPF 30 and SPF 50 versions, to protect you from skin-burning UVB rays, this product also provides a high UVA filter of 95 per cent, helping to guard against signs of ageing. On top of that, it promises to protect against infrared-A and blue light. This one covers all bases.
Buy now £28, Amazon.co.uk
Tatcha the silk sunscreen, SPF 50
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: lightweight reef-safe sunscreen
SPF: 50
Size: 50ml
Why we love it
- Weightless and transparent
- Pairs well under make-up
- Infused with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid
Take note
- Expensive (but worth it)
Tatcha has once again impressed me with its game-changing product innovation – this time developing a skincare-meets-mineral-SPF formulation that’s truly lightweight. The Japanese-US fusion brand does not exaggerate when it describes this formula as being “light as air”, and it provided my skin with nothing but comfort and a silky, soft-to-the-touch complexion with a radiant finish.
The formula is loaded with some of the best hydrating actives, such as hyaluronic acid, squalane and silk extract, which is further teamed with niacinamide to minimise the look of pores and to even the skin tone. I love it so much, I only marked it down due to its price tag but, to be honest, it’s so multitasking – essentially a moisturiser, SPF and primer all in one – it’s worth every penny.
Buy now £65, Spacenk.com
Antipodes supernatural SPF 50+ ceramide silk facial sunscreen
Rating: 4/5
Best: natural-origin reef-safe sunscreen
SPF: 50
Size: 60ml
Why we love it
- 100 per cent natural origin
- Boosted with skin-loving ceramides
Take note
- Initially a little white but rubs in
New Zealand organic skincare brand Antipodes prides itself as a scientific green beauty brand with an extensive selection of plant-powered and vegan products. The brand has just launched this broad-spectrum facial sunscreen that’s met one of the strictest standards for sunscreen protection in Australia, where only the best formulations are approved.
It gets my approval for many more qualities. It’s rich but non-greasy and may apply white but turns sheer, adding glow to the skin. This makes it sit well under make-up, without interfering with products on top. I also like that it’s enriched with skin-strengthening ceramides, to boost the skin barrier that sun exposure weakens.
Buy now £28, Lookfantastic.com
Attitude’s Sunly mineral sunscreen stick
Rating: 4/5
Best: Plastic-free sunscreen
SPF: 30
Size: 60g
Why we love it
- Easy to apply on the go
- Biodegradable packaging
Take note
- Does not claim its waterproof
Making its debut in the UK, Canadian sustainable personal-care brand Attitude has a range of vegan mineral sunscreen sticks housed in 100 per cent plastic-free, biodegradable cardboard tubes. There are face sticks to choose from (including a tinted version), and larger body sticks, including this unscented version, which is ideal for delicate skin and children, so the whole family can use it.
Initially, I was put off by the stick’s white colour, but it applied much sheerer and, once massaged in, offered white-cast free UVA and UVB protection while feeling nourishing for the skin. Apart from high eco credentials, what makes this product stand out is it offers a practical way to top up mess-free, as well as being easy to take on the go.
Buy now £17.9, Amazon.co.uk
Your questions about reef-safe sunscreen answered
What is the best reef-safe sunscreen
Reach for the Pai British summer time illuminating sunscreen for a daily facial sunscreen suitable for all skin types. It adds a lit-from-within healthy-looking glow to the skin as well as meeting all my eco credentials, making it my number-one choice.
How I tested reef-safe sunscreen
I used each reef-safe sunscreen over a minimum of five days to assess how well the latest eco-friendly formulas held up in real-life use. I looked at a number of factors in each product, including:
Why choose a reef-safe sunscreen?
“The biggest concern about SPFs for the planet is the pollution that it does to the oceans, thus affecting the ecosystem of these delicate environments,” explains Dr Ross Perry, medical director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics.
According to The Ocean Foundation, an estimated 14,000 tons of sunscreen is believed to be deposited in oceans annually, and it’s a big problem: protectants, preservatives and parabens found in chemical sunscreens, which wash off into the water, can endanger marine organisms and contribute towards coral bleaching.
What is a reef-safe sunscreen?
So, what should we be considering when opting for an eco-friendly or reef-friendly sunscreen? Well, the first thing worth noting is “reef-friendly” and “reef-safe” are not regulated terms. Generally speaking, though, eco-sunscreens are natural alternatives to traditional sunscreens: they are biodegradable and made of non-toxic ingredients, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which block the sun’s UV rays and include safe synthetic filters.
The most common mineral sun filters – zinc oxide and titanium dioxide – are known to leave a white cast, so, this can be an issue for darker skin tones, but with formulas becoming more advanced, a good rubbing in will usually make any white, chalky residue disappear.
Dr Perry also shares this useful piece of advice: “When looking for a coral-friendly sunscreen, ideally, you’re looking for ones that don’t have oxybenzone and octinoxate ingredients, as these are known to cause the most damage to coral reefs.”
You should look out for the SPF rating of at least 30 for UVB; HEV filters to protect against blue light, and, ideally, a five-star rating for UVA.
What are the skincare benefits of an eco-sunscreen?
“Eco-sunscreen is particularly suitable for people with sensitive skin or skin conditions such as eczema,” says Dr Lakhani, cosmetic doctor and skin care specialist at Harley Street’s Cranley Clinic. “Also, if you’re prone to sun rash or other issues like prickly heat, eco-sunscreen can be particularly beneficial.”
Which destinations have banned certain suncreams?
It’s estimated 14,000 tons of sun cream end up in the oceans each year (from people bathing and swimming), so, it’s understandable that several countries and US states have banned certain chemical sunscreens from entering their waters.
Tourist hotspots include Hawaii, Florida’s Key West, and parts of Thailand, Mexico and the Caribbean, to name a few. Some are even handing out big fines if you are caught using sunscreen with banned chemical filters, so, checking the guidelines for each destination is highly recommended. Switching to an eco-friendly formulation isn’t just a must if you’re lucky enough to be travelling to these places, but also if you don’t want to pollute your own water here at home or leave a trace wherever you’re travelling to.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Sabine Wiesel is a beauty journalist who specialises in skincare and beauty products. Having reviewed everything from the best neck creams to anti-aging creams and retinol eye creams, she is well-versed in finding the best value products for protecting skin.
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