Sunscreen, sunblock, sun tan lotion, whatever you call it… there’s a bajillion to choose from. Some sunscreens come as a spray, others in a tube of lotion, but roll on and stick form are my personal favorites.
The reason, you ask? Global warming. We love effortless spray bottles, but they contain specific chemicals that protect you from the sun — not the wild life that resides in the ocean blue.
When aerosols are used haphazardly, the chemicals will settle on the ground in a toxic cloud of pollutants that are swept into the ocean. Not only this, but it can easily get in your eyes, or worse, ingested — bleh, not the type of drink I want on a hot summer day.
To make your life simpler, I’ve compiled a list of 12 sexy, safe, and environmentally friendly sunscreen roll ons and sticks to choose from. Happy browsing!
Glow Stick SPF 50
This just in, the must-have sunscreen of the summer brought to you by Supergoop! Self-proclaimed experts on SPF, Supergoop! uses active ingredients avobenzone (3.0%), octisalate (5.0%), and octocrylene (10.0%) in their popular roll on sunscreen stick, all of which aid each other in protecting skin from UV rays. However, it is important to note that large quantities of these chemicals can be harmful… so they aren’t the best choice formulaically. The popularity of the product comes from its wearability, leaving a glowy hydrating finish (all while protecting you), and packed inside an easy to store twist-up case.
Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Roll-On Lotion
What is a mineral sunscreen, you ask? Instead of using (sometimes harmful) chemicals to block those UV rays, minerals like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide have natural properties that protect your beautiful skin. Sun Bum’s Mineral Roll-On sunscreen uses the roll application method to help blend the product into skin (although you may have to rub in the excess). Topping off your look with a nourished look, this sunscreen really takes the bum–cake.
Go Stick Clear Sunscreen SPF 35
Looking for a sunscreen stick that will protect your skin from the harsh rays? This sunscreen stick is packed with SPF 35 and broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection, making it perfect for a day spent outdoors. And because it’s water and sweat-resistant, you can go on that crisp-aired run knowing that your skin will be protected for up to 80 minutes. Plus, it’s reef safe and free of parabens, glycols, and phthalates, so you can feel good about using it on your skin.
Sport Ultra Roll-On Sunscreen Lotion SPF 60+
If you’re a sweaty human like me, the blistering heat of the summer leaves perspiration in some… interesting places (I promise, I really didn’t pee!). Which is why lathering on some good waterproof protection is always a good idea. Banana Boat’s Sport roll-on is here to save the day, made to resist the power of water and give us two hours of uninterrupted protection courtesy of acrylate copolymer, a water resistant agent. Ready, set, roll!
Mineral Sunscreen Face Stick
Okay, not gonna lie, the previous packaging was better than the current packaging – a surfing badger? Wayyy cooler than pelicans. I digress and forgive, however, because this waterless, hypoallergenic, unscented sun stick stars organic coconut and shea butters for total skin nourishment. It’s also good for the ocean: it’s reef-friendly, so you don’t have to feel guilty when catching waves for the 40 minutes of water-resistance it offers.
Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Stick
You’ve heard it from your dermatologist, Cetaphil is your affordable ticket to healthy skin. Taking skin sensitivity into account, the Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Stick moisturizes without clogging pores, leaving behind a hydrated feel instead of grease and slime. This is in part due to the lack of harsh chemicals found in some sunscreens, including avobenzone, oxybenzone, and octinoxate; minerals, unlike those controversial three chemicals, complement sensitive skin.
Clear SPF 50 Sun Stick
There are few bad things about summer, but one of them may be the white cast that most lotion sunscreens leave in their wake. As a teen, there was no worse feeling than thinking you looked sexy, but really? You forgot to rub in your sunscreen. With Shiseido, this will never be a problem; the clear lotion (in an easy, breezy, portable sun stick form) uses WetForce and HeatForce technology to create an extra shield in extreme conditions.
Mineral Sunscreen SPF 70 Sunblock Stick
A classic sunscreen scent that isn’t a chemical mix? Coconut vanilla, meant to mimic an island oasis in the tropics. Bare Republic aims to bring this vibe to you via their mineral sunscreen with natural scents, rather than artificial and synthetic fragrance. Don’t worry about poisoning the reef when protecting your skin – the sunscreen stick is reef-friendly and scoffs at the inclusion of parabens. Warning: some people experience white residue, so if the classic sunscreen-on-the-nose look isn’t for you, you might want to choose a different stick.
Sunforgettable Total Protection Sport Stick SPF 50
Yes, it’s very important to wear sunscreen when in the sun this summer. But blue screens can also cause damage. Colorescience knows this, so Sunforgettable also protects from blue light damage. It’s phthalate-free, oil-free, dye-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free, and fragrance-free, as well as reef-safe. Not only is it water-resistant – it’s also sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so whether you’re riding waves or watching them, you’ll be protected.
Super Shield Sport Sunscreen Stick
To love or not to love fragrance, that is the question. Well, for my sensitive skin (and nose), the answer is: we’re just not that into you. Scented products contain synthetic chemicals that often irritate the skin and clog pores, something that many don’t want in their skin protectant. Babo Botanicals understands such concerns and uses plant based ingredients and their infamous “Nutri-Soothe™ Complex” to generate healthy skin. It seems they have a crush on avocado oil, cocoa butter, jojoba seed oil, and shea butter, featuring them in many of their products.
Mineral Sunscreen Face Stick – SPF 30
Made with people in mind, Raw Elements formulates their products without common allergens like nuts, soy, or gluten. This struck me as particularly human because of the clear attention given to those who may struggle to find products that work for them. With a large list of certifications (Leaping Bunny, non GMO, all natural products, and so on) AND an easy, mess-free application, I see no reason not to run and grab this product — brb.
Sport Sunscreen Butter Stick
Life will be ~all good~ if you invest in the All Good Mineral Sunscreen Butter Stick. Silky smooth, and ready to blend like butter on perfectly toasted bread, this sunblock (made with zinc oxide) sits on top of the skin to avoid clogging those pesky pores. The use of natural ingredients like coconut oil, beeswax, vitamin E, and jojoba oil help maintain reef and skin safety! And, pssst: if you apply before web surfing, your skin will be in the clear, because the sun stick protects from blue light.
Are you ready to switch to sunscreen sticks and roll ons? We are! Tell us your thoughts in the comments.