Best Cruelty-Free Sunscreens and Self Tanners

Posted by Calvin on May 26, 2023

Beautiful, warm days are here, and it’s time to soak up the sun! 🌞 Spending time outside has a ton of benefits—you can get fresh air and exercise and connect with Mother Nature. But sun damage can really put a damper on the fun.

Your skin is sensitive, and sunburns are really painful and can increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Luckily, there are many ways you can prevent these burns, like by wearing a hat, staying in the shade or otherwise avoiding the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., applying sunscreen, or using self-tanners to get a sun-kissed glow.

Protect your skin and help save animals with these cruelty-free products:

SUNSCREENS

One of the best things you can do is to wear sunscreen outdoors, and it’s never been easier to find formulas made without harming any animals.

JĀSÖN Family Sunscreen SPF 45

JĀSÖN’s sunscreens are all cruelty-free and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. For super-strong sun protection, try the Family Sunscreen SPF 45. An SPF 45 sunscreen can block about 98% of UVB rays and help prevent sunburn if used correctly.

Sunumbra Sport

Will you be swimming, biking, or playing sports outside this summer? Sunumbra Sport offers high UVA protection and SPF 40 UVB protection, making this sunscreen a top broad-spectrum choice. It’s gluten-free and designed specifically for active people.

Babo Botanicals Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

In 2010, Kate Solomon started Babo Botanicals to make clean and natural products safe enough for her newborn baby. The family-owned company is dedicated to creating personal-care items using nature’s finest offerings, like this broad-spectrum sunscreen made from 24 plant-based ingredients.

Trader Joe’s Spray Sunscreen SPF 50+

The next time you’re browsing through vegan treats at Trader Joe’s, pick up this easy-to-use SPF 50+ spray. Just press the top button to get a smooth stream of sunscreen containing aloe, vitamin E, and coconut oil.

MyCHELLE Protect Sun Shield Stick SPF 50

For over 20 years, MyCHELLE has led the clean skincare movement with innovative, eco-friendly products. This mineral-based sunscreen stick easily glides on when you’re in a rush and is enriched with avocado, jojoba, and vitamin E to help moisturize and protect your skin.

Arbonne FunSun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30

Arbonne uses plant-based ingredients and science-backed formulas to create products that support your entire well-being. This moisturizing sunscreen hydrates the skin with aloe vera and green tea and protects against the sun’s damaging rays—all without leaving a chalky white residue.

Bronzo Sensualé Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 30 for Sensitive Skin

Inspired by an Italian vacation, Keith Charney founded his Bronzo Sensualé (meaning “sensuous suntan”) sun-care brand, which has a special trait: Its sunscreens contain carrots. 🤯

These products, like the SPF 30 sunscreen for sensitive skin, include nourishing vitamins and antioxidants to keep skin fresh while you enjoy sunny summer days.

Yes to Tomatoes Fragrance-Free Clarifying Mineral Lotion SPF 30

Speaking of tasty ingredients, this creamy sunscreen has tomato extract. If you’ve recently used products to treat acne, the Yes to Tomatoes SPF 30 sunscreen provides the soft and soothing blend you need to calm your skin and reduce redness.

NO-AD SPF 50 SPORT Sunscreen Lotion

If you have an on-the-go lifestyle, this sunscreen is for you. It’s lightweight, non-greasy, and specifically formulated to absorb quickly and protect against UVA and UVB rays. No more hastily smearing clumpy sunscreen on your face as you buzz through your busy day—use NO-AD SPF 50 SPORT for easy application and long-lasting protection.

Ocean Potion SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray

Ocean Potion is back and better than ever. 🎉 The sun-care company relaunches on July 1 with brand-new leadership and the same high-quality formula that made us fall in love with its products. Mark your calendar, and try out Ocean Potion sunscreen for yourself.

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Body SPF 40

What makes this sunscreen stand out? You won’t even notice it’s on your skin. Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen’s weightless gel formula means you won’t see it or feel it after applying. You can be assured that it’s still working, though—the broad-spectrum SPF protection will keep your skin safe while you’re out in the sun.

SELF TANNERS

Hoping to get a gorg tan but nervous that you’ll get sun damage, too? Try a sunless self tanner to make it look as though you’ve been sunbathing for days, without exposing yourself to UV rays.

Suntegrity Moisturizing Self Tanner

Suntegrity knows your skin is precious. That’s why this sunless tanning lotion is infused with enriching ingredients like plant-based extracts, organic oils, and antioxidants. The natural formula gives you a golden tan indoors while protecting skin with deep hydration for a silky feel.

100% Pure All Over Glow Lightly Sun Kissed

Living up to its name, 100% PURE uses only toxin-free ingredients and natural pigments to produce healthy and environmentally sustainable personal-care items. Made with pomegranate, cocoa, and acai berry, this lightweight liquid bronzer helps you get a temporary sun-kissed glow.

Australian Gold Bronzing Intensifier Dry Oil Spray

For an immediately richer complexion, try Bronzing Intensifier Dry Oil Spray from Australian Gold. It’s made with Kakadu plums, the fruit with the highest vitamin C content, to boost collagen production and combines coconut, orange, and vanilla fragrances for a heavenly scent.

Alba Botanica Sunless Tanner

Want natural-looking color in under three hours? Go with Alba Botanica’s Sunless Tanner to be bronzed and moisturized with a beautiful blend of shea butter, grapefruit oil, and sweet almond oil. You can use a lighter layer for more subtle color or reapply after the tanner has set for a deeper tan.

Too Faced Natural Chocolate Bronzer

Here’s another temporary bronzer to give you a natural radiance that looks like you spent hours in the sun, without risking any skin damage. Infused with real cocoa powder, Too Faced’s Natural Chocolate Bronzer easily glides on skin and smells as good as it looks. 😍

Tarte Brazilliance PLUS+

Fake a post-Brazil vacay bronze with this natural self-tanner and application mitt. Perfect for people with dry, oily, or dry and oily skin, Tarte’s Brazilliance PLUS+ uses healing ingredients like aloe as well as squalene to promote exfoliation.

Kiss My Face Self-Tanning Drops

Mix these drops with your fave moisturizer for a custom tan. They are infused with coconut oil, chia seed oil, and liposomal Vitamin C and don’t contain any parabens, artificial colors, or synthetic fragrances. You can lather on one layer or reapply to get a deeper color—but wait four hours between applications.

SUNSCREEN AND SELF-TANNER COMBINED

Because what’s better than the best of both worlds?

Pacifica Mineral Bronzing Face Shade Coconut Glow

Sun care meets skin care at Pacifica with the Mineral Bronzing Face Shade Coconut Glow. The 100% vegan and animal test–free company made this SPF 30 product to give you a beautiful tan instantly and help you stay protected while enjoying yourself outdoors.

*****

Obsessed with skin care? There are tons of great brands offering top-tier products that don’t use animal-derived ingredients or exploit animals as test subjects.