As a team, we’re passionate about making a positive impact on the environment. This summer, we’re excited to support the Safe Sunscreen Council – a group of 11 brands that give a crap and want to inspire change by making it easier than ever to choose a sunscreen that is safe for you and safe for the planet.

Since summer is in full swing, it means we’re spending time outside in the sun swimming, hiking, happy hour-ing and more. It also means we’re applying and reapplying sunscreen constantly.  

According to the Environmental Working Group (one of our favorite resources for choosing safe, non-toxic products), the most common sunscreens on the market contain chemical filters.  These products typically include a combination of two to six of the following active ingredients: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate,octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate.

What does this mean for our skin and the environment? Caroline Duell, founder of the Safe Sunscreen Council suggests, “there are a number of issues with these, varying from skin irritation to hormone disruption.  This is bad for us as human users of the sunscreen and doubly bad for us as we ingest it again in the fish, vegetables and other food we eat that is tainted because we swim in rivers and oceans or shower after covering ourselves in sunscreen with these ingredients.”

The question is how do you choose a sunscreen that is safe? According to Duell, “it’s simple: look at the active ingredients. You should only see non-nano zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide.”

A few of our favorite picks from the Safe Sunscreen Council include All Good’s Sport Sunscreen Lotion in the family size, which comes with a pump handle. The bigger bottle makes you more aware about really slathering it on instead of skimping when in the sun.  

We’re also loving Manda’s SPF 50 Organic Sun Paste, which is specifically formulated for those weathering harsh outdoor conditions (like biking, swimming or surfing) or who are prone to sunburn. This paste features Thanaka, an anti-inflammatory and regenerative ingredient derived from trees native to Myanmar, which has been used for over 2000 years as a natural sun protectant.

And lastly, we’re hooked on Babo Botanicals’ Pretty & Protective Lip Tint Trio, which comes in three sustainable shades and will keep your lips smooth and safe for summer.

What are your tips for practicing safe sun? Tell us on Instagram and Facebook.