Your ultimate guide to eco-friendly sun protection

How to find the right sunscreen for you (and the planet).

Discover reef-safe SPF formulas that love your skin right back.

If there’s one thing all dermatologists agree on, it’s that everyone should be using sunscreen, every single day.[1] Finding the right sunscreen formula for your unique skin is tough enough — but making sure your sunscreen is also safe for the environment and your health? It’s a big ask.

That’s why at Grove, we make sure to carry only the best SPF brands with reef-safe, skin-loving ingredients and high-performing protection. So it’s easy for you to choose sun care that meets a higher standard of protection, for your skin, your family, and the planet.

Here’s how to select your perfect SPF

1. Seek out mineral-based formulas
If you’re looking for a great alternative to chemical-based filters in your SPF, choose mineral-based sunscreens that use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Both types of mineral sunscreens use active ingredients that sit on top of your skin to physically block harmful rays, without leaching chemicals into your body or our oceans.

Pro tip: If you’ve tried mineral-based sunscreens before and found them hard to blend in, look for formulas that mention “sheer application” or “makeup primer.” The new crop of mineral formulas have come a long, long way!

2. Opt out of unnecessary ingredients
Your skin is your largest organ, and what you put on it matters. At Grove, we hold our skincare and suncare to a higher standard, with over 50 No Way ingredients banned from our SPF lineup including synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, octinoxate, oxybenzone, and sulisobenzone.

3. Find formulas you’ll actually want to reapply
SPF is only effective when used correctly. That means reapplying every two hours (or more often if you're swimming or sweating). Whether you’re dealing with wiggly kids or hot summer commutes, we love the idea of easier reapplication for everyone. Find reef-safe sunscreen sprays, makeup-refreshing SPF face mists, or even mineral-based powder formulas that can be applied with a brush. All key to making safe suncare a habit, not a hassle.

The Bottom Line

Safer suncare is within reach

We’re proud to vet every sunscreen we carry for ingredient safety, performance, and environmental impact. So no matter the outdoor activity, you can trust that your sun protection has been held to a higher standard.

Sources

  1. American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) — Statistics and facts on sunscreen usage and skin protection.
    https://www.aad.org/media/stats-sunscreen
  2. Environmental Working Group (EWG) — Report detailing the concerns around common chemical ingredients in sunscreen.
    https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals