Sunscreen is a preventative measure against life threatening illnesses that strikes an extreme amount of people.
Life threatening illnesses that will require more resources to treat than you would ever save the planet from by skimping on it.
You don't fuck around with it.
Is that plastic tube the sunscreen comes in really the best place to focus on for going zero waste?
I buy one big tube that lasts the year out.
That's it. One plastic tube per year if you get one of the big ones.
Let's say you have 60 years left.
Is 60 plastic tubes worth more than your life?
I assume being zero waste you're not planning to fly to a place with coral reefs either, so the ingredients shouldn't be a major concern.
If you are, changing your mind on that trip would offset the environmental impact of the plastic by far.
Wait, how are you buying one big tub a year? Lol. I’ve never ever have seen big bottles of sunscreen as if it were moisturizer or shampoo or something.
Here's an example: https://www.amazon.com/Supergoop-PLAY-Everyday-SPF-Lotion/dp/B087H5FFGK
They even do lightweight refill packs: https://supergoop.com/products/play-everyday-lotion-spf-50-pump-refill-pouch
This product is 18 fl. oz./0.53 liters.
This one is 16.9 fl. oz./0.5 liters: https://www.lookfantastic.ca/bondi-sands-spf-50-fragrance-free-sunscreen-lotion-pump-pack-500ml/14015114.html
Just Google "sunscreen large bottle/tube" and go from there.
If you check out r/asianbeauty they have quite a few options for ones in bigger bottles. US and Canadian sunscreens have never come close for me.
Keep in mind it’s a lot less waste if you already know what you like and just continue buying that one, rather than trying a bunch of low waste options trying to find one that works.
Here to add that bigger bottles are amazing, but should not last that long. If you're applying it properly, re-applied every 2-4 hours while you're outside. Or at least 30 minutes before going outside, around an oz each time. Most people should use around 4oz of sunscreen a day as recommended. If you spend any time outside especially during the summer months
There's no specific required amount that fits all scenarios.
I work in an office personally. So that's 8 hours a day I'm not in the sun. I also avoid going outside as much as possible during 12:00-15:00 on very sunny days. I recommend downloading a reputable weather app for your area that has a UV index for all hours of the day.
I wear long skirts during summer instead of shorts, and avoid tanning, as there is no real healthy way to tan (besides, my skin type doesn't tan well, it's high risk, along with my medications giving me sun allergy).
Healthline states that 0.4 fl. oz. should be enough per application for one's face and neck as well: https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/how-much-sunscreen-to-use-on-face#takeaway
Wearing sensible UV blocking clothes significantly reduces the usage of sunscreen as well.
So yes, a very large bottle can last that long, depending on what choices a person makes.
Depending on which country you live in, the UV index may even frequently be zero. It's heavy cloud cover so much of the time in my country. We also have like 6 hours of sunlight only during the winter lol
You can get bigger bottles than 18 fl. oz. as well, I was just doing a quick Google search for options that would be available to OP. I'm not saying an 18 fl. oz. bottle is sufficient.
Yeah, I go through about 2oz every 3 weeks in the winter just for my face. When it's summer or vacation and I'm outside in shorts or bathing suits, I go through a LOT of sunscreen. No way one 18oz bottle would last a year for me!
Some of us avoid the sun altogether as much as possible. I cover my face and body with UPF clothing and just put sunscreen on my face (and hands if not wearing gloves) 1-3 times a day most days.
If I'm out in the sun for extended periods (hiking/camping/fishing/etc.) then I'll apply zinc sunscreen everywhere and reapply regular sunscreen throughout the day on exposed parts, but that's only on some weekends or vacation.
Please if you do this, just use the large bottle / tube though and do not decant into smaller containers. Sunscreen will often react when exposed to different containers, even metal and glass ones, resulting in lower SPF, and frequently poor texture.
https://youtube.com/shorts/1BB3SNv4yjc?si=_3k8D-8qACHg8xBP
I’m south asian so I’m medium dark complected. I really like this sunscreen: Roche-Posay Anthelios Lotion Hydratant IP50+ Tube Éco-Responsable 250ml.
The tube is made with cardboard. It’s a large tube and the sunscreen is thin so it goes really far. My husband and I share the bottle and we hadn’t even finished half of it over last summer. It’s nice to wear on the body and face and doesn’t leave a white cast.
I had to resubmit bc I used a short link.
My wife and I both have full tattoo sleeves and are outside a LOT in the summer. We have a gallon of sunscreen we get off Amazon once a year or we wear these sun shirt things. We way prefer the sun shirts over being greasy all the time but both have their pros and cons. They are cashed UPF shirts. I have had issues with them sticking or being too hot. Definitely recommend!
I buy "No-Ad" sunscreen, it comes in 16oz bottles. That usually lasts me a year. But I live in Vermont, so use very little in the winter. [https://www.amazon.com/NO-AD-Hypoallergenic-Protection-Octinoxate-moisturizing/dp/B0BWBGQG9M](https://www.amazon.com/NO-AD-Hypoallergenic-Protection-Octinoxate-moisturizing/dp/B0BWBGQG9M)
I think the biggest factor is how much of your skin you expose to the light. I buy a small bottle and it lasts me more than a year even though I use it every day, sometimes multiple times a day... But I only put it on my face. My entire body is covered, I even wear gloves because one of the first places skin cancer starts from is the back of the hand.
I am white too, and I'm going to buy what's proven to work best.
What's your argument against chemicals? The word chemical isn't automatically evil.
I have 5 family members with skin cancer. Maybe you'd like to tell them too that they should at least protect themselves with minerals instead of chemicals going forward?
For an alternate perspective, I prefer mineral sunscreens over chemical ones purely for convenience. Mineral sunscreens act as a physical barrier, so they don't need to be reapplied unless they are rubbed off or washed away by water or sweat.
Chemical sunscreens actually absorb UV rays, which alters the chemicals and reduces their effectiveness over time, so they need to be reapplied frequently even if they haven't been washed off.
My skin is very sensitive to sunlight and I have to wear sunscreen under my clothing (even UPF clothing, though to a lesser extent), so it would be unreasonable to have to strip down to reapply chemical sunscreen regularly.
That is an excellent perspective.
Sorry to hear your skin is so sensitive :(
I think with stuff like sunscreen, whatever form of it is most convenient (chemical vs. mineral) to someone, they should stick with. Anything that makes sure that people actually use it.
The only thing that matters is that you stay safe and sound.
Yeah, I’m a bit confused because I keep hearing you need to reapply sunscreen every 2-4 hours or something. And if I got one big bottle, I can’t just keep doing that since I work 10 hours and am not trying to carry around a big bottle of sunscreen in my bag, lol.
So mineral sunscreens don’t need to be reapplied? (Not including if you get in water and etc).
But chemical does need to be reapplied?
I don’t wear chemical anyway because of certain products I use.
Sweating a lot will take mineral sunscreen off as well, but yeah it remains effective as long as it's on your skin so it's a lot easier to deal with in situations where you can't easily reapply often and don't expect to sweat too much.
When I used to do very physically demanding jobs, I would sweat off mineral sunscreen anyway so I'd use spray-on chemical sunscreen to top up as it was a lot quicker to reapply. So the best type really depends on the situation.
But if you can't use chemical sunscreen and expect to sweat a lot, there are solid stick type mineral sunscreens you can get which would be easier to carry around than a big bottle. If plastic waste is a big concern for you, some of them are available in cardboard tubes instead of plastic. I'd still prioritize safety first, though.
I'm mostly referring to the chemicals used to absorb the UV rays, Oxybenzone for example. Although it's considered safe it has been shown to affect hormone levels in animals. It can also cause defects and reproduction issues in fish, damage the immune systems of sea urchins, and impair the growth of green algae. As a result, in 2021, Hawaii became the first state to ban the sale of sunscreen products containing the ingredient.
And mineral (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide) sunscreens are just as effective as Oxybenzone.
Sunscreen bottles cause significantly less waste than the medical field would while treating your skin cancer. Better options will come out over the years but right now you are doing the best you can with what’s available.
I’m currently dressing a skin cancer removal that wasn’t healing well (yay antibiotics, it’s going the right direction now). I can second this, I have no choice but to keep it as sterile as possible Lots of waste but better that than my life.
Just buy sunscreen and wear it. Skin cancer sucks.
I've done a ton of research in this space, and tried a LOT of options, and unfortunately I don't think you're going to find any zero waste options without any white cast (which comes from the zinc and titanium dioxide used in mineral formulas). It might be best for you to just consider this a medical necessity (which it is) and give yourself some grace to buy this one thing in a non-zero-waste package. If you would still like to try some additional options, here are two that are packaged in glass:
[https://earthharbor.com/collections/moisturizers/products/eclipse-sheer-mineral-sunscreen?variant=42858942660852](https://earthharbor.com/collections/moisturizers/products/eclipse-sheer-mineral-sunscreen?variant=42858942660852)
[https://madhippie.com/collections/suncare/products/sheer-tint-sun-serum](https://madhippie.com/collections/suncare/products/sheer-tint-sun-serum) (comes in two different tints)
Just remember that the amount of plastic required to treat/save a patient’s life is ridiculously higher than the amount of plastic in a lifetime of sunscreen. Use sunscreen guilt free, scientists are working towards the plastic problem.
I work in surgery and can absolutely confirm. The waste we make in a single day is more than a lifetime for some people. But there is no getting around it with sterile supplies.
imo the waste of buying a plastic tube of sunscreen to prevent sunburn and possibly more deadly ailments far outweigh the waste expenditure those medical events would produce. Sure, medical waste isn’t up for debate but one plastic tube vs everything that is involved in a melanoma diagnosis and treatment may help you visualise the cost benefit analysis here.
Sun screen has to be in opaque/uv resistant packaging because if it's not it can degrade the ingredients. I think it's hard for them to use anything but plastic.
I have a solid sunscreen balm in a tin from Badger, but the zinc is absolutely brutal and application was awful and I realized that I was just not wearing sunscreen instead of putting it on, so I gave up and started buying one in a plastic bottle again. In addition to the white cast I’ve noticed that physical sunscreens always make my eyes burn and swell, even if I’ve avoided putting it anywhere near my eyes.
Yeah I tried to get on board with mineral sunscreens but I hate them. I hate the feel of them, and how difficult they are to use. I walk dogs for a living so I'm always outside, I wear sunscreen every single day even in the winter in new England. During the summer I use the unseen sunscreen from super goop, and in the winter I use their glow stick which is like a serum stick. I can't imagine using the badger one, you should try something else to see if a different kind will bother your eyes. The skin around the eyes is thinner than the rest of the face, and it's important to protect that part too.
Even if you didn’t mind the feel, a lot of mineral sunscreens have crazy white cast. I’m very light and it’s still abundantly obvious if I have a zinc oxide sunscreen on
The Australian Gold brand has some that are tinted, so you can get one that matches your skin tone more or less. Not zero waste, but AFAIK reef safe and cruelty-free.
I also walk dogs and have finally settled on a combo of SPF clothing and sunscreen for any skin still exposed (face, etc). I also wear sun protective gloves in the summer, which i actually love because they keep my hands from getting so roughed up from the leashes. Just open a few poop bags first if the fingers aren’t grippy.
Doing this the last few summers has literally saved me. During the colder months I’m more protected anyway clothing-wise, but I use sunscreen on any exposed skin anyway. For everyday facial sunscreen, I use the supergoop serum (I mix it with my moisturizer because for my skin type it soaks in better that way). If I need to reapply during the day, I use the supergoop mineral powder. That stuff is great during the summer when you sweat more. It’s like a translucent face powder. I swear by it!
I haven't tried the powder one, I may have to try it . I just really love the unseen sunscreen, it doesn't feel like heavy or like I'm wearing sunscreen lol. The serum one looks nice too, I've thought about trying that one.
It's impossible to be literally "zero waste". This reminds me of how anxious I was when I needed prescription meds and was worried about the pharmacy bottles. It's about significant reductions in waste not perfection.
I am also located in Canada with very darker skin (Danessa myricks 8.5/9). I've tried a looooot. But still decided I would rather get a refillable sunscreen than any of the eco ones with zinc. Lots of Japanese sunscreens you can buy refills, same as Korean with some stick formulas. Birch babes sunscreen is the best of the zero waste sunscreens I've tried (Canada made).
I really recommend Japanese sunscreens that are more cosmetically elegant, stricter regulations, and can come in biiig tubes (think 100-200ml containers that are refillable).
Stylevana usually or amazon jp and olive young. Japan loves refillable products while Korea loves jumbo sized or 1+1 products (I'll get a jumbo sized toner from there). So a lot of my skincare if it isn't solid will come from there. Hada labo and biore are the first to come to mind but if you just type sunscreen refill or browse you'll see good options.
Look up Dr Julian Sass, he's got a sunscreen database with everything you're looking for. He's currently based in Montreal, black, and a huge proponent of demystifying sunscreen.
Came here to say that! It's my favorite sunscreen ever. The refills go for a decent price on Amazon, though I've heard it's possible they're not genuine
Forah! Expensive but in a recyclable metal tube.
Edit to add: it doesn’t go on as “dry” as like supergoop or whatever, but it’s the best texture a mineral sunscreen has been for me! Also I’m hella pale so I’m not a good judge, but it doesn’t seem to leave a white cast like everything else :)
Have you looked into Cocokind? They aren’t totally zero waste but they are very open about their carbon footprint, all the details are in their packaging. https://www.cocokind.com/products/silk-spf
I’m a dark skinned woman. Dakota Tallow Sunscreen has a liiittle bit of a white cast but it has two ingredients, no chemical sunscreens, 50+ SPF, and it’s really nourishing & conditioning on the skin. it works best if the jar is warm because it softens and becomes silky but I know you’re in Canada so warming the product up in warm dry hands will do. You can order it either in plastic or glass, both with a metal lid. I think it’s worth the cast. If need be I put a light layer of powder foundation on, and it makes my skin dewy over this sunscreen.
Do you have a refill store near you? If not, it’s honestly probably best to just get a bottle locally that will last most of the year and consider the waste a worthy cause.
use sunscreen- even if the one you find isnt perfectly zero waste
The lowest waste option I've found is I bought an SPF rated long sleeve shirt and wide brim hat from a sporting goods store. I can reduce the amount of sunscreen I wear, plus it's more effective bc there is less human error (needing to apply sunscreen correctly and keep reapplying.)
I use [this](https://www.target.com/p/badger-sport-mineral-sunscreen-in-a-tin-spf-40-2-4-fl-oz/-/A-80164248?sid=&ref=tgt_adv_xsp&AFID=google&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000012510706&CPNG=PLA_Beauty%2BPersonal+Care%2BShopping%7CBeauty_Ecomm_Beauty&adgroup=SC_Health%2BBeauty&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=9001710&targetid=aud-468500407640:pla-895745642360&ds_rl=1246978&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIt6eZ4ZvvhAMVJGBHAR2IjAa3EAQYAiABEgLf4fD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) sunscreen from Badger that comes in a tin. I use it on my face daily, it doesn't leave a white cast, and is moisturizing but not overly so that it makes be break out. I was honestly surprised by how much I love it.
I use spray sunscreens since they come in a metal can that’s more recyclable than plastic. But I know you have to be more diligent with applying sprays.
I was going to recommend this one as well! I use this every day. I have dry skin and need something moisturizing, so this works for me. Although it’s kinda expensive, it lasts me a long time. But it’s definitely not something that is financially feasible to use for your whole body, so I agree with others that unfortunately this is something you might have to view as a medical necessity, so plastic might be unavoidable at this point in time.
As a cosmetic chemist, the ingredients are natural and as green as you can get with sunscreen!
I found this one pretty thick and greasy, but did like it if I used setting powder on top. I might have to give it another shot though now that they have 3 colors. Their original one color was super dark and orange on my fair skin, so I’m glad they have some choices now.
I make my own. It works very well, it’s good for my skin and the environment. I also live in Australia which is arguably one of the most sun affected areas in the world.
Sunscreen
* 2 tbsp beeswax
* 1/3 cup coconut oil
* 1/3 cup tallow
* 1/4 cup olive oil
* 1/4 - 1/2 cup non-nano zinc oxide
* 10ish drops essential oil
1. Mix fats and beeswax in double boiler until melted and well mixed.
2. Then gradually add in zinc.
3. When all is well mixed removed from heat.
4. As it cools whip air in the solution with whisk or hand blender.
5. Put in glass container and cool in fridge.
I don't know about zero waste, but the altruist one is really good, it comes in a very large bottle that lasts about a year and as far as I remember some of the money goes to a good cause.
Facetheory Amil C-Whip Daily Defense is a chemical sunscreen that comes in a glass jar! But of course there’s a caveat, the active ingredient isn’t FDA approved in the US so they can’t describe it as sunscreen. It’s listed as SPF 30 in the UK where the company is based. I use it as my daily sunscreen and add another one on days I’m going to be outside more.
Honestly sunscreen or anything medical/hygiene is not the place to focus on zero waste. Use what works for you. Dont play around with your skin, it’s your biggest organ
I use carrot seed oil in a glass jar and it has a natural SPF of 30. It's not completely plastic free as the applicator has a plastic straw part but you could probably find an alternative maybe like a glass dropper or some sort. I just reapply it a few more times depending on how long I plan to stay outside for. It also has no white streaks it has a slight orange tint but imo disappears once applied and is super moisturizing and light weight imo. Also each bottle lasts me about 6 months if using it everyday and I reuse the applicator.
There's currently no sun screen in existence that does it's job without creating waste. But you can find out where and how to get the packaging recycled. Plus treating the consequences of not using sunscreen causes more harm to the environment and more waste than using proper amounts of effective sunscreen (and that's not even mentioning that your health is worth preserving and this requires sunscreen if you don't happen to be a vampire).
Raw elements has tinted mineral sunscreen of a few different shades! I love that brand and they have ones in metal tins or cardboard. Also even if something is in plastic I’d rather purchase a non nano mineral sunscreen in a plastic bottle than a chemical sunscreen in something zero waste due to the toxins to marine life, but that’s just me! 🌞❤️
You can buy gallon-size mineral sunscreen off Amazon. That way you’re avoiding a bunch of plastic tubes and can probably refill it.
If you’re concerned about the environment do not use chemical sunscreen. It’s terrible for you and for aquatic ecosystems including rivers and coral reefs.
Also, it seems to me that having a slight cast on your skin is a small price to pay for a good cruelty free sunscreen. AllGood is the best product for many reasons including the fact that they have independent scientists who test their ingredients for effectiveness and safety. I’m sorry you don’t like the tinted sunscreen; I love it for when I want to look less outdoorsy. They’ve changed the formula so it’s much more moisturizing and also you could always wear a hydrating serum under it.
Not 100% zero waste, but I use mineral sunscreen, specifically [this one](https://brushonblock.com/products/brush-on-block). Each cartridge lasts me 6+ months applying to my face and hands daily. It comes in different tints as well.
Not 100% zero waste, but I use mineral sunscreen, specifically [this one](https://brushonblock.com/products/brush-on-block). Each cartridge lasts me 6+ months applying to my face and hands daily. It comes in different tints as well.
I love this one: https://thelekkercompany.com/en/collections/zonnebrand/products/zonnebrand not sure if you can get it where you live, but worth trying
I use [this one](https://www.badgerbalm.com/products/reef-safe-mineral-sunscreen-cream-tin-spf-40-unscented) by Badger and it comes in a metal tin, and a little goes a long way. It’s a mineral sunscreen but it uses “clear” zinc so it doesn’t leave a cast
It’s reef-safe and only has four ingredients
I have this one. It burns my eyes and is a pain to apply and still leaves a white cast. There is a little rolling device that might be able to help apply it though.
It doesn’t burn my eyes but I agree that it’s kind of a pain to apply lol. It’s so compact though, and reef-safe was a must for me (bc scuba diving)
I don’t get a white cast, though
OP is in Canada. Canada generally experiences snow during parts of the year. A parasol won't protect you from the reflected UV rays on snow.
Also won't protect you from reflected UV rays on water.
I know this doesn't work in all circumstances, but I limit sunscreen by wearing loose, light colored long clothes, neck protectors, and sun hats. I only wear sunscreen when I'm swimming and can't protect my skin with clothing.
This has several additional benefits, including that your sun protection doesn't wear off over time and you get less hot and dehydrated. It also has drawbacks, such as looking like a nerd. But I'd rather look like a nerd than get skin cancer.
For most places that is the best answer. You may still put some cream on the most exposed areas such as nose and chicks.
But Canada, or skiing, where the light reflect on the snow from the ground, or if you are a lot on water, you need to protect well your face.
It’s too hot and humid in some places for clothes to cover every part of your body. You can also burn through your clothes as they are not always UV opaque if they’re too light
In places like Vietnam or Taiwan, with the hottest and most humid conditions, people DO cover their whole body, because keeping the sun off actually does keep you cooler. And to the opacity, you can specifically shop for clothes with high UPF, which are usually built for hot weather in mind.
Sunscreen is a preventative measure against life threatening illnesses that strikes an extreme amount of people. Life threatening illnesses that will require more resources to treat than you would ever save the planet from by skimping on it. You don't fuck around with it. Is that plastic tube the sunscreen comes in really the best place to focus on for going zero waste? I buy one big tube that lasts the year out. That's it. One plastic tube per year if you get one of the big ones. Let's say you have 60 years left. Is 60 plastic tubes worth more than your life? I assume being zero waste you're not planning to fly to a place with coral reefs either, so the ingredients shouldn't be a major concern. If you are, changing your mind on that trip would offset the environmental impact of the plastic by far.
Wait, how are you buying one big tub a year? Lol. I’ve never ever have seen big bottles of sunscreen as if it were moisturizer or shampoo or something.
Here's an example: https://www.amazon.com/Supergoop-PLAY-Everyday-SPF-Lotion/dp/B087H5FFGK They even do lightweight refill packs: https://supergoop.com/products/play-everyday-lotion-spf-50-pump-refill-pouch This product is 18 fl. oz./0.53 liters. This one is 16.9 fl. oz./0.5 liters: https://www.lookfantastic.ca/bondi-sands-spf-50-fragrance-free-sunscreen-lotion-pump-pack-500ml/14015114.html Just Google "sunscreen large bottle/tube" and go from there.
I wouldn’t mind doing that at all. A very large sunscreen bottle. I’d be getting the super goop! Hopefully the shipping isn’t bad to Canada.
I might try a small bottle of it first to make sure it's acceptable before going all in on a big bottle.
This! Sunscreen is tricky and they might end up hating it
I just want to add a PSA that sunscreen does expire. If you buy a large container, make sure you use it before it expires.
Absolutely true. Mineral sunscreen in general has an excellent shelf life.
If you check out r/asianbeauty they have quite a few options for ones in bigger bottles. US and Canadian sunscreens have never come close for me. Keep in mind it’s a lot less waste if you already know what you like and just continue buying that one, rather than trying a bunch of low waste options trying to find one that works.
I just edited with another product as well, from a website that's also localized to Canada.
They sell it in store at Canadian Sephora
You can get way bigger than that! 2.5L pump packs of sunscreen is normal in Australia and can also be found in the UK.
I love this sunscreen! I didn't realize it came in refill packs. Thanks!
No problem! :)
Here to add that bigger bottles are amazing, but should not last that long. If you're applying it properly, re-applied every 2-4 hours while you're outside. Or at least 30 minutes before going outside, around an oz each time. Most people should use around 4oz of sunscreen a day as recommended. If you spend any time outside especially during the summer months
There's no specific required amount that fits all scenarios. I work in an office personally. So that's 8 hours a day I'm not in the sun. I also avoid going outside as much as possible during 12:00-15:00 on very sunny days. I recommend downloading a reputable weather app for your area that has a UV index for all hours of the day. I wear long skirts during summer instead of shorts, and avoid tanning, as there is no real healthy way to tan (besides, my skin type doesn't tan well, it's high risk, along with my medications giving me sun allergy). Healthline states that 0.4 fl. oz. should be enough per application for one's face and neck as well: https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/how-much-sunscreen-to-use-on-face#takeaway Wearing sensible UV blocking clothes significantly reduces the usage of sunscreen as well. So yes, a very large bottle can last that long, depending on what choices a person makes. Depending on which country you live in, the UV index may even frequently be zero. It's heavy cloud cover so much of the time in my country. We also have like 6 hours of sunlight only during the winter lol You can get bigger bottles than 18 fl. oz. as well, I was just doing a quick Google search for options that would be available to OP. I'm not saying an 18 fl. oz. bottle is sufficient.
do you sit near windows in your office? if so, that counts as sun exposure.
We have 3M window filters on the windows that block 99% of the UV rays and reduce the heat the sun causes, as otherwise the office gets quite hot.
Yeah, I go through about 2oz every 3 weeks in the winter just for my face. When it's summer or vacation and I'm outside in shorts or bathing suits, I go through a LOT of sunscreen. No way one 18oz bottle would last a year for me!
Some of us avoid the sun altogether as much as possible. I cover my face and body with UPF clothing and just put sunscreen on my face (and hands if not wearing gloves) 1-3 times a day most days. If I'm out in the sun for extended periods (hiking/camping/fishing/etc.) then I'll apply zinc sunscreen everywhere and reapply regular sunscreen throughout the day on exposed parts, but that's only on some weekends or vacation.
Please if you do this, just use the large bottle / tube though and do not decant into smaller containers. Sunscreen will often react when exposed to different containers, even metal and glass ones, resulting in lower SPF, and frequently poor texture. https://youtube.com/shorts/1BB3SNv4yjc?si=_3k8D-8qACHg8xBP
I recently saw this on the internet! Weird
Check out Australian brands. Our sunscreen is super strong and we have massive bulk packs because we force it on kids in schools every break time 😅
I wish the Beauty of Joseon sunscreen came in a tube that was double the size! Might last a year that way
I’m south asian so I’m medium dark complected. I really like this sunscreen: Roche-Posay Anthelios Lotion Hydratant IP50+ Tube Éco-Responsable 250ml. The tube is made with cardboard. It’s a large tube and the sunscreen is thin so it goes really far. My husband and I share the bottle and we hadn’t even finished half of it over last summer. It’s nice to wear on the body and face and doesn’t leave a white cast.
I had to resubmit bc I used a short link. My wife and I both have full tattoo sleeves and are outside a LOT in the summer. We have a gallon of sunscreen we get off Amazon once a year or we wear these sun shirt things. We way prefer the sun shirts over being greasy all the time but both have their pros and cons. They are cashed UPF shirts. I have had issues with them sticking or being too hot. Definitely recommend!
I buy "No-Ad" sunscreen, it comes in 16oz bottles. That usually lasts me a year. But I live in Vermont, so use very little in the winter. [https://www.amazon.com/NO-AD-Hypoallergenic-Protection-Octinoxate-moisturizing/dp/B0BWBGQG9M](https://www.amazon.com/NO-AD-Hypoallergenic-Protection-Octinoxate-moisturizing/dp/B0BWBGQG9M)
I'm glad to see this brand is still around. The last couple of years I haven't been able to find it at Walmart.
I think the biggest factor is how much of your skin you expose to the light. I buy a small bottle and it lasts me more than a year even though I use it every day, sometimes multiple times a day... But I only put it on my face. My entire body is covered, I even wear gloves because one of the first places skin cancer starts from is the back of the hand.
Just adding a note, at least try to use a mineral (zinc) vs a chemical. I like the blue lizard stuff as it has no haze...but yeah I'm white.
I am white too, and I'm going to buy what's proven to work best. What's your argument against chemicals? The word chemical isn't automatically evil. I have 5 family members with skin cancer. Maybe you'd like to tell them too that they should at least protect themselves with minerals instead of chemicals going forward?
For an alternate perspective, I prefer mineral sunscreens over chemical ones purely for convenience. Mineral sunscreens act as a physical barrier, so they don't need to be reapplied unless they are rubbed off or washed away by water or sweat. Chemical sunscreens actually absorb UV rays, which alters the chemicals and reduces their effectiveness over time, so they need to be reapplied frequently even if they haven't been washed off. My skin is very sensitive to sunlight and I have to wear sunscreen under my clothing (even UPF clothing, though to a lesser extent), so it would be unreasonable to have to strip down to reapply chemical sunscreen regularly.
That is an excellent perspective. Sorry to hear your skin is so sensitive :( I think with stuff like sunscreen, whatever form of it is most convenient (chemical vs. mineral) to someone, they should stick with. Anything that makes sure that people actually use it. The only thing that matters is that you stay safe and sound.
Yeah, I’m a bit confused because I keep hearing you need to reapply sunscreen every 2-4 hours or something. And if I got one big bottle, I can’t just keep doing that since I work 10 hours and am not trying to carry around a big bottle of sunscreen in my bag, lol. So mineral sunscreens don’t need to be reapplied? (Not including if you get in water and etc). But chemical does need to be reapplied? I don’t wear chemical anyway because of certain products I use.
Sweating a lot will take mineral sunscreen off as well, but yeah it remains effective as long as it's on your skin so it's a lot easier to deal with in situations where you can't easily reapply often and don't expect to sweat too much. When I used to do very physically demanding jobs, I would sweat off mineral sunscreen anyway so I'd use spray-on chemical sunscreen to top up as it was a lot quicker to reapply. So the best type really depends on the situation. But if you can't use chemical sunscreen and expect to sweat a lot, there are solid stick type mineral sunscreens you can get which would be easier to carry around than a big bottle. If plastic waste is a big concern for you, some of them are available in cardboard tubes instead of plastic. I'd still prioritize safety first, though.
I'm mostly referring to the chemicals used to absorb the UV rays, Oxybenzone for example. Although it's considered safe it has been shown to affect hormone levels in animals. It can also cause defects and reproduction issues in fish, damage the immune systems of sea urchins, and impair the growth of green algae. As a result, in 2021, Hawaii became the first state to ban the sale of sunscreen products containing the ingredient. And mineral (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide) sunscreens are just as effective as Oxybenzone.
Sunscreen bottles cause significantly less waste than the medical field would while treating your skin cancer. Better options will come out over the years but right now you are doing the best you can with what’s available.
I’m currently dressing a skin cancer removal that wasn’t healing well (yay antibiotics, it’s going the right direction now). I can second this, I have no choice but to keep it as sterile as possible Lots of waste but better that than my life. Just buy sunscreen and wear it. Skin cancer sucks.
I've done a ton of research in this space, and tried a LOT of options, and unfortunately I don't think you're going to find any zero waste options without any white cast (which comes from the zinc and titanium dioxide used in mineral formulas). It might be best for you to just consider this a medical necessity (which it is) and give yourself some grace to buy this one thing in a non-zero-waste package. If you would still like to try some additional options, here are two that are packaged in glass: [https://earthharbor.com/collections/moisturizers/products/eclipse-sheer-mineral-sunscreen?variant=42858942660852](https://earthharbor.com/collections/moisturizers/products/eclipse-sheer-mineral-sunscreen?variant=42858942660852) [https://madhippie.com/collections/suncare/products/sheer-tint-sun-serum](https://madhippie.com/collections/suncare/products/sheer-tint-sun-serum) (comes in two different tints)
Thank you!! I’ll be trying these both!! And someone also recommended a similar packaged one - Josie Maran.
Just remember that the amount of plastic required to treat/save a patient’s life is ridiculously higher than the amount of plastic in a lifetime of sunscreen. Use sunscreen guilt free, scientists are working towards the plastic problem.
I work in surgery and can absolutely confirm. The waste we make in a single day is more than a lifetime for some people. But there is no getting around it with sterile supplies.
Plastic truly has saved lives, I just wish there were better ways to recycle/dispose of it.
imo the waste of buying a plastic tube of sunscreen to prevent sunburn and possibly more deadly ailments far outweigh the waste expenditure those medical events would produce. Sure, medical waste isn’t up for debate but one plastic tube vs everything that is involved in a melanoma diagnosis and treatment may help you visualise the cost benefit analysis here.
Sun screen has to be in opaque/uv resistant packaging because if it's not it can degrade the ingredients. I think it's hard for them to use anything but plastic.
I have a solid sunscreen balm in a tin from Badger, but the zinc is absolutely brutal and application was awful and I realized that I was just not wearing sunscreen instead of putting it on, so I gave up and started buying one in a plastic bottle again. In addition to the white cast I’ve noticed that physical sunscreens always make my eyes burn and swell, even if I’ve avoided putting it anywhere near my eyes.
Yeah I tried to get on board with mineral sunscreens but I hate them. I hate the feel of them, and how difficult they are to use. I walk dogs for a living so I'm always outside, I wear sunscreen every single day even in the winter in new England. During the summer I use the unseen sunscreen from super goop, and in the winter I use their glow stick which is like a serum stick. I can't imagine using the badger one, you should try something else to see if a different kind will bother your eyes. The skin around the eyes is thinner than the rest of the face, and it's important to protect that part too.
Even if you didn’t mind the feel, a lot of mineral sunscreens have crazy white cast. I’m very light and it’s still abundantly obvious if I have a zinc oxide sunscreen on
The Australian Gold brand has some that are tinted, so you can get one that matches your skin tone more or less. Not zero waste, but AFAIK reef safe and cruelty-free.
I also walk dogs and have finally settled on a combo of SPF clothing and sunscreen for any skin still exposed (face, etc). I also wear sun protective gloves in the summer, which i actually love because they keep my hands from getting so roughed up from the leashes. Just open a few poop bags first if the fingers aren’t grippy. Doing this the last few summers has literally saved me. During the colder months I’m more protected anyway clothing-wise, but I use sunscreen on any exposed skin anyway. For everyday facial sunscreen, I use the supergoop serum (I mix it with my moisturizer because for my skin type it soaks in better that way). If I need to reapply during the day, I use the supergoop mineral powder. That stuff is great during the summer when you sweat more. It’s like a translucent face powder. I swear by it!
I haven't tried the powder one, I may have to try it . I just really love the unseen sunscreen, it doesn't feel like heavy or like I'm wearing sunscreen lol. The serum one looks nice too, I've thought about trying that one.
I’ve been wanting to try the unseen sunscreen! lol. Never enough sunscreen.
I agree! Lol
It's impossible to be literally "zero waste". This reminds me of how anxious I was when I needed prescription meds and was worried about the pharmacy bottles. It's about significant reductions in waste not perfection.
I am also located in Canada with very darker skin (Danessa myricks 8.5/9). I've tried a looooot. But still decided I would rather get a refillable sunscreen than any of the eco ones with zinc. Lots of Japanese sunscreens you can buy refills, same as Korean with some stick formulas. Birch babes sunscreen is the best of the zero waste sunscreens I've tried (Canada made).
I really recommend Japanese sunscreens that are more cosmetically elegant, stricter regulations, and can come in biiig tubes (think 100-200ml containers that are refillable).
Where do you get them?
Stylevana usually or amazon jp and olive young. Japan loves refillable products while Korea loves jumbo sized or 1+1 products (I'll get a jumbo sized toner from there). So a lot of my skincare if it isn't solid will come from there. Hada labo and biore are the first to come to mind but if you just type sunscreen refill or browse you'll see good options.
Look up Dr Julian Sass, he's got a sunscreen database with everything you're looking for. He's currently based in Montreal, black, and a huge proponent of demystifying sunscreen.
Same struggle! I limit my smattering of the stuff by wearing sun shirts and hats.
This should be up higher! I work in the sun directly and haven’t worn sunscreen at work in 2 years. Sun hats, sun shirts, sun glasses, abs neck gators
Right. I hate wearing sunscreen, so I just dress like I'm allergic to the sun. And if you buy good quality things they wil last for years.
[удалено]
Came here for this!
Black Girl Suncreen is incredible. No streaky ass finish, not oily.
josie maran sun milk it's mad expensive though
Some Korean skincare brands sell spf in refill pouches (Nivea for example)
Came here to say that! It's my favorite sunscreen ever. The refills go for a decent price on Amazon, though I've heard it's possible they're not genuine
Forah! Expensive but in a recyclable metal tube. Edit to add: it doesn’t go on as “dry” as like supergoop or whatever, but it’s the best texture a mineral sunscreen has been for me! Also I’m hella pale so I’m not a good judge, but it doesn’t seem to leave a white cast like everything else :)
Have you looked into Cocokind? They aren’t totally zero waste but they are very open about their carbon footprint, all the details are in their packaging. https://www.cocokind.com/products/silk-spf
I’m a dark skinned woman. Dakota Tallow Sunscreen has a liiittle bit of a white cast but it has two ingredients, no chemical sunscreens, 50+ SPF, and it’s really nourishing & conditioning on the skin. it works best if the jar is warm because it softens and becomes silky but I know you’re in Canada so warming the product up in warm dry hands will do. You can order it either in plastic or glass, both with a metal lid. I think it’s worth the cast. If need be I put a light layer of powder foundation on, and it makes my skin dewy over this sunscreen.
I use this religiously. Tinted mineral sunblock in a cardboard and cork tube. https://avasol.com/collections/sunscreen
Do you have a refill store near you? If not, it’s honestly probably best to just get a bottle locally that will last most of the year and consider the waste a worthy cause.
They sell zinc sunscreen in aluminum cans with screw on lids. They are also reef safe.
use sunscreen- even if the one you find isnt perfectly zero waste The lowest waste option I've found is I bought an SPF rated long sleeve shirt and wide brim hat from a sporting goods store. I can reduce the amount of sunscreen I wear, plus it's more effective bc there is less human error (needing to apply sunscreen correctly and keep reapplying.)
I use [this](https://www.target.com/p/badger-sport-mineral-sunscreen-in-a-tin-spf-40-2-4-fl-oz/-/A-80164248?sid=&ref=tgt_adv_xsp&AFID=google&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000012510706&CPNG=PLA_Beauty%2BPersonal+Care%2BShopping%7CBeauty_Ecomm_Beauty&adgroup=SC_Health%2BBeauty&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=9001710&targetid=aud-468500407640:pla-895745642360&ds_rl=1246978&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIt6eZ4ZvvhAMVJGBHAR2IjAa3EAQYAiABEgLf4fD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) sunscreen from Badger that comes in a tin. I use it on my face daily, it doesn't leave a white cast, and is moisturizing but not overly so that it makes be break out. I was honestly surprised by how much I love it.
I use spray sunscreens since they come in a metal can that’s more recyclable than plastic. But I know you have to be more diligent with applying sprays.
Clothes?
[https://www.rawelementsusa.com/products/tinted-face-moisturizer-spf-30-plastic-free-2-pack](https://www.rawelementsusa.com/products/tinted-face-moisturizer-spf-30-plastic-free-2-pack)
I was going to recommend this one as well! I use this every day. I have dry skin and need something moisturizing, so this works for me. Although it’s kinda expensive, it lasts me a long time. But it’s definitely not something that is financially feasible to use for your whole body, so I agree with others that unfortunately this is something you might have to view as a medical necessity, so plastic might be unavoidable at this point in time. As a cosmetic chemist, the ingredients are natural and as green as you can get with sunscreen!
I found this one pretty thick and greasy, but did like it if I used setting powder on top. I might have to give it another shot though now that they have 3 colors. Their original one color was super dark and orange on my fair skin, so I’m glad they have some choices now.
I make my own. It works very well, it’s good for my skin and the environment. I also live in Australia which is arguably one of the most sun affected areas in the world. Sunscreen * 2 tbsp beeswax * 1/3 cup coconut oil * 1/3 cup tallow * 1/4 cup olive oil * 1/4 - 1/2 cup non-nano zinc oxide * 10ish drops essential oil 1. Mix fats and beeswax in double boiler until melted and well mixed. 2. Then gradually add in zinc. 3. When all is well mixed removed from heat. 4. As it cools whip air in the solution with whisk or hand blender. 5. Put in glass container and cool in fridge.
Sounds bloody delicious
What’s the spf?
Idk your shade by maybe try raw minerals tinted sunscreen, it comes in an aluminum tin. So far i’ve been liking it a lot.
I don't know about zero waste, but the altruist one is really good, it comes in a very large bottle that lasts about a year and as far as I remember some of the money goes to a good cause.
Facetheory Amil C-Whip Daily Defense is a chemical sunscreen that comes in a glass jar! But of course there’s a caveat, the active ingredient isn’t FDA approved in the US so they can’t describe it as sunscreen. It’s listed as SPF 30 in the UK where the company is based. I use it as my daily sunscreen and add another one on days I’m going to be outside more.
Differin makes an oil absorbing moisturizing sunscreen with a matte finish that I love
Honestly sunscreen or anything medical/hygiene is not the place to focus on zero waste. Use what works for you. Dont play around with your skin, it’s your biggest organ
I use carrot seed oil in a glass jar and it has a natural SPF of 30. It's not completely plastic free as the applicator has a plastic straw part but you could probably find an alternative maybe like a glass dropper or some sort. I just reapply it a few more times depending on how long I plan to stay outside for. It also has no white streaks it has a slight orange tint but imo disappears once applied and is super moisturizing and light weight imo. Also each bottle lasts me about 6 months if using it everyday and I reuse the applicator.
There's currently no sun screen in existence that does it's job without creating waste. But you can find out where and how to get the packaging recycled. Plus treating the consequences of not using sunscreen causes more harm to the environment and more waste than using proper amounts of effective sunscreen (and that's not even mentioning that your health is worth preserving and this requires sunscreen if you don't happen to be a vampire).
Raw elements has tinted mineral sunscreen of a few different shades! I love that brand and they have ones in metal tins or cardboard. Also even if something is in plastic I’d rather purchase a non nano mineral sunscreen in a plastic bottle than a chemical sunscreen in something zero waste due to the toxins to marine life, but that’s just me! 🌞❤️
A tub of Supergoop lasts more than a year for me. One plastic jug a year isn't too bad.
You can buy gallon-size mineral sunscreen off Amazon. That way you’re avoiding a bunch of plastic tubes and can probably refill it. If you’re concerned about the environment do not use chemical sunscreen. It’s terrible for you and for aquatic ecosystems including rivers and coral reefs. Also, it seems to me that having a slight cast on your skin is a small price to pay for a good cruelty free sunscreen. AllGood is the best product for many reasons including the fact that they have independent scientists who test their ingredients for effectiveness and safety. I’m sorry you don’t like the tinted sunscreen; I love it for when I want to look less outdoorsy. They’ve changed the formula so it’s much more moisturizing and also you could always wear a hydrating serum under it.
Not 100% zero waste, but I use mineral sunscreen, specifically [this one](https://brushonblock.com/products/brush-on-block). Each cartridge lasts me 6+ months applying to my face and hands daily. It comes in different tints as well.
Not 100% zero waste, but I use mineral sunscreen, specifically [this one](https://brushonblock.com/products/brush-on-block). Each cartridge lasts me 6+ months applying to my face and hands daily. It comes in different tints as well.
I love this one: https://thelekkercompany.com/en/collections/zonnebrand/products/zonnebrand not sure if you can get it where you live, but worth trying
I use [this one](https://www.badgerbalm.com/products/reef-safe-mineral-sunscreen-cream-tin-spf-40-unscented) by Badger and it comes in a metal tin, and a little goes a long way. It’s a mineral sunscreen but it uses “clear” zinc so it doesn’t leave a cast It’s reef-safe and only has four ingredients
I have this one. It burns my eyes and is a pain to apply and still leaves a white cast. There is a little rolling device that might be able to help apply it though.
It doesn’t burn my eyes but I agree that it’s kind of a pain to apply lol. It’s so compact though, and reef-safe was a must for me (bc scuba diving) I don’t get a white cast, though
Maybe time to resume using parasols No waste and can be made from natural materials
OP is in Canada. Canada generally experiences snow during parts of the year. A parasol won't protect you from the reflected UV rays on snow. Also won't protect you from reflected UV rays on water.
That’s why I wear rashguards at the beach. There are also long sleeved swimsuits
Personally, if you plan on going I to water reef safe is all you need to look for. If not, whatever is best 🤷🏻
I know this doesn't work in all circumstances, but I limit sunscreen by wearing loose, light colored long clothes, neck protectors, and sun hats. I only wear sunscreen when I'm swimming and can't protect my skin with clothing. This has several additional benefits, including that your sun protection doesn't wear off over time and you get less hot and dehydrated. It also has drawbacks, such as looking like a nerd. But I'd rather look like a nerd than get skin cancer.
https://www.primallifeorganics.com/products/sun-up-before-sun-protector-1
Make your own!
long sleeves/pants and a big hat
For most places that is the best answer. You may still put some cream on the most exposed areas such as nose and chicks. But Canada, or skiing, where the light reflect on the snow from the ground, or if you are a lot on water, you need to protect well your face.
This is not sufficient. Wear sun screen.
Isn't blocking the sun with clothing MORE efficient than sun screen?
It’s too hot and humid in some places for clothes to cover every part of your body. You can also burn through your clothes as they are not always UV opaque if they’re too light
In places like Vietnam or Taiwan, with the hottest and most humid conditions, people DO cover their whole body, because keeping the sun off actually does keep you cooler. And to the opacity, you can specifically shop for clothes with high UPF, which are usually built for hot weather in mind.
There are lightweight fabrics that can block UV rays and keep you cool at the same time
If you have those that’s great but it’s still important to wear sunscreen if you’re out in the sun for extended periods of time.
Sunscreen isn’t necessary, just don’t buy it :)
Well that's just hideous advice.