4 Reef-Safe Sunscreens We Love
1. Badger
Crafted with care in New Hampshire, Badger is a women-owned brand committed to protecting people and the planet. Their sunscreens are made with USDA organic ingredients, certified by NSF and Fair Trade Certified, and produced with the help of solar energy. From baby-friendly formulas to sport-ready protection, Badger’s lineup offers options for every skin need. Packaged in 50% post-consumer recycled tubes and cruelty-free, these sunscreens are proof that good-for-you can also mean good-for-the-planet. Buy here.
2. Vertra
Born in Honolulu and developed by surfers for surfers, Vertra was created with long days in the ocean in mind. The founders spent three years perfecting the formula alongside elite athletes and skin care experts to ensure maximum broad-spectrum protection. Their reef-safe lineup includes face sticks in multiple tints and a coconut-vanilla body spray—all cruelty-free, paraben-free, and designed to hold up through the most active days under the sun. Buy here.
3. ThinkSun
ThinkSun was founded by Kevin Brodwick, who set out to remove endocrine-disrupting chemicals like BPA from skincare products after learning about their effects on families. In collaboration with scientists and physicians, ThinkSun developed a line of mineral-based sunscreens that are both effective and safe. Their formulas are organic, non-toxic, biodegradable, dermatologist-tested, and available in both SPF 30 and SPF 50. Whether you're grabbing a spray, lotion, or face stick, this brand keeps things simple, clean, and environmentally kind. Buy here.
4. Project Reef
Clean, minimal, and committed to ocean preservation, Project Reef is making waves with its reef-first approach to sun care. The brand’s mineral SPF is free of harmful chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate and comes in sleek, sustainable packaging that looks good in your beach bag. Plus, with every purchase, Project Reef funds reef restoration efforts—making your daily SPF routine a way to give back to the planet, one reef at a time. Buy here.
No matter where you're soaking up the sun this season, these reef-safe sunscreens ensure you’re protecting more than just your skin. Swap out the harsh chemicals for conscious choices and help keep our oceans thriving—for tomorrow’s surfers, swimmers, and sea life.