The Best Vegan and Cruelty-Free Sunscreens (That Actually Work)
- Our Editors – Zenda Guide
- May 5, 2025
- 9 min read
Updated: Dec 19, 2025
Reviewed by Our Editors at Zenda Guide
Our content follows our Editorial Standards and is evaluated using the Zenda Lab Protocol.
Sun protection shouldn’t force you to compromise on ethics, performance, or transparency.
That’s why we created this guide to the best vegan and cruelty-free sunscreens — reviewed using the Zenda Lab PVS Method, our data-driven framework for evaluating how products actually perform beyond marketing claims.
Instead of vague labels, we assess sunscreens based on what matters most to real users: ingredient integrity, UV protection, skin feel, verified buyer feedback, and overall value. This allows us to fairly compare face, body, mineral, and tinted sunscreens — and clearly explain which options are best for everyday wear, outdoor use, or sensitive skin.
In this guide, you’ll find:
The best vegan sunscreens for face (non-greasy, everyday use)
The best vegan mineral sunscreens for body (beach, sports, family-friendly)
The best tinted and specialty vegan SPFs for simple routines
Table of Contents
What Makes a Sunscreen Vegan and Cruelty-Free?
Vegan: Contains no animal-derived ingredients (such as beeswax, lanolin, or collagen).
Cruelty-free: Not tested on animals at any stage, including through suppliers or third parties.
Third-party logos like Leaping Bunny, PETA, or Cruelty Free International can help — but they’re not the whole story. Some brands still sell in regions where animal testing may be required, which is why we always verify brand policies and ingredient transparency as part of our Zenda Lab review.
Below, you’ll find our top picks — clearly scored, honestly explained, and selected to help you choose a sunscreen that fits your skin, your lifestyle, and your ethics.
How We Selected the Best Vegan Sunscreens (Zenda Lab PVS Method)
Choosing a vegan sunscreen shouldn’t mean guessing between marketing claims and fine print. At Zenda Guide, we evaluate every sunscreen using our PVS Method — a transparent framework designed to assess how products perform in real-world use, not just on labels.
Instead of focusing on hype, we analyze each sunscreen across key pillars: ethical and ingredient integrity, UV protection and formula stability, skin experience, verified buyer feedback, and overall value. This helps us compare mineral, chemical, face, body, and tinted sunscreens fairly — based on how people actually use them.
Only vegan or vegan-friendly sunscreens that meet our editorial standards and achieve a strong Zenda PVS score are included in this guide.
For full details on how we research, score, and review products, visit the Zenda Lab Protocol.
Affiliate & Legal Disclaimer
This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Zenda Guide earns from qualifying purchases. Zenda Lab scores are based on data analysis, not physical product testing.
Best Vegan Sunscreens for Face (Non-Greasy + Everyday Use)
Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50
Best Premium Face SPF with Anti-Aging Benefits
This daily facial moisturizer combines SPF 50 broad-spectrum protection with hydration and anti-aging ingredients, making it ideal for everyday city wear. It’s designed for face use, not the beach, and excels in comfort and finish.
The texture is smooth, non-greasy, and makeup-friendly. It works especially well for normal to dry or combination skin and layers easily under foundation.
This is a conditional pick. While vegan, it’s not mineral-only or reef-focused, so it’s best for users prioritizing skin feel and routine simplicity over eco-marine considerations.
Why we like it
SPF 50 broad-spectrum protection for daily face use
Lightweight, non-greasy, makeup-friendly finish
Added anti-aging and hydrating benefits
Strong long-term user satisfaction
Consider before buying
Not mineral-only or reef-safe
Premium price point
Better for daily wear than beach use
Zenda Lab PVS: 7.3 / 10
Best for:
Daily facial sun protection with hydration and anti-aging benefits in a single step.
Babo Botanicals Sheer Zinc SPF 30
Best Mineral Face SPF for Sensitive Skin
This gentle mineral zinc sunscreen offers SPF 30 protection with a botanical, skin-friendly formula. It’s designed for everyday use and is especially popular with sensitive or reactive skin types.
The “sheer zinc” formula blends more easily than traditional mineral sunscreens, though lighter skin tones will find it most seamless. It’s comfortable for face use and works well under light makeup.
SPF 30 makes this best for daily exposure, not prolonged sun or beach days.
Why we like it
Non-nano zinc oxide mineral protection
Vegan-friendly, cruelty-free positioning
Gentle, botanical-based formula
Suitable for face and sensitive skin
Consider before buying
SPF 30 (not SPF 50)
Mild white cast on deeper skin tones
Not ideal for intense outdoor exposure
Zenda Lab PVS: 8.2 / 10
Best for:
Everyday facial sun protection for sensitive skin using a gentle mineral formula.
Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Lotion
Best Accessible Mineral Face SPF
This zinc-based SPF 50 mineral sunscreen delivers strong broad-spectrum protection in a simple, widely available formula. It’s hypoallergenic, reef-safe positioned, and suitable for both face and body.
The texture is classic mineral — slightly thicker with some white cast — but manageable for face use when applied sparingly. It’s a solid choice if you want higher SPF mineral protection without overpaying.
Why we like it
SPF 50 mineral zinc protection
Vegan and cruelty-free positioning
Reef-safe and water-resistant (80 min)
Easy to find and fairly priced
Consider before buying
Visible white cast on some skin tones
Thicker feel than chemical face SPFs
Zenda Lab PVS: 8.7 / 10
Best for:
Daily mineral face protection when you want higher SPF and reef-safe ingredients.
Best Vegan Mineral Sunscreens for Body
Thrive Natural Care BodyShield SPF 50
Best Overall Mineral Body Sunscreen
This high-performance mineral SPF 50 sunscreen is designed for outdoor and active use. It offers broad-spectrum protection with 80-minute water resistance and a formula that applies more sheer than most zinc sunscreens.
It’s a standout option for beach days, hiking, and family use — balancing strong protection with better-than-average skin feel.
Why we like it
SPF 50 broad-spectrum mineral protection
Water-resistant for active use (80 min)
Vegan and cruelty-free positioning
Minimal white cast for a zinc formula
Consider before buying
Slightly pricier than basic body SPFs
Still thicker than chemical sunscreens
Zenda Lab PVS: 8.8 / 10
Best for:
Beach days and outdoor activities when you want durable, reef-safe mineral protection.
Thinksport SPF 50+ Sunscreen
Best Mineral Sunscreen for Sports & Active Days
Thinksport SPF 50+ is a classic performance mineral sunscreen built for sweating, swimming, and long days outside. It uses zinc oxide for physical UV protection and holds up well in demanding conditions.
The texture is thicker and more traditional, but that’s part of why it performs so well during sports and water exposure.
Why we like it
SPF 50+ mineral zinc protection
Water-resistant and sweat-resistant
Cruelty-free, vegan-friendly formulation
Trusted brand for active lifestyles
Consider before buying
Thicker texture
Noticeable white cast if not fully rubbed in
Zenda Lab PVS: 8.75 / 10
Best for:
Sports, swimming, and long outdoor days when performance matters more than finish.
Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Lotion
Best Classic Mineral Body Sunscreen
This familiar zinc-based sunscreen offers reliable SPF 50 protection for full-body use. It’s vegan, reef-safe positioned, and water-resistant — making it a dependable everyday body sunscreen.
While not the lightest mineral formula, it’s consistent, affordable, and easy to find.
Why we like it
SPF 50 broad-spectrum mineral protection
Reef-safe and water-resistant
Good value for a mineral body sunscreen
Widely available
Consider before buying
Thicker mineral texture
White cast on deeper skin tones
Zenda Lab PVS: 8.7 / 10
Best for:
Reliable all-over body protection for beach days and outdoor use.
Best Tinted + Specialty Vegan SPFs
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30
Best Tinted SPF for Everyday Face Wear
If you want sun protection that doubles as makeup, bareMinerals Complexion Rescue is a great everyday option. It combines SPF 30 broad-spectrum protection with light hydration and sheer tint, helping even out skin tone without feeling heavy.
The gel-cream texture blends easily and leaves a natural, dewy finish. It works well on its own or under makeup, especially for normal to dry or combination skin.
This is a conditional pick. It’s not mineral-only and doesn’t carry a vegan certification, so it’s better suited for those prioritizing cosmetic finish and simplicity over reef-safe or mineral formulas.
Why we like it
SPF 30 broad-spectrum protection for daily face use
Sheer tinted coverage with a natural finish
Lightweight, hydrating gel-cream texture
Cruelty-free brand with strong buyer reviews
Consider before buying
Not mineral-only or certified vegan
SPF 30 is best for everyday wear, not long beach days
Shade matching may take some trial
Zenda Lab PVS: 7.3 / 10
Best for:
Daily face wear when you want light SPF + tint + hydration in one step.
How to Spot Greenwashing in SPF Products
Many brands throw around terms like "natural," "clean," or "eco", — but here’s what matters:
Transparency around testing policies
Full ingredient lists with no vague language
Clear certifications (Leaping Bunny, PETA, Vegan Society)
Don’t be afraid to email brands or dig into their FAQS. Ethical brands will be proud to share the truth.
What to Consider When Choosing Vegan Sunscreen
SPF Level: For face, SPF 30–50 is ideal. Higher doesn’t always mean better — reapplication matters more.
Broad-Spectrum Protection: Protects against both UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays.
Reef-Safe Ingredients: Avoid oxybenzone and octinoxate if you're swimming outdoors.
Your Skin Type: Look for oil-free or hydrating formulas depending on your needs.
Comparaison Table - Best Vegan Sunscreen 2026
Product | Zenda Lab Verdict |
Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50 👉 Shop on Amazon | Premium daily face SPF — PVS 7.3/10 Excellent texture, anti-aging, non-mineral |
Babo Botanicals Sheer Zinc SPF 30 👉 Shop on Amazon | Sensitive-skin mineral face SPF — PVS 8.2/10 Gentle zinc, SPF 30 |
Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 👉 Shop on Amazon | Accessible mineral SPF — PVS 8.7/10 High SPF, reef-safe |
Thrive BodyShield SPF 50 👉 Shop on Amazon | Best mineral body sunscreen — PVS 8.8/10 Sheerer zinc, outdoor use |
Thinksport SPF 50+ 👉 Shop on Amazon | Best for sports & water — PVS 8.75/10 Maximum durability |
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue SPF 30 👉 Shop on Amazon | Best tinted SPF — PVS 7.3/10 Makeup + hydration |
Disclaimer
Scores reflect a synthesis of publicly available data. Zenda Guide does not perform independent laboratory testing. As an Amazon Associate, Zenda Guide earns from qualifying purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vegan & Cruelty-Free Sunscreen
Is vegan the same as cruelty-free?
Not always. Vegan means a product contains no animal-derived ingredients. Cruelty-free means it was not tested on animals. A sunscreen can be one without being the other — for ethical skincare, it’s best to choose brands that are both.
What sunscreens are not tested on animals?
Cruelty-free sunscreens are made by brands that don’t test ingredients or final products on animals. Look for third-party certifications like Leaping Bunny or Cruelty-Free International. We’ve included several verified options in our product roundup.
Is Neutrogena cruelty-free or vegan?
No. Neutrogena is not a cruelty-free brand — they allow animal testing when required by law, especially in markets like China. Most of their sunscreens are also not vegan, as they may contain ingredients like beeswax or lanolin.
Is vegan sunscreen reef-safe?
Not always — but many are. Reef-safe means the product avoids marine-harming chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate. Check for “reef-safe” labels or scan ingredients. Many of our vegan sunscreen picks are also ocean-friendly.
What skin care brands are both vegan and cruelty-free?
Brands like Coola, Pacifica, Suntegrity, and Ethical Zinc offer vegan and cruelty-free sunscreens. These companies avoid animal testing and exclude animal-derived ingredients, making them ideal for conscious consumers.
What is the best vegan sunscreen?
It depends on your needs — for daily wear, we love tinted sunscreens with iron oxides. For beach days, mineral-based sticks with zinc oxide work well. See our curated list of the best vegan sunscreens for 2025
Final Thoughts: Protect Your Skin and Your Values
Choosing a vegan and cruelty-free sunscreen is about more than sun safety. It’s about living in alignment with your ethics, every time you step outside.
At Zenda, we only recommend what we’d use ourselves — no greenwashing, no guilt, just honest guidance.
This is your skin. Your sunlight. Your choice.
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About our editorial process
Zenda Guide reviews are produced by our Editorial Board using a documented methodology focused on durability, materials, and long-term value. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and Zenda Lab Protocol
