If you’ve made a pact with yourself to be more environmentally cautious, you know how difficult it may be to find organic products to replace items in your day-to-day beauty routine.
Luckily, the skincare and self care world has taken notice of the public outcry for more sustainable products, and have released things like bamboo toothbrushes, toothpaste tablets, and other organically derived alternatives to make your beauty routine guilt-free.
But when it comes to skincare, it’s hard to find organic products that are just as effective as the chemical based products on the shelves. While the task may prove hard, it’s definitely not impossible!
So, what makes an organic moisturizer and SPF rank among the best? The effectiveness of the SPF, origin of the ingredients, and how sustainable the packaging is will determine if it is environmentally friendly and suitable for your skin.
There’s definitely something rewarding about using products that are good for the planet, but there’s extra gratification in knowing that it’s good for your skin too.
Even with that information in mind, if you were to hop on Amazon to find your choice of moisturizer, you’d be met with dozens of results. Thankfully, we’ve done all the dirty work for you! Read on to find our top picks for organic moisturizers with SPF, and why they top the rest.
How To Pick Your Moisturizer
1. SPF Effectivity
If you’re choosing a moisturizer that includes SPF, it’s clear that you’re looking for serious protection from the sun, that means you should be finding a product with a sun protection factor of at least 30 if you’re going to be outside for long periods of time.
SPF 15, while still effective, is best for cloudier regions, or for those who stay indoors for most of the day.
Finding a moisturizer that can be reapplied throughout the day, especially if you wear makeup, is also extremely important. SPF should not just be applied in the morning, and should be put on every 2 hours to keep your skin as safe as possible.
2. Ingredient Origin
If you’re serious about choosing the most organically based product possible, finding a product whose ingredients are mainly plant based is vital. Of course, there are moisturizers out there that are a healthy combination of chemical and organic – and can still be considered sustainable.
It’s important to look through the ingredient list of your moisturizer to see if it’s up to your personal environmentally friendly standards!
3. Sustainable Packaging
If you’re truly looking for a product that’s extra environmentally friendly, finding a moisturizer that comes in biodegradable packaging is a must.
These products are hard to come by, and typically come at a bit of a heftier price point, but if you’re serious about reducing your carbon footprint, choosing a product that won’t find its way into a landfill is a no-brainer!
Best Organic Face Moisturizers With SPF
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Juice Beauty Oil-Free Moisturizer, SPF 30 | Skin-loving ingredients, hyaluronic acid |
| 2. | Coola Organic Rosilliance BB Cream Moisturizer, SPF 30 | TInted, 3 shades, antioxidants |
| 3. | Andalou Naturals Daily Defense Facial Lotion, SPF 18 | Cruelty-free, fair trade, chemical-free |
| 4. | THRIVE Natural Daily Defense Sunscreen Balm, SPF 30 | Vegan, gentle, made in Costa Rica |
| 3. | OM Botanical Skin Soft Organic Moisturizer, SPF 15 | Non-greasy, cruelty-free, vegan |
| 4. | The Naked Bee Everyday Facial Moisturizer, SPF 30 | Dye-free, skin softening, cruelty-free |
| 5. | Sia Botanics Prickly Pear Daily Moisturizer, SPF 30 | Paraben and sulfate free, hypoallergenic |
| 6. | Raw Elements Tinted Facial Moisturizer, SPF 30 | 23% zinc oxide, cruelty-free, water-resistant |
| 7. | Acure Radically Rejuvenating Day Cream, SPF 30 | Zinc oxide, vitamin C, plant peptides |
1. Juice Beauty Oil-Free Moisturizer, SPF 30
If you’re looking for something as simple and environmentally-friendly as it gets, look no further than Juice Beauty’s Oil-Free Moisturizer.
It’s not only formulate with organic ingredients but it’s also reef-safe, vegan, cruelty-free, and packed with ingredients like vitamins C, E, and B5 for healthy and radiant skin.
This moisturizer will protect your skin with SPF 30 and mineral oxide sunscreen while hydrating and restoring your skin with algae, organic aloe, hyaluronic acid, and more.
You may see a white cast on your skin at first, especially if you have dark skin, but once you rub it in and wait a few minutes, it will disappear and absorb nicely.
2. Coola Organic Rosilliance BB Cream Moisturizer, SPF 30
So, maybe oxide sunscreens that make you look ghost-white aren’t for you. You’re not alone. Why not try this tinted BB cream moisturizer with SPF 30 instead?
It’s created with just enough pigment to give you a healthy glow and even tone without weighing you down like cakey makeup can. It’s available in three shades that each blend with a wide range of skin tones in the light, medium, and dark categories.
It’s even water-resistant, so it makes for a perfect casual day out at the beach or sunbathing poolside.
Made with organic ingredients, cruelty-free, reef-safe, non-comedogenic, vegan, and antioxidant-enriched, this formula is one you don’t want to miss out on.
3. Andalou Naturals Daily Defense Facial Lotion, SPF 18
What we love about Andalou is that they put some serious effort into making sure that their products are effective, but that their ingredients are just as serious about being good for the planet.
If you’ve never heard about the Superior Source Ingredient Standard, it’s a way to ensure that the products you’re using come from the most ethical sources possible.
This moisturizer is made from organic ingredients, and none of them are genetically modified, so that means that this product is completely chemical free! Not only that, but it’s also gluten-free, fair trade, entirely derived from nature, and was never tested on animals.
This moisturizer is super lightweight, and is best for folks who aren’t out in the sun all day. However, this lotion contains properties like CoQ10 and fruit stem cells that do the work that most moisturizers can’t dream of doing.
If you’re looking for a moisturizer that builds your skins resilience, and keeps you looking youthful, this is a great pick. Unlike most moisturizers, Andalou promises to work with your skin to build up your natural defense system- protecting you from more than just harmful UV rays.
We think this is a great choice for mature skin, as the added benefits of Resveratrol, Goji Berry, and Aloe Vera can give your skin a supple, plump look, reducing the fine lines and wrinkles that show over time. It evens out the skin tone, reduces texture, and fades hyperpigmentation and age spots over time.
Another added benefit is the antioxidant properties in this product, defending your skin against pollution and foreign aggressors that can hurt the surface layer of your skin after constant exposure.
4. THRIVE Natural Daily Defense Sunscreen Balm, SPF 30
With this product, you’re not only doing good on your skin, but you’ll be doing good for the world. With each purchase of a Thrive product, you support the farmers that work hard to deliver you quality products.
Thrive is a company that’s all about giving back, and their business model is designed to help the workers restore the soil in Costa Rica and improve the livelihood of the country as a whole.
If you’ve heard a myth that naturally sourced products aren’t as effective as factory engineered products, this moisturizer can single-handedly nip those rumors in the bud.
Thrive products are entirely plant-derived and extra gentle. They can effectively reduce irritation, and protect your skin from further damage done by the sun, pollution, and even the impact of daily stress.
This formula is also antioxidant, defending your skin against free radicals and being an ultra soothing addition to your skincare routine. And did we mention that this product comes in a glass bottle instead of a plastic one? Making it a far better choice for the planet.
This moisturizer comes in at a sun protection factor of 30, protecting your skin from UVA/UVB rays, while also hydrating and nourishing your skin upon every application. Not only that, but this product also contains 20% Zinc Oxide – which smooths a physical barrier of protection to the sun without the chemical formulation that a lot of sunscreens on the market today have.
This sunscreen doesn’t leave a white cast, unpleasant smell, and is super fast absorbing, making it a great choice to wear underneath makeup. Another plus? It finishes matte, so you can stay protected without looking greasy!
5. OM Botanical Skin Soft Organic Moisturizer, SPF 15
OM Botanical questions the “organic” sunscreens on the shelves of supermarkets with a simple ask: If your sunscreen is all natural, why is it white?
OM Botanicals knows that no plants in nature are truly white, so that means that most of the sunscreens out there claiming to be naturally derived aren’t as sustainable as they claim to be!
When you use your first pump of this moisturizer, you’ll be met by the soothing scent of lavender and a beautiful sage green color that only plants can provide.
This moisturizer is non-comedogenic, won’t clog your pores, and is super lightweight, making it a great choice for someone who doesn’t like the heavy feel that some sunscreens can provide.
And worrying about bacteria is a thing of the past, because all of this moisturizer is contained in a vacuum sealed air-free pump, protecting your SPF from contamination from air pollution and microbials.
Containing natural humectants and nutrient packed ingredients like cucumber and rosemary, this moisturizer is non-greasy and super nourishing – locking in all the moisture in your skin and actually attracting moisture from the air around you throughout the day, keeping you soft even without reapplication.
And don’t worry about whether or not you’re buying the most sustainably sourced product you can. This moisturizer is gluten free, completely vegan, and was also never tested on animals.
It’s also pH balanced, meaning that it won’t interfere with your skin’s natural pH levels! With all this goodness, it’s also a no-brainer that this product is also paraben, sulfate, and phthalate free too.
But one of the best parts about this moisturizer is that OM Botanical is so sure that you’ll love it, that they offer a money back guarantee.
6. The Naked Bee Everyday Facial Moisturizer, SPF 30
The Naked Bee tagline is “All the good stuff, none of the bad stuff.” That’s a pretty big statement, but after we tell you all about this moisturizer/SPF combo, we’re sure you’ll agree.
The Naked Bee is a company founded on the idea that businesses shouldn’t be based on capitalist ideology.
They believe that products should be good for the consumer and the world, so it’s no wonder that their moisturizer is 70% organic and derived from the best ingredients.
What’s the good stuff, you may ask? Well, this moisturizer has a sun protection factor of 30, making it a great pick for the outdoorsy types. But, if you’re looking for the spa experience in a bottle, this is it.
Made with sunflower seed oil and honey, this moisturizer smells absolutely delicious, and can soften your skin without the assistance of harsh chemicals. If you have extra sensitive skin, or find that you have flaky patches around your face, this is a great alternative to most of the moisturizers you’ll find on store shelves.
This moisturizer, along with the rest of The Naked Bee line, is free of unnatural dyes and pigments. You won’t find any lauryl, sulfates, propylene, parabens, or mineral oils in this product either! And, of course, The Naked Bee promises that they would never even think about testing on an animal.
7. Sia Botanics Prickly Pear Daily Moisturizer, SPF 30
If you’re looking for a moisturizer that goes above and beyond the calls of just hydration and SPF, Sia Botanics has the product for you!
This moisturizer is a powerhouse, boasting the ability to even out your skin tone and deflect light away from any imperfections – making this as close to a real life beauty filter as you can get!
Sound too good to be true? Get ready to be even more mind blown. This moisturizer is able to do that through all natural ingredients!
This product contains aloe vera, grape seed oil, jojoba oil, primrose, vitamin E, radish root, and witch hazel – all working together to give you cleaner, happier looking skin with each use.
There are absolutely no synthetic chemicals in the ingredient list, and it’s also gluten, paraben, and sulfate free. If you have sensitive skin or suffer from allergies, worry not! This product is hypoallergenic and safe for all skin types.
The star ingredient of this moisturizer though, is the combination of prickly pear fruit and zinc oxide. Prickly pear is a natural antioxidant, and is chock full of omega fatty acids and vitamin E. This makes it naturally plumping, and will leave your skin looking wrinkle-free and radiant upon first use. This is why we love this product for mature skin!
Zinc Oxide, as a natural sun protectant, effectively deflects UV rays (both short and long form), keeping your skin defended from the sun rays without the chemicals found in most sunscreens. Because it’s so gentle, it’s a fantastic choice for daily use.
With a yummy citrus scent, you’ll be counting down the minutes until your next reapplication!
8. Raw Elements Tinted Facial Moisturizer, SPF 30
If you’re not a fan of foundation, and are having trouble finding a sustainable alternative for a tinted moisturizer, hold on to your seat- because we’ve hit the jackpot.
Raw Elements has got to be one of the most environmentally ethical, sustainable brands on the market.
This sunscreen comes in a biodegradable, plastic free tin (that’s also sustainably sourced), and offers the concealing benefits of a cosmetic, without the chemical makeup.
This product is a great match for medium based skintones, and leaves you with a natural, moisturized, sunkissed glow that equates to the look of higher end tinted moisturizers.
This sunscreen is SPF 30+ thanks to the addition of 23% Zinc Oxide, and is soy, gluten, and nut free, making it a great choice for those with allergies and sensitive skin. If you’ve heard of Leaping Bunny certification, you know what a high honor it is that this product meets those standards, meaning it’s cruelty-free, non-GMO, and entirely biodegradable.
If you’re a beach-goer, you’ll also love that this sunscreen is water resistant for up to eighty minutes – and that it won’t run into your eyes in the water. It’s a great choice for all skin types and all ages, so your whole family can feel the love. But we haven’t even gotten to the best part:
This sunscreen is reef-safe, meaning it’s made without oxybenzone and octanoate (aka, the nasty chemicals that are responsible for the bleaching of the coral reefs.)
9. Acure Radically Rejuvenating Day Cream, SPF 30
Part of their ‘radically rejuvenating’ line, the Acure SPF Day Cream is made with mature skin in mind! As you age, your skin becomes more vulnerable, leaving it more susceptible to the harmful UV rays from the sun.
With sustainably sourced Zinc Oxide, you’ll have a sun protection factor of 30, making sun damage a thing of the past. But that’s not the only star ingredient in this formula!
Chlorella and ferulic acid are what give this sunscreen antioxidant properties – protecting against free radical damage and filling wrinkles and fine lines.
To assist in anti-aging support, plant peptides take away the effects of oxidative stress, rebuilding your skin cells and promoting cell turnover.
To keep your skin free of bad bacteria, turmeric is also an active ingredient (and it does a great job and calming soothing angry skin as well). And, if all of that doesn’t sell you on this bottled magic, it also contains vitamin C, brightening hyperpigmentation and making you look even more radiant than you already are!
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