Sunscreen Sprays are mostly loved by moms, because when you have impatient kids that just want to run into the water, you want to add sunscreen on the kids as fast as possible, and sprays seem to do that job pretty fast and well.
Even though most of the sprays state to wait 15 minutes before going into the water, I noticed they do work as soon as they dried on the skin, but if you can, definitely apply them early. Sprays ingredients acts as a mirror by reflecting UV radiations with Zinc/ Titanium oxide without penetrating into skin deep. Zinc oxide protects against UVA and UVB radiations without degrading when exposed to UV rays, so they definitely work for a long period of time.
When you shop for nontoxic mineral sunscreen spray, check out these 12 Ingredients to Avoid in Sunscreen:
- Oxybenzone: Found in many chemical sunscreen products, enters the bloodstream & circulates into different organ systems. LInked to hormone and endocrine disruption. Causes allergies and photo-allergies, and can be harmful to environmental systems it is introduced into.
- Octinoxate: An organic UV filter, absorbs into the bloodstream and causes hormonal disruptions to the metabolic and thyroid systems and other endocrine targets when absorbed in high amounts. Can cause allergic reactions, and is harmful when introduced into environments.
- Homosalate: A common ingredient in SPF that absorbs UV rays. Causes hormonal disruption and breakdown into toxic byproducts in high concentrations.
- Octocrylene: Neutralizes UV rays from the sun. Absorbs into the skin in amounts that are above the FDA’s recommended limit.
- Avobenzone: Used to block UVA rays. Can destabilize & break down when exposed to sunlight. This can cause allergic reactions, endocrine reactions, and block testosterone when absorbed in high amounts.
- Dioxybenzone: Used in cosmetic products that also provide UV protection. Leads to endocrine disruption.
- Ensulizole: Can cause the release of free radicals or reactive oxygen species. These are damaging to DNA, nerve cells, and other body systems.
- Meradimate: Can release free radicals or reactive oxygen species when exposed to light.
- Octisalate: An organic UV filter that can cause allergic contact dermatitis in high concentrations. There is also evidence suggesting that it has endocrine effects.
- Padimate O: Can cause allergic dermatitis and photosensitivity issues. Can also cause the release of reactive oxygen species, or free radicals, which cause DNA damage, nerve cell injuries, and health issues.
- Sulisobenzone: Can cause skin and eye irritation, as well as endocrine disruption. Allows for deeper penetration of other chemicals. (this chemical is not often absorbed in high amounts by the skin).
- Cinoxate: Absorbs UV rays & stabilizes other ingredients. Is often in sunscreens at amounts above the recommended limit.
Look for words like MINERAL and REEF SAFE when you shop for your new sunscreen, right now there are many on the market but they are mixed up with he bad ones on the shelves. Also if you buy from the babies and kids section, you might find them faster!
in 2024, I’ve noticed few more brands improving their sprays and removing some ingredients that were damaging the ocean reef and it’s habitants, but they are also healthier for us, so that makes me really happy. Be careful to read the main ingredients on any spray sunscreen you buy, because the same brand that makes a mineral sunscreen, makes also others that are not! so pay attention to that. There are no FDA ORGANIC Sprays yet, but I hope we will shortly get there.
I’ve decided to list from most affordable to most luxurious sunscreen sprays, because busy mom’s might look for this affordable options first that they might find while groceries shopping, so here we go:
UP & UP Mineral Sunscreen Spray $16.49 (also @ Walmart.com)
Local Target shoppers, grab this sunscreen because they they really affordable and sell like hotcakes!
SUN BUM Mineral Spray Sunscreen – SPF 30 $17.99
If you like shopping at Ulta, grab this sunscreen and stay away from the other versions of Sun Bum that don’t come even close where it comes to the ingredients.
SOLARA SUNCARE Go! Mineral Defense SPORT Superfruit + Aloe Sunscreen Mist, SPF 30 $18
Also available at Target this affordable sunscreen might become your new favorite since the price is low.
ALL GOOD Sport Sunscreen Spray Water Resistant – SPF30 $18.69
Another cool find at Target at an amazing price.
ALL GOOD Kids Sunscreen Spray Water Resistant – SPF 30 $18.69
If you can’t find the green version, grab the red version that works for the whole family at Target!
ALBA BOTANICA Fragrance Free Sheer Mineral SPF30 Sunscreen Spray $18.99
Also on Amazon, only this version of Alba Botanica has good clean ingredients, so stay away from the other versions! I’ve noticed not all products from this brand are created equal, so get only this one.
F.A.E. by Thrive Market Mineral Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 $19.99
Certified B Corporation, leaping bunny certified, plastic neutral certified, fragrance free, gluten free, aade with non-nano zinc oxide & soothing botanicals, water resistant up to 80 minutes, absorbs well with no greasy residue but it does leave a white cast if you don’t rub fast in your skin, since the formula dries quite quickly. Cruelty-free & reef-friendly.
BARE REPUBLIC Mineral Sunscreen Spray $19.99
Find this amazing sunscreen at Grove and also Amazon in vanilla coco scent!
BABO BOTANICALS SPF30 Sheer Zinc Continuous Spray, Fragrance Free $20.99
I think Babo Botanicals was my first ever mineral spray that I’ve purchased for me and my family and it’s also a Detox Market favorite if you like to shop for nontoxic beauty and more there! Find it also at Ulta , Amazon
BABO BOTANICALS Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Spray-SPF50 $21.99
The SPF 50 version of this Babo Botanical sunscreen can give you piece of mind if you plan to spend a long time by the beach, pool or just simply sun soaking! Shop it also on Amazon , Target , Ulta
MUSTELA Mineral Baby Sunscreen Spray – SPF 50 $21.99
I came acros this brand after I had my son, in the baby isle products, and they always had a gentle line of products for new moms and babies.No wonder Target has this one as well, but also Walmart
MyCHELLE Sun Shield Clear Spray SPF 30 $21.99
Another clear spray that is 80 minutes resistant, Reef Safe, Peta Approved, Vegan and Clean Label Certified that will give you and your family peace of mind with each use. Also available on Amazon
RAW ELEMENTS SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Spray $24.99
For my outdors lovers, find this amazing brand at REI and also on Amazon.
COOLA Mineral Body Organic Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 – Fragrance-Free $32
Stay away from the other Coola sprays since they are not formulated the same! this one 70% ORGANIC similar to others, but the ingredients are simpler and cleaner so is definitely worth the price! Also on Amazon
100%PURE Yerba Mate Mist SPF 30 $38
An old favorite and made with simple and effective ingredients that give me piece of mind!
BEAUTYCOUNTER Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Mist SPF 30 $39
If you are a Beautycounter fan, you have to know that this sunscreen spray is super clean and effective.
CHANTECAILLE Seascreen Spray SPF30 $72
If you are looking for the most luxurious and expensive spray of them all, spend all your money on this one while you’r also supporting the ocean life + more. Chantecaille is making a donation to WildAid Marine to support their protected coral reef in Tanzania, home to sea turtles, dolphins, manta rays, and other endangered species. Shop it at SkinStore ,Neiman Marcus , Bergdorf Goodman , Bloomingdales , Saks Fifth Avenue , Nordstrom
LAURA BRUJ 