Cruelty Free SPF & Sunscreens | A Complete Guide

Concerns related to overexposure to the sun have been tirelessly discussed but there is still so much controversy around this subject that we have decided to sum up the important points. Why is it important to wear a sunscreen? The difference between UVA, UVB and UVC? What is the difference between mineral and physical sunscreens? What is vitamin D deficiency and is it related to wearing a sunscreen? And why is it important to choose an SPF by cruelty free and sustainable brands.

We believe that with so much misinformation about SPF and sunscreens it is critical to receive information from official and trusted sources. Cancer Research UK, The British Association of Dermatologists, Harvard Medical School and The American Academy of Dermatology are the most trustworthy platforms which cover two slightly different views on SPF and sunscreens, a European view and an American view. Please visit their websites should you wish to read further, more in-depth information on this subject.

Historically the ingredients used in SPF products have been tested on animals more than in any other cosmetic category. One of the main reasons is that this category of products in America is considered to be a drug and therefore needs to comply with different rules and regulations compare to other cosmetics.

UVA, UVB, UVC

UV radiation from the sun is transmitted in three wavelengths – UVA, UVB and UVC but UVC does not penetrate the earth’s atmosphere.
UV irradiation in the form of UVA is associated with skin ageing. UVA protection in a sunscreen will help defend the skin against photo ageing and potentially skin cancer.
UVB is the form of UV irradiation most responsible for sunburn and has strong links to malignant melanoma and basal cell carcinoma risk (types of skin cancer). A sunscreen with a high SPF (sun protection factor) will help block UVB rays and prevent the skin from burning, and by extension damage that can cause skin cancer.
bad.org.uk

Chemical (mineral) vs Physical sunscreens

Chemical sunscreens work like a sponge, absorbing the sun’s rays. They contain one or more of the following active ingredients: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, and octinoxate. These formulations tend to be easier to rub into the skin without leaving a white residue.
Physical sunscreens work like a shield, sitting on the surface of your skin and deflecting the sun’s rays. They contain the active ingredients zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. Opt for this sunscreen if you have sensitive skin.
aad.org

How much SPF do you need

The SPF value is calculated based on people applying 2mg of sunscreen for every square centimetre of skin. This means that people need around 35ml (a large shotglass or two tablespoonfuls) to cover their entire body.
cancerresearchuk.org

Vitamin D deficiency & SPF products

Sunscreen prevents sunburn by blocking UVB light. Theoretically, that means sunscreen use lowers vitamin D levels. But as a practical matter, very few people put on enough sunscreen to block all UVB light, or they use sunscreen irregularly, so sunscreen’s effects on vitamin D might not be that important. An Australian study that’s often cited showed no difference in vitamin D between adults randomly assigned to use sunscreen one summer and those assigned a placebo cream.
health.harvard.edu

Important to remember

No sunscreen can provide complete protection from the sun. This means that in strong sunlight, or for long exposures, they need to be used together with other protective measures like clothing or shade.
cancerresearchuk.org

Cruelty Free UK put together a list of cruelty free brands which either exclusively produce cruelty free SPF products and sunscreens or offer SPS products as part of their range alongside other cosmetics. These brands do not test their products on animals, do not commission third parties to test on their behalf, do not work with the non cruelty free suppliers and do not sell their products in mainland China. Should you wish to learn more about the brands, their certifications, origin etc. click on the brand and you will be directed to brand’s page.

Cruelty Free SPF Brands & Top SPF Products

Brand	Best for	Top Rated Product
100% Pure	face, body	100% Pure Yerba Mate Mist SPF 30
3Lab	face, body	3Lab Perfect Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50
A∙True	face	A∙True Black Tea All Day Long Sun Cream SPF 50
Able Skincare	face	Able Skincare Pro Defence+ Anti-Pollution Avocado Day Moisturiser SPF 15
Académie Scientifique de Beauté	face, body	Académie Scientifique de Beauté Spray For Sun Intolerant Skin SPF 50+
Acorelle	face, body, baby	Sun Spray SPF 30
Acure	face, body	Acure Radically Rejuvenating Day Cream SPF 30
Aesop	face, body	Aesop Protective Facial Lotion SPF 25
Alastin Skincare	face	Alastin Skincare Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30
Alba Botanica	face, body	Fragrance Free Clear Spray SPF 50
Alchimie Forever	face, body	Alchimie Forever Protective day cream SPF 23
Alkemilla	face, body	Alkemilla Protective Solar Oil SPF 15
Alteya Organics	face, body, baby	Alteya Organics Organic Rose Face Sunscreen SPF 30
Alumier Md	face	Alumier Md Sheer Hydration SPF 40 Untinted
Amie	face	Amie Skin Shield Daily Moisturiser SPF 15
Anne Semonin	face	Anne Semonin Oligo Protect Cream SPF 30
Annemarie Börlind	face, body	Annemarie Börlind Anti-Aging Sun Cream SPF 50
Antipodes	face, body	Antipodes Immortal Skin-Brightening Face & Body Moisturiser SPF 15
Arbonne	face	ABC Arbonne Baby Care Sunscreen SPF 30
ARK Skincare	face	ARK Skincare Skin Protector Primer SPF 30
Aromatica	face	Aromatica Aloe Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Asap Skin Products	face, body	asap skin products moisturising daily defence SPF 50
Attitude	face, body, baby	ATTITUDE Kids Mineral Sunscreen Face Stick SPF 30
Aveda	face, body	Aveda Daily Light Guard™ Defense Fluid Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Avril	face	Avril Face Sunscreen SPF 30
Babo Botanicals	face, body, baby	Babo Botanicals Sheer Zinc Continuous Spray Sunscreen SPF 30
Badger	face, body, baby	Badger Clear Zinc Unscented Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
Balance Me	face	Balance Me Natural Protection Moisturiser SPF 25
Bali Body	body	Bali Body Pineapple Tanning Oil SPF 15
Bare Republic	face, body	Bare Republic Mineral Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
bareMinerals	face	bareMinerals Prime Time™ Bb Primer-cream Daily Defense SPF 30
Beauty Kitchen	face	Beauty Kitchen Raw Inventions Mineral Shield SPF 30
Beauty Pie	face	Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin™ Ultralight Uva/uvb SPF 25
Benton	face	Benton Papaya-S Sun Cream SPF 50
Biossance	face	Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
Blue Lizard Sunscreen	face, baby	Blue Lizard Sunscreen Regular Mineral-based Sunscreen SPF 30
Bondi Sands	body	Bondi Sands Protect & Tan Tanning Oil SPF 15
Botanics	face	Botanics Dehydrated & Sensitive Skin Hydration Burst Day Lotion SPF 15
Bulldog	face	Bulldog Protective Moisturiser SPF 15
Carmex	lips	Carmex Daily Care® Variety Pack SPF 15
Chantecaille	face	Chantecaille Ultra Sun Protection Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45
Childs Farm	body, baby	Childs Farm Sun Lotion Cream SPF 50+
Circcell	face	Circcell Daily Hydration Broad Spectrum SPF 43
Colorescience	face	Colorescience Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Brush-on Shield SPF 50
Control Corrective	face, body	Control Corrective Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30
Coola	face, body	Coola Classic Body Organic Sunscreen Spray SPF 50
COSRX	face	COSRX Shield Fit All Green Comfort Sun SPF50
CōTZ	face, body, baby	CōTZ Face Prime & Protect SPF 40
Cover FX	face	Cover FX Booster Drops SPF 30
de Mamiel	face	de Mamiel Exhale Daily Hydrating Nectar SPF 30
Decree	face	Decree Day Shield SPF 30
Derma E	face, body	Derma E Sun Defense Mineral Oil-Free Sunscreen Face SPF 30
Dermalogica	face	Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50
Dr. Dennis Gross	face	Dr. Dennis Gross Dark Spot Sun Defense Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Dr Jackson’s	face	Dr Jackson’s 01 Day Cream SPF 30
Dr. Sam’s	face	Dr. Sam’s Flawless Daily Sunscreen SPF 50
Drunk Elephant	face	Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte™ Physical Daily Defense SPF 30
Eminence	face, body	Eminence Lilikoi Mineral Defense Moisturizer SPF 33
Emma Hardie	face	Emma Hardie Protect And Prime SPF 30
ESPA	face	ESPA Optimal Skin Pro-Defence SPF 15
Environ	face	RAD Sunscreen SPF 15
Erbaviva	face	Erbaviva Sunscreen SPF 30
Every Man Jack	face	Every Man Jack Face Lotion SPF 20
Facetheory	face	Facetheory Sunfragma Melting Balm SPF 25
Formula by M&S	face	Formula Absolute Day Cream SPF 30
Frezyderm	face body	Frezyderm Sun Screen Cream-to-powder SPF 50
Glossier	face	Glossier Invisible Shield Daily sunscreen SPF 30
Glowbiotics	face	Glowbiotics Tinted Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Green People	face, body, baby	Green People Scent Free Facial Sun Cream SPF 30
Hampton Sun	face, body, baby	Hampton Sun Age-Defying Mineral Crème SPF 50
HEMA	face, body	HEMA The sun milk SPF 50
Hempz	face, body	Hempz Daily SPF Yuzu & Starfruit Herbal Body Moisturizer with SPF 30
Hurraw! Balm	face	Hurraw! Balm Sun Lip Balm SPF 15
Inglot	face	Inglot Under Makeup Base with SPF 20
ISDIN	face, body	ISDIN Fotoprotector ISDIN Fusion Water SPF 50
IT Cosmetics	face	Your Skin But Better CC+ Illumination SPF 50
Jack N’ Jill	face, body, baby	Jack N' Jill Kids Natural Sunscreen SPF 30
JĀSÖN	face, body	JĀSÖN Family Natural Sunscreen SPF 45
Josh Rosebrook	face	Josh Rosebrook Nutrient Day Cream SPF 30
Josie Maran	face, body	Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer Mineral SPF 47
Juice Beauty	face, body	Juice Beauty Oil-free Moisturizer SPF 30
Kabana	face, body, baby	Kabana Green Screen® D Organic Sunscreen SPF 35
Kate Somerville	face	KATE SOMERVILLE UncompliKated SPF 50
Kimberly Sayer	face	Kimberly Sayer Ultra Light Facial Moisturizer SPF-30
Kiss My Face	face, body	Kiss My Face Face Factor Sunscreen 50 SPF
Klairs	face	Klairs Soft Airy UV Essence SPF 50
Korres	face, body	Korres Natural Yoghurt Face And Body Sunscreen SPF 20
KraveBeauty	face	KraveBeauty Beet The Sun SPF 50
Kypris	face	Kypris Pot of Shade: Heliotropic SPF 30
La Bruket	body	La Bruket 169 Sunscreen SPF 30
Lacura by Aldi	face, body	Aldi Extra Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF 50+
Lancer Skincare	face	Lancer Skincare Sheer Fluid Sun Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Lanolips	face	Lanolips Tinted Lanolin Lip Balm SPF 30
Lavera	face, body	Lavera Anti-ageing Sensitive Sun Cream SPF 30
Love Sun Body	body	Love Sun Body Fragrance Free SPF 50
Lumene	face	Lumene Oxygenating Day Fluid SPF 30
Lush	body	Lush Solid Sunscreen Wash SPF 30
Mad Hippie	face	Mad Hippie Natural Facial Sunscreen SPF 30
Mádara	face	MÁDARA Plant Stem Cell Age-defying Face Sunscreen SPF 30
Malin + Goetz	face	Malin + Goetz High Protection SPF 30
Margaret Dabbs	body	Margaret Dabbs Sun Defence for Hands SPF 30
Mario Badescu	face	Mario Badescu Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 30
Medik8	face	Medik8 Physical Sunscree Anti-pollution Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Merumaya	face	Merumaya Youth Preservation Moisturiser SPF 20
Milk Makeup	face	Milk Makeup Sunshine Skin Tint SPF 30
Mineral Fusion	face	Mineral Fusion Mineral Brush-on Sun Defense SPF 30
Murad	face	Murad Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30
MyChelle	face, body	MyChelle Sun Shield Liquid SPF 50
Neal's Yard Remedies	face	Neal's Yard Remedies Wild Rose Moisturising SPF 30
NEOM	face	NEOM Ultimate Calm Moisturiser SPF 30
Niod	face	Niod Survival 30 SPF 30
NIP + FAB	face	NIP+FAB Post Glycolic Fix Moisturiser SPF 30
No7	face	No7 Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED BB Facial Sun Protection SPF 50
Nuori	face	Nuori Mineral Defence Sunscreen SPF 30
Odylique	face	Odylique Natural Sun Screen SPF 30
Omorovicza	face	Omorovicza Mineral Uv Shield SPF 30
OSKIA	face, body	OSKIA Invisible Broad Spectrum Mineral Milk For Body SPF 30
Pacifica	face, body	Pacifica Sea & C Sheer Face Serum SPF 55
Pai	face	Pai British Summer Time: Sensitive Sunscreen SPF 30
Paula's Choice	face	Paula's Choice Resist Anti-Aging Moisturiser SPF 50
Perricone MD	face	Perricone MD Photo-Brightening Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
PHB Ethical Beauty	face	PHB Ethical Beauty Tinted Moisturiser SPF 25
Pixi	face	Pixi Sun Serum SPF 30
Purito	face	Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF 50
Radical Skincare	face	Radical Skincare Skin Perfecting Screen SPF 30
Ren	face	Ren Clean Screen Mineral SPF 30
Renée Rouleau	face	Renée Rouleau Weightless Protection SPF 30
RéVive	face	RéVive Soleil Superiéur / Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Rituals	face, body, baby	Rituals Sun Protection Face Cream SPF 50
Rodial	face	Rodial Dragon’s Blood Hyaluronic Moisturiser SPF 15
Salt & Stone	face, body	Salt & Stone Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
Sanctuary Spa	face, body	Sanctuary Spa Protect & Illuminate Moisture Lotion SPF 15
Skingredients	face	Skingredients Skin Shield SPF 50
Skinny Tan	body	Skinny Tan Protect and Glow SPF 50
Sol de Janeiro	body	Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Sol Oil SPF 30
Solara Suncare	face, body, baby	Solara Suncare Clean Freak Nutrient Boosted Daily Sunscreen SPF 30
Soleil Toujours	face, body	Soleil Toujours 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
Soltan	face, body, baby	Soltan Kids Suncare Stick SPF 50
Sonrei	face body	Sonrei Sea Clearly® Gel Sunscreen SPF 30
Sonya Dakar	face	Sonya Dakar Daily Shield SPF 30
StriVectin	face, body	StriVectin Full Screen™ Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Sun Bum	face, body	Sun Bum Original 'Face 50' Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
Suntegrity	face, body	Suntegrity UNSCENTED Natural Mineral Sunscreen for Body SPF 30
Supergoop	face, body, baby	Supergoop PLAY Antioxidant Body Mist with Vitamin C SPF 50
Susanne Kaufmann	face	Susanne Kaufmann Face Broad Spectrum Protection Sunscreen SPF 30
Tatcha	face	Tatcha Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen SPF 35
The Body Shop	face	The Body Shop Skin Defence Multi-Protection Lotion SPF 50
The Inkey List	face	The Inkey List Daily Sunscreen SPF 30
The Ordinary	face	The Ordinary Mineral UV Filters with Antioxidants SPF 30
The Organic Pharmacy	face	The Organic Pharmacy Cellular Protection SunCream SPF 50
This Works	face, body	This Works In Transit Skin Defence SPF 30
Trish McEvoy	face	Trish Mcevoy Beauty Booster Cream SPF 30
Tropic	face	Tropic Sun Day Facial Uv Defence SPF 50
Trufora	face	Trufora Titanium Day Cream SPF 30
Unsun Cosmetics	face, body	Unsun Cosmetics Mineral Tinted Face Sunscreen SPF 30
Versed	face	Versed Guards Up Daily Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 35
Volition	face	Volition Prismatic Luminizing Shield SPF 50
Weleda	face, body	Weleda Edelweiss Sun Facial Lotion SPF 30
Yon-Ka	face	Yon-Ka Crème SPF 50
Zelens	face	Zelens Daily Defence Sunscreen SPF 30
ZENii	face	ZENii Antioxidant SPF 50

We selected the Top 10 sustainable brands that offer cruelty free SPF products:

Top 10 Cruelty Free Skin Care SPF Brands

Top 10 Cruelty Free Body Care SPF Brands

Top 10 Cruelty Free Baby Care SPF Brands

Now like never before it is important to choose cosmetic products by sustainable brands that are genuinely cruelty free, who not only care about animal welfare but also the oceans and offer reef safe SPF and sunscreens.