Super Eco

Photo credit: Soleo USA

Do you find it as tough to block out the hype about chemical-saturated sunscreens as we do? Let's not even bring up the greenwashing imposters who gussy up their products to look like healthy, green alternatives—all based on topping off the chemical cocktail with a drop or two of aloe vera or tea tree oil. No, we're talking about the full frontal assault from the big guys. These guys are the ones who make it sound like we're all going to drop dead if we're not slathered up with the latest high-tech chemical to offer SPFs in the triple digits.

It's more likely to be the other way around. Many sunscreen chemicals are potent free radical generators. leading to increased cellular damage and changes that could actually lead to cancer. Hormone-mimicking parabens wreak havoc with their potent estrogenic effects. The skin soaks up synthetic chemicals that end up stored in ever-increasing concentrations in fat cells.

Your best bet is a sunscreen that relies on physically blocking harmful rays with ingredients such as zinc or titanium. Here, we've listed the seven sunscreens that have earned a perfect 0 score on the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep cosmetics safety database.

1. Soleo Organics Sunscreen Organic chemical free sunscreen SPF 30+
2. Soleo/Atlantis Resort Organic chemical free sunscreen SPF 30+
3. Soleo/Wyland Sunscreen Organic chemical free sunscreen SPF 30+
4. Keys Soap Solar Rx Cosmetic Moisturizing Sunblock, SPF 30
5. California Baby Sunblock Stick No Fragrance, SPF 30+
6. California Baby Sunblock Stick Everyday/year-Round, SPF 30+
7. Badger Sunscreen, SPF 30

More great sunscreen resources from Skin Deep:

• An investigation of nearly 1,000 brand-name sunscreen products finds that 4 out of 5 contain chemicals that may pose health hazards or don't adequately protect skin from the sun's damaging rays. Some of the worst offenders are leading brands like Coppertone, Banana Boat, and Neutrogena.
• Can't remember specific safe products? Find out the most highly recommended common brands.