Best Eco-Safe Sunscreens for Working Out
Exercise, much? Have we got sunscreen for you! Beyond Coastal makes a line of protective skin care products made with the outdoor athlete in mind. So what is more perfect, or convenient, than a pocket-sized sunscreen stick to use during your next 10K? The petite Active FaceStick SPF 30 is free of our nemesis, oxybenzone, as well as artificial fragrance, parabens and petroleum, but it is chock-full of vitamin E and skin-quenching shea butter.
Rather than minerals, this screen uses the chemicals avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate and octocrylene to absorb harmful UVA and UBA rays. Yep, these are “chemicals,” but we promise it’s not as bad as you may think—each one scores a low to moderate hazard on the EWG’s Skin Deep Database and makes up only 10 percent or less of the complete solution. They work synergistically to provide overall UVA and UVB protection (for instance, avobenzone primarily absorbs UVA rays, so homosalate takes up the slack with its UVB protection) and provide an effective substitute for those who object to the feel of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. This chemical crew may not be our first pick for sun protection, but it does the job at keeping skin and health in good shape.
Beyond Coastal Active FaceStick SPF 30 ($6.99)
But feeling good doesn’t just involve exercising, eating an organic diet and using natural products; it’s also about doing your part to care for the earth and those with whom you share its grounds. With Collective Wellbeing’s line of natural and innovative products, you can check most of these off the list. A zero carbon footprint company—Collective Wellbeing calculates all of its emissions down to packaging and product shipment and offsets them by purchasing credits from alternative energy suppliers—the line includes a moisturizer with UVA and UVB protection so light, it’s the perfect precursor to hitting the gym. The Day Moisturizer SPF 15 contains mineral sunscreen stars titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, and gives skin a dose of the essential fatty acid GLA (gamma linolenic acid) with borage seed oil. It’s the perfect accessory to go with your eco workout gear.
Collective Wellbeing Day Moisturizer SPF 15 ($21)
Want more? We found the best eco-friendly sunscreens for the beach, pool, working out and every day, plus a whopping $800 in freebies. Go on, get some!
Stacey Lindsay is a freelance writer who holds a Master’s degree in print journalism from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Her awesome blog on natural health and green living is at Gwendolyn Honey.
