Looking for a reef-safe sunscreen that uses only zinc oxide as an active ingredient? You’re making a smart choice!
My family has tested over 100 natural mineral sunscreens over the last 10 years, so we know what really works. This brand is pretty good, but in my opinion, if you’re looking for the cleanest ingredients and smoothest application, then head over to my ultimate guide to natural mineral sunscreens and grab one of my top recommended zinc oxide sunscreens instead. My standards are really high though, so this one is still pretty good. 🙂
You can read all the details below to find out why this safe sunscreen brand did not make my top recommended list.
Block Island Suncare
Overall
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Ease of Application
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Clean Ingredients
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Water Resistant
Details:
Price Range: $$$$ (the popup on their site currently has a 15% off your first order coupon)
EWG rating: 1
SPF: 30
Active ingredient(s): zinc oxide (22%), non nano
Other ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf (Aloe Vera Gel) Juice*, Aqua (Deionized Water), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Oil, Gluconolactone, Glycerin*, Lecithin*, Octyl Palmitate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Xanthan Gum, Zemea Propanediol. (*Certified Organic)
Antioxidants added: green tea leaf extract, Vitamin E
Where to purchase: Block Island or Amazon
Ease of application: +/- Average for zinc-based sunblocks
Scent: neutral, not unpleasant
Water resistant? was thinner than the other we were testing – so thin that it came out all over the place! Without beeswax involved, I’m guessing this one struggles in water but we weren’t able to test it swimming yet.
My experience: We received this product at the very end of last summer, so the tests have been all non-swimming. I noticed a bit of white-out drying action when applying to busy, warm kids, although it rubs in pretty clear if you’re fast enough. After a few hours, I wrote down that it feels a bit gummy-ish on the skin, like it’s too thick. Or I was just sweaty. 
We quickly learned to only open it with the cap on top even though the container is made to be stored standing on its lid. Block Island is very thin and runny! That’s good and bad; it can mean it’s easier to rub in but also harder to control coming out of the tube.
Ultimately no matter how it rubs in, I can’t put this on on the most recommended list because it uses a synthetic preservative (sodium benzoate) and a few other not-as-natural ingredients. It’s still highly rated by EWG, so if you’ve got nothing else that works, it’s a great choice, but it remains in this section for me.
Star Feature: Reef safe, vegan, and able to go on an airplane (the size is correct). Cute little containers. 
Pros
- Thin formula is easy to rub in
- Airplane-friendly tube size
Cons
- Very thin and runny, hard to control coming out of tube
- Uses synthetic preservative
- No beeswax
Wondering if this one is the very best natural sunscreen for your family?
I organized alllll the sunscreens we reviewed in each one’s recommendation category – one page, at-a-glance to find out what is safe to buy AND works! Print it or save to your phone for reference!
The guide also includes answers to questions people ask me all the time:
- Which brand rubs in the clearest?
- What’s the best for all day outdoor sports?
- How do I save money on natural sunscreens?
- What looks good on ladies’ faces?
- Is there an option that is FAST to apply to wiggly kids?
I’ll send a copy to your email so you can see it right away and find it again later!