I put my heart and soul into finding the best natural mineral sunscreen over the last 10 years. My family of 6 has personally tested over 100 reef-safe sunscreen options, putting two on our bodies every time we are in the sun.
Our a/b tests have been stringent, and we really know what mineral sunscreens are effective, rub in well, and last a long time.
Of all those well over 100 choices, we only have about a dozen that we love and this brand is one of them.
If you’re looking for one of the best natural sunscreens, you’re in the right place!
As you’ll read in the full review below, this zinc oxide sunscreen covers all the bases and keeps your family safe from sunburn. It uses pristine ingredients to the highest standard, goes on smooth, and actually lasts.
If you’d like to see how it stacks up against other natural mineral sunscreen brands that use reef-safe zinc oxide, then head over to my ultimate guide to natural mineral sunscreens for the complete list of safe sunscreen reviews.
Thinkbaby Sunscreen
Overall
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Clean Ingredients
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Ease of Application
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Water Resistant
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Effectiveness
Details:
Price Range: $$$$
Where to Purchase: thinkbaby, HerbsPro (ships worldwide), Well.ca (Canada)
SPF: 50
EWG Rating: 1
Active Ingredient(s): 20% non-nano zinc oxide
Other Ingredients: purified water, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, capric caprylic triglycerides, sorbitan stearate (coconut based), pine wood resin, vegetable glyceri), cetyl dimethicone, hydrogenated castor oil, magnesium sulfate (epsom salt), sunflower oil, jojoba oil, ascorbic acid (vitamin c), tocopherols (vitamin e), olive oil, raspberry seed oil, cranberry seed oil, hyaluronic acid (made from vegetable), glucose oxidase & lactoperoxidase, papaya
Antioxidants Added: Vitamin E, olive oil, raspberry seed oil, cranberry seed oil
Ease of Application: + Use small dots all over and it will rub in great
Scent: papaya, which presents as citrus to most of us
Water Resistant? rated to 80 minutes
Star Feature: Fairly frugal and good rub-in-ability (Check out my frugal natural sunscreen post for more budget-saving ideas!)
My Review: In 2017 / 2018, we retested thinkbaby at the request of many readers and viewers of my sunscreen spot on the news who weren’t happy to see that thinksport was so far down on the list. Like Badger, so many people love this brand that I had to give it a second chance. (Because I can’t guarantee the two brands are the same, although the ingredients are very close, thinksport is still in “brands other people love.”) We discovered that it rubs in quite nicely, I would say about average for the mineral sunscreens we like, better than many. Expect to spend a little extra time rubbing it in if you want it 95% clear.
My kids love the orange scent (which is apparently papaya!). We did have one instance where my oldest got burned on his arm through the lotion, thinking the Florida sun was too much for him. I would say to focus on reapplying more with this brand, and it may not be as strong as one would expect from an SPF 50. However, a friend with vitiligo tried it and had no problem on his very sensitive hands. He was brave to trust a new brand with that skin condition!
Note from Amazon reviews: A reader pointed out something that came up multiple times in the Amazon reviews for thinkbaby – that it tends to separate over time, and if it comes out of the tube anything other than white, it needs to be kneaded and/or shaken really, really well or you’ll burn because you’re not getting zinc oxide on your skin! We have had some intermittent experiences with the brand, and perhaps that’s why. Something to be aware of, with any brand really!
Pros
- rubs in fairly well
- frugal
Cons
- separates in the tube over time
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!