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Sunscreen is absolutely essential when you’re out and about on sunny days. It provides the vital protection your body needs to defend against UV rays, guarding you against burns and deep skin damage.
However, a lot of commercial sunscreens include animal by-products, and some are even tested on animals before appearing on store shelves. This makes them utterly unsuitable for vegans or other people who follow animal-friendly lifestyles.
Fortunately, there are plenty of vegan sunscreens out there that do not undergo animal testing and include no animal by-products, whatsoever. In this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the premium vegan sunscreens in 2024.
Our Favorite Vegan Sunscreens of 2024
COOLA Vegan Sunscreen — Best Overall
Starting off our list are these Sun Silk Drops from the Coola brand. Offering SPF 30 protection, this dermatologically-tested vegan sunscreen guards your skin against blue light and damaging UV rays. It's 100% vegan, without any testing or animal products inside. It's also gluten-free, and one of the best things about this sunscreen is that it's also a moisturizer! It nourishes the skin with powerful, organic ingredients like neroli flower extract to leave your face and body feeling smooth and silky. With its quality formula, strong protection, and proven results, there’s no doubt that this vegan sunscreen earns our best overall award.
Pros
- Strong SPF 30 protection
- Powerful organic ingredients
- Also works as a moisturizer
Cons
- Quite an expensive product
Sun Bum Vegan Sunscreen — Best Protection
If protection is what you care about most of all, choose this vegan sunscreen from Sun Bum. It provides SPF 50 protection against UVA and UVB rays. Imbued with the power of vitamin E, this sunscreen is also fantastic for your skin. It nourishes and soothes damaged or dry skin cells to leave your skin feeling smoother to the touch, and it's ideal for all skin types, including sensitive skin. This sunscreen is also water-resistant, so you're free to dive into the pool or swim around the sea while wearing it, without having to worry about the effects wearing off. The only downside is that you need to re-apply it often for the best effects.
Pros
- Strong SPF 50 protection
- Usable in water
- A trusted brand
Cons
- Needs re-applying regularly
Supergoop! Vegan Sunscreen — Best for Active People
Here's another top-quality sunscreen that is 100% vegan-friendly. Play from Supergoop! offers SPF 50 protection. It's a lightweight and hydrating sunscreen that shields you against both UVA and UVB rays, without feeling thick and oily on the skin. It's super for sensitive skin, and the best part of this sunscreen is that it's resistant to both water and swear. This means that you can use it for those very active, energetic days when you're running around on the beach or playing sports under the sun. It's even reef-friendly, so you can swim around in the ocean without any worries at all.
Pros
- Ideal for active people
- Very resistant to sweat and water
- Strong SPF 50 protection
Cons
- Slightly strange odor
Babo Botanicals Vegan Sunscreen — Best for Family
Looking for a vegan sunscreen the whole family can use? If so, this zinc sunscreen from Babo Botanicals is a great product to try. It offers SPF 30 protection and features a safe, hypoallergenic formula that is perfect for kids of all ages and even babies. Fully suitable for sensitive skin, it uses powerful zinc oxide as its key active ingredient which builds up a barrier on the skin against UV rays. It's water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so it's usable in the water or beside the pool, and it harnesses the power of plant-based elements like aloe and sunflower for maximum effect.
Pros
- Safe for families
- No added fragrances or unnecessary extras
- Uses natural ingredients
Cons
- Not as protective as others
Thinksport Vegan Sunscreen — Best Value
Last but not least, have this mineral sunscreen from Thinksport. This unscented, natural sunblock offers SPF 50+ protection to defend your body on even the sunniest and warmest of days. It's easy to apply, so it won't leave your fingers feeling sticky or greasy, and it absorbs rapidly into the skin to start taking effect. Reef-friendly and water-resistant, this sunscreen lasts up to 80 minutes in the pool or the sea before it needs to be re-applied. It's made in the USA from quality ingredients but is available at a very fair and competitive price when compared to other leading brands.
Pros
- Water-resistant and reef-friendly
- Strong level of protection
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Leaves white marks on the skin
Top Vegan Sunscreens Buying Guide
Above, we’ve seen some of the top-rated vegan sunscreens that money can buy. But which one is right for you? And what are the key characteristics of vegan sunscreen that make it so different from regular sunscreen? Read on for all the information you need.
What Makes Vegan Sunscreen Different?
So, what is it that separates a vegan sunscreen from a non-vegan sunscreen? Well, the truth of the matter is that a lot of the traditional sunscreens you see on store shelves are not vegan-friendly. They may contain animal by-products or undergo animal testing.
Animal testing of cosmetics leads to the deaths of countless animals every year, and a lot of people are against it. It's also completely against the lifestyle of vegan people. Vegan sunscreens are a vegan-friendly alternative, crafted without the use of animal ingredients or testing.
Often, these sunscreens are considered to be more natural, harnessing the power of plant-based ingredients. But they can also contain chemicals and other powerful active ingredients to provide the same defenses and protections as standard sunscreen.
Why Should I Use Vegan Sunscreen?
There are a few different reasons why you might like to make use of vegan sunscreen instead of traditional sunscreen:
- The Vegan Lifestyle - If you’re someone who is vegan or likes to follow a vegan lifestyle, vegan sunscreen is the best option for you. It completely matches the vegan way of life and includes no animal products.
- Kind to Animals - Even if you’re not vegan, you may be a big animal lover. If so, the thought of using products tested on animals may not match your lifestyle. Vegan sunscreen lets you protect your skin without the guilt associated with animal tests.
- Strong Protection - Good-quality vegan sunscreen is just as protective for your skin as traditional sunscreen. It can defend you against UVA and UVB rays, fighting the signs of aging and reducing the risk of sunburns and skin cancer.
- Natural Ingredients - As explained earlier on, many vegan sunscreens feature strong natural ingredients. These products are great not only to protect your skin but also to provide it with key natural nutrients from plants like aloe vera.
What Are the Most Important Features of Vegan Sunscreen?
There are a lot of great vegan sunscreens to buy, but which one should you choose? Well, if you’re not sure where to start, here are some key factors to focus on that will help you narrow down the search.
Ease of use
Some vegan sunscreens are easier to apply than others. The most popular options tend to be smooth and creamy, without any excessive oiliness or greasiness. They should be easy to rub into the skin and absorb quickly without leaving any residue behind on your fingers or body.
Protection levels
When it comes to sunscreen, the protection level is measured using the SPF or sun protection factor system. The higher the SPF rating, the better protection you'll have. For general daily use, SPF 30 should suffice, but you may want SPF 50+ if you live in a very sunny area or if you’re planning a tropical vacation.
Ingredients
Check the list of ingredients on the side of every bottle of vegan sunscreen to see what they include. Many ingredients will be similar, but some of the top-rated vegan sunscreens include strong natural ingredients like shea butter or aloe extract to soothe and nourish the skin.
