Most people pick a sunscreen the same way they pick a phone charger: find the number that looks right, grab the cheapest option, and move on. SPF 30, SPF 50, whatever is on sale. The number matters. But what is underneath the number matters more.

SPF tells you how well a sunscreen filters UVB rays, the ones responsible for sunburn. It says nothing about UVA protection, nothing about how the product achieves that protection, and nothing about what happens to the ingredients once they are on your skin or washed into the water. Two sunscreens can both say SPF 30 on the label and have completely different safety profiles, environmental footprints, and effects on your body.

This is not about scaring anyone away from sunscreen. Sun protection is one of the most important things you can do for your skin. This is about understanding what you are putting on, so you can make a choice that protects your skin and the places where you wear it.

Chemical vs. Mineral: Two Fundamentally Different Approaches

Sunscreen ingredients fall into two categories: chemical UV filters and mineral UV filters. They both filter ultraviolet radiation. They do it in completely different ways.

Chemical UV filters, including oxybenzone, avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene, work by absorbing UV radiation through a chemical reaction that happens within the skin. They need 15 to 30 minutes after application to become effective. Some break down in sunlight over time, which is one reason frequent reapplication matters even more with chemical formulas.

Mineral UV filters take a different approach. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide sit on the skin's surface and reflect UV rays away from the body. They work the moment you apply them. No waiting period, no chemical reaction, no absorption into the bloodstream.

FDA position: The FDA's 2019 proposed sunscreen monograph update recognized zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as the only two Category I (Generally Recognized as Safe and Effective) mineral UV filters among 16 active ingredients reviewed. In June 2026, the FDA approved bemotrizinol, a chemical UV filter long used internationally, through a separate regulatory pathway. The remaining 14 chemical filters were classified as Category III: insufficient data to confirm they are safe for daily use.

That distinction, Category I vs. Category III, does not get enough attention. It means the FDA has looked at the available science and concluded it cannot yet confirm the safety of the chemical filters most people use every day. Meanwhile, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide have been studied for decades and received the highest safety classification available.

Non-Nano vs. Nano: Why Particle Size Matters

Even within mineral sunscreens, not all formulations are equal. The particle size of zinc oxide affects how the product works on your skin and what happens when it reaches water.

Nano zinc oxide uses particles smaller than 100 nanometers. These ultra-fine particles go on more transparently, which is why they appeal to consumers who want to avoid visible white residue. But the trade-off is real: nano particles can potentially penetrate deeper into the skin, and they are small enough to enter coral tissue and accumulate in marine food chains.

Non-nano zinc oxide uses particles larger than 100 nanometers. They sit on the skin's surface, provide broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection, and are too large to penetrate coral tissue or bioaccumulate in marine organisms. Yes, there can be a slight white cast. That white cast is the zinc doing its job: sitting on top of your skin rather than sinking into it.

When reading labels, look specifically for "non-nano zinc oxide" in the active ingredients panel. If the label says only "zinc oxide" without specifying particle size, the sunscreen may use nano-sized particles. That one word, "non-nano," matters more than most of the marketing on the front of the bottle.

The Inactive Ingredients List: What Most People Skip

The active ingredients panel gets all the attention. But the inactive ingredients, the base that carries and delivers the UV filter, tell you just as much about what you are putting on your skin.

Conventional sunscreens often use petroleum-derived carriers, synthetic fragrance blends, and preservatives like parabens and phenoxyethanol. These ingredients serve a purpose: they make the product shelf-stable, easy to apply, and pleasant-smelling. But they also introduce chemicals that many people are actively trying to avoid.

Plant-based carriers take a different approach. Organic oils like coconut oil, jojoba oil, and sunflower oil provide moisture and help the zinc oxide spread smoothly. Beeswax creates water resistance naturally. Botanical extracts like calendula and chamomile offer additional skin-soothing properties without synthetic additives.

What to look for in the inactive ingredients:

• ✓ Organic plant oils as the base (coconut, jojoba, sunflower, olive)
• ✓ Beeswax or plant wax for water resistance
• ✓ Botanical extracts for skin soothing (calendula, chamomile, green tea)
• ✓ No synthetic fragrance (listed as "fragrance" or "parfum")
• ✓ No parabens, phthalates, or petroleum derivatives

The simplest test: if the ingredient list reads more like a garden than a chemistry lab, you are probably in good shape.

How All Good Formulates: From Seed to Jar

Every All Good sunscreen uses non-nano zinc oxide as its only active ingredient. That has been the case since 2008, years before Hawaii banned chemical UV filters and long before regulatory pressure pushed the industry toward mineral formulations. As the brand celebrates 20 years in 2026, the commitment to mineral-only sun protection has never changed.

Ryan grows calendula on Four Elements Farm and watches it from seed to harvest. That plant ends up in All Good Goop, in our sunscreens, in our body care. When we say we know what is in our products, we mean we watched it grow.

The inactive ingredients list reads exactly how you would expect from a brand built on this philosophy: organic coconut oil, organic jojoba oil, organic beeswax, calendula extract, and other botanicals traditionally used in herbalism for skin soothing. No petroleum derivatives, no synthetic fragrances, no parabens.

Our sun care lineup:

SPF30 Sport Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, 3 oz: 80-minute water resistance for outdoor athletes

SPF50 Kids Mineral Sunscreen Butter Stick, 2.75 oz: mess-free application for children

SPF30 Mineral Facial Sunscreen, 1.7 oz: lightweight daily facial protection

All Good Lips SPF20 Lip Balm – Coconut: mineral protection for lips

Every one uses non-nano zinc oxide and organic plant-based ingredients.

How to Read a Sunscreen Label: A Practical Walkthrough

Every sunscreen sold in the United States is required by the FDA to list its Active Ingredients on the label. That is where you find the UV filters, and it is the only part of the label that tells you the full truth about what is protecting your skin.

Here is how to read one in under 30 seconds:

Step 1: Check Active Ingredients

If you see zinc oxide or titanium dioxide listed, and nothing else under Active Ingredients, the sunscreen is mineral-based. If you see names like oxybenzone, avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, or octinoxate, the product uses chemical UV filters. Some products combine both, which still introduces the chemicals of concern.

Step 2: Look for "Non-Nano"

If zinc oxide is listed, check whether it specifies non-nano. This tells you the particles are large enough to stay on the skin's surface rather than penetrating deeper.

Step 3: Check Three More Things

• SPF rating: The American Academy of Dermatology recommends SPF 30 or higher for daily use. SPF 30 filters approximately 97% of UVB rays; SPF 50 filters about 98%.
• Broad spectrum: This means the sunscreen protects against both UVA rays (premature aging) and UVB rays (sunburn). Both contribute to skin cancer risk.
• Water resistance: The FDA allows two claims: 40 minutes or 80 minutes. No sunscreen is "waterproof." That term is not permitted on labels.

Step 4: Scan the Inactive Ingredients

Look for plant-based carriers (organic oils, beeswax) versus petroleum derivatives and synthetic fragrance. The shorter and more recognizable the list, the better.

Worth knowing: There is currently no federal standard for the term "reef-friendly." Any brand can put it on a bottle without meeting specific criteria. The most reliable approach: flip the bottle over and read the active ingredients panel. That is where the real story is.

What to Do Next

Explore Our Sun Care Collection →

See every product, every ingredient, every reason.

Read the Sun Care Brief in The All Good List →

A complete ingredient-by-ingredient breakdown of every sun care product we make.

Hawaii Sunscreen Ban: What It Means for Reef-Friendly Sunscreen →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SPF 30 enough, or should I use SPF 50?

SPF 30 filters approximately 97% of UVB rays. SPF 50 filters about 98%. The difference is small, but SPF 50 provides a slightly larger margin of error for inconsistent application or delayed reapplication. For daily use, SPF 30 is sufficient. For extended outdoor activity, water sports, or children, SPF 50 offers extra protection. Either way, reapplication every 2 hours matters more than the SPF number.

What does "broad spectrum" actually mean?

Broad spectrum means the sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB radiation. UVB rays cause sunburn. UVA rays penetrate deeper and contribute to premature aging and skin cancer risk. A sunscreen that is not broad spectrum only protects against sunburn, leaving your skin vulnerable to UVA damage. Always choose broad spectrum.

Why does mineral sunscreen leave a white cast?

The white cast comes from zinc oxide particles sitting on the skin's surface, which is exactly how mineral sunscreen is supposed to work. It reflects UV rays rather than absorbing into your skin. Non-nano zinc oxide particles are larger, so the white cast can be more noticeable than nano formulations. However, this is a sign the product is working as intended. Modern mineral formulations have improved significantly, and the cast fades as the product settles.

Are chemical sunscreens dangerous?

The FDA has not classified chemical UV filters as dangerous. It has classified them as Category III, meaning insufficient data exists to confirm they are safe for daily use. Studies have detected chemical UV filters like oxybenzone in human blood, urine, and breast milk after topical application. Hawaii and other jurisdictions have banned oxybenzone and octinoxate due to environmental harm to coral reefs. Whether to use chemical sunscreens is a personal decision, but understanding the current regulatory status helps inform that choice.

Can I use the same sunscreen on my face and body?

You can, but facial skin tends to be thinner and more sensitive than body skin. A dedicated facial sunscreen is typically lighter in texture and less likely to clog pores. For body application, a sport formula with higher water resistance is more practical. SPF30 Mineral Facial Sunscreen, 1.7 oz is formulated specifically for daily facial use, while SPF30 Sport Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, 3 oz provides 80-minute water resistance for full-body outdoor protection.