Best Pregnancy-Safe Sunscreens, Tested by Moms-to-Be

Wearing facial sunscreen daily is the best way to preserve your skin health and also helps to reduce the risk of melasma, which is linked to sun or heat exposure. With this in mind, we tested a range of pregnancy-safe facial sunscreens—and the Solara Skincare Guardian Angel Super Peptide Sunscreen Milk emerged as a clear winner in this category.

Our product tester Logan used this sunscreen during her third trimester and earned high scores across the board, with an average rating of 9.5 out of 10. She said it was easy to dispense the sunscreen with the dropper and she loved the lightweight, liquid texture. “It felt smooth on application and never felt greasy. It also dried down very quickly, allowing me to move on without it feeling heavy on my skin,” she remarked, adding that it felt “cool and hydrating” and sat well underneath her makeup. While it’s free from artificial fragrances, Logan noted that the sunscreen did have a mild scent. “It was not unpleasant, if anything it just smells ‘clean’ and sunscreen-y,” she explained. One of the biggest issues with mineral sunscreens is that they can leave you looking as pale as Casper the ghost. Fortunately, that’s not the case with Solara Skincare. Although the sunscreen is white in color when dispensed, it quickly turns translucent as you rub it in. “It did not leave any white cast, nor did it leave my skin looking pale or as if it had any sunscreen on,” says Logan happily.

In terms of effectiveness, this product earned a top score. “I was very happy with the 50 SPF that this sunscreen offered,” says Logan, who noted that she reapplied it every three to four hours and “did not suffer any sunburn, even after using /[it for] three days in full-sun at the beach.” Logan felt that this sunscreen would last for several months, and while she felt the price was a little high, she said she would consider repurchasing it as “the application made it worth it.”

SPF: 50 | Key ingredient: Zinc oxide 12% | EWG rating: EWG verified | Quantity: 1 fl. oz.

The safest sunscreens for pregnancy are natural formulas that physically block UV rays. And this organic sunscreen by Badger does just that. Pregnant product tester Whisper used the sunscreen on her body and gave it a 10 out of 10 score for effectiveness. “It does what it was created to do,” says Whisper, who confirmed that “it’s water resistant for about 40 minutes just like it claims.” But what really sets this product apart is the fact that it’s made with five ingredients. “Considering your skin is the largest organ your body has what you put on it matters,” says Whisper, who was happy to discover that “all /[of the] ingredients are plant-based or beeswax.” While some natural sunblocks have an earthy scent, our product tester reported that this sunscreen “doesn’t have much of a smell at all, which is fine when you're pregnant /[as] smells can make you sick.”

As for texture, Whisper said: “This is a very thick sunscreen! I mean like I had to really squeeze the tube to get some out kind of thick.” This dense texture is due to the fact that it's a water-free formula. To make it more pliable, the brand advises users to knead the tube before each use. Despite the fact that it is a thick, mineral sunscreen our product tester said there was “no white cast.” In fact, she said it was “moisturizing” and that it left her “a little oily looking.” Overall, she felt it was worth the money and said “this sunscreen is gonna last me awhile because it goes a long way.”

SPF: 30 | Key ingredient: Zinc oxide 18.75% | EWG rating: 1 | Quantity: 2.9 fl. oz.

A sunscreen stick is a great travel-friendly option you can throw in your purse for top-ups on the go. Pregnant product tester Erin reviewed this sunscreen and gave it a 10 out of 10 score for texture, color and value for money. Erin appreciated the ease of application, telling us, “as it's a stick sunscreen, it was very easy to just rub it all over my face /[and] hands. I barely needed to rub it in after finishing as it dried immediately after application and did not leave my skin feeling wet or sticky.” Speaking on the texture, Erin said it blended seamlessly into her skin and “felt very natural, like I wasn't wearing sunscreen at all.” Worried about the stick breaking or crumbling? Don’t sweat it. Erin reported that “the stick stayed intact as I applied it to my skin.” While it can be used on your body, the brand states that this sunscreen is primarily designed for your face and high points of the body, like your shoulders. Erin mainly used it on her face and said “this sunscreen left zero color on my skin after I applied it. While I rubbed it in just to make sure it was on, it didn't change the appearance at all as the sunscreen blended in perfectly with my natural skin tone right away.” That’s what we like to hear!

As for the formula, this sunscreen contains a high percentage of zinc oxide blended with plant-based ingredients, many of which are organic. “I like that it's a zinc-based product,” says Erin. For context, her regular sunscreen also uses zinc oxide and she told us that “it's been really great for improving my skin tone, preventing acne outbreaks and leaving my skin feeling smoother overall.” Erin noted that the ingredients in Babo Botanicals Super Shield Mineral Sports Stick are very similar to the product she usually uses, but the cost is significantly less. “I definitely think it's a great value for being only a little over $10,” says Erin who told us she would happily recommend this product to other pregnant moms.

SPF: 50 | Key ingredient: Zinc oxide 20% | EWG rating: EWG verified | Quantity: 3 fl. oz.

For people with melanin-rich skin, it can be tricky to find a nice, blendable sunscreen for pregnancy. That’s because physical sun-blockers often have a thick formula that leaves a chalky residue on the skin. But expectant mom Whisper gave the Dune Mineral Melt a top score in this regard, and told us that it “rubbed in just fine and left no white cast.” She added that although the liquid formula is light in color, “it does not make you look pale” and there was “no ashy look” after she applied it to her face.

Speaking of application, Whisper told us that this sunscreen was “very easy to apply” thanks to the squeezable bottle and said that “a little goes a long way.” It also scored a 10 out of 10 score for texture. Our product tester said the runny lotion had a thin consistency that “reminds me of a face moisturizer,” adding that it was “very lightweight” and “takes no time to rub in.” However, she did note that it left her skin with a “light greasy feeling.” Despite the slightly greasy texture, Whisper acknowledged that this sunscreen is “great” in terms of skincare features as it “has minerals, tons of hydration and it’s enriched with youthful peptides.” And, most importantly, it protected her skin from UV rays. “I reapplied every two hours as directed,” says Whisper who confirmed that she experienced “no burning, no peeling and no sunburn.” Due to her positive experience using this pregnancy-safe sunscreen, Whisper told us that she would “happily” purchase this product and said “it is definitely worth the price.” However she may not have to click buy for a while as she “believes this will last me the rest of the summer and probably into next summer.”

SPF: 30 | Key ingredient: Zinc oxide 4.8%, titanium dioxide 2.3% | EWG rating: N/A | Quantity: 1.7 fl. oz.

Mineral formulas are the safest sunscreens for pregnancy, but applying a cream all over your body can feel like a chore. Enter: Pipette’s Mineral Sunscreen Spray. Erin was delighted to find that it was “super-easy to use!” Unlike cream formulas that need to be dispensed on your hand first, Erin said “I just peeled off the plastic on top of the bottle and sprayed it on my face /[and] arms.” While Erin liked the ease of application, she did note that the texture was “a little heavy” and it took a while to rub in. “It was mostly fine, although it left my skin looking a little greasy and the white cast was hard to rub out,” she explained.

One area in which this sunscreen earned a high score was effectiveness. According to Erin, “I was out in the sun a lot during the day wearing this product and I felt it did a good job protecting my skin.” She had to reapply the sunscreen after going to the gym, but she felt that was understandable for a product of this type. Our product tester also gave it a 10 out of 10 rating for value for money. “This is a lot cheaper than comparable brands, so I think it's a really good deal,” says Erin who said she would definitely recommend this brand to other parents.

SPF: 30 | Key ingredient: Zinc oxide 14% | EWG rating: N/A | Quantity: 6 fl. oz.

Like a product that does it all? This three-in-one skin tint moisturizes, blurs imperfections and shields your face from harmful UV rays. Better yet, it’s available in 14 different shades that range from fair to deep. Whisper used the Well People Bio Tint in shade 7N, and said “the color match is pretty spot on.” She gave it a 10 out of 10 score for color and said: “I found my shade and it is very close to my natural shade.” Aside from the great color match, our product tester was a fan of the “creamy texture,” which reportedly “feels just like your everyday foundation.” According to Whisper, one or two pumps is all you need for sheer coverage. But she went on to say that “it’s buildable, meaning you can replace your foundation with it.” She liked that it “absorbed very easily” and feels “like you’re wearing nothing” as there is no greasy residue.

Our product tester applied the tinted sunscreen once in the morning and it was very effective. It “works great” she said, noting that it’s sweat- and water-resistant and that she experienced “no sunburn.” She was also happy to discover that this product was vegan and cruelty-free. “It is a plant-based product and the ingredients show that to be true. A longer list but things like aloe, shea butter, broccoli seed oil, raspberry seed oil and tons of other great plant products,” says Whisper. As it is a plant-based formula it does have “a very natural smell,” which some people may not like. However, Whisper noted that “the smell fades once it’s dried down.” As she concluded her review, our product tester said this sunscreen was “a great buy” and added that she believes it “will probably last the rest of the year.”

SPF: 30 | Key ingredient: Zinc oxide 20% | EWG rating: EWG verified | Quantity: 1.2 fl. oz.

For many people a face sunscreen is the last step in their skincare routine, so finding a complimentary product that sits well under makeup is key. Supergoop’s Mineral Sheerscreen is a popular choice thanks to its pregnancy-safe ingredients and easily blendable formula. Logan reviewed this sunscreen and gave it a high score across multiple categories, including scent, color, effectiveness, ingredients and value for money.

Logan, who is in her second trimester of pregnancy, said that the Supergoop sunscreen was “pretty scent-less” and “did not trigger nausea.” She noted that “a little went a long way […] and it was easy to apply” but felt that the packaging could be improved. While it was easy to dispense the correct amount of product from the squeezy tube, “I do think that having to screw off the cap at the end of your skincare routine can be tricky since your hands normally have serums and products /[on them].” In terms of texture, Logan described it as a “thick, creamy sunscreen” that has the consistency of a moisturizer. She added that “it felt greasy at first but once it dried down, it ended up feeling smooth” providing sheer coverage and a “natural glow.”

Another area in which this pregnancy-safe sunscreen performed well was effectiveness. “I was happy with the 30 SPF protection,” says Logan who confirmed that she didn’t suffer any sunburn while using it. She also agreed with the brand’s claim that the sunscreen “glides on and blends effortlessly.” She ended her review by saying she would recommend the sunscreen to other pregnant people because “I think the price is reasonable and I like the glow it gave my skin.”

SPF: 30 | Key ingredient: Zinc oxide 17.5% | EWG rating: 2 | Quantity: 0.5 fl. oz.

Any mama-to-be is glowing already, but this lightweight formula promises to even out your skin tone, fight signs of aging and shield your skin from the sun. We put the brand’s claims to the test with product tester Brenda, who was 39 weeks pregnant at the time of testing. She liked this sunscreen, awarding it a high score for ease of use and scent but was particularly impressed by the color match. It comes in four shades (ranging from light pearl to dark cocoa) created with 100 percent natural pigments. Brenda said “this sunscreen dispenses with a tan hue, but blends seamlessly into the skin without leaving a white cast.” She continued to say that “it offers a natural, glowing finish and matches my skin tone well, enhancing my complexion.”

A great daily pick for sensitive skin, this pregnancy-safe sunscreen is free from both chemicals and nano-particles that have been shown to damage coral reefs. Brenda, who has combination skin, noted that this sunscreen “didn't cause breakouts or irritation.” The vegan formula contains barrier-strengthening and hydrating shea butter, jojoba esters, sunflower oil and vitamin E. Due to the plant-based ingredients, the texture isn’t as smooth as other sunscreen products on this list. “This sunscreen features a liquid formula that occasionally separates into a watery base with lumps,” says Brenda. However, she added that “once mixed, it has a creamy texture that feels smooth and thick on the skin, sitting well on the face.” As for the fragrance, our product tester said “it has a pleasant, natural scent that doesn’t trigger nausea.” Overall, this sunscreen performed well and lived up to the hype. “I was impressed with this sunscreen’s SPF protection; it effectively prevented sunburn even without reapplication,” says Brenda, who said she would repurchase it in the future.

SPF: 30 | Key ingredient: Zinc oxide 20.4% | EWG rating: EWG verified | Quantity: 1 fl. oz.

Suffering from morning sickness? Fragranced products can trigger bouts of nausea, especially during the early stages of pregnancy. And while most of the sunscreens on this list are free from artificial fragrance, many still have a distinctly natural smell. Fortunately, the Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 is different. “I did not notice any scent at all, which I honestly think is a plus,” says Erin, who awarded it a 10 out of 10 score in this category. “I had terrible nausea with scents in the first trimester and even a ‘neutral’ smell would set me off,” she explains, adding that a lot of supposedly unscented products have a distinctly waxy smell, which she found off-putting. However, she praised Blue Lizard as “a genuinely unscented product, which I would have much appreciated during the first trimester.”

“It was easy to apply by simply rubbing the stick on my skin,” says Erin. Although she did find that it felt sticky and left a white cast on the skin. Despite that, this pregnancy-safe sunscreen still earned a high score for effectiveness. “I applied this before walking to the gym on a pretty sunny day and I definitely felt adequately protected,” explained Erin. She also told us that she didn’t notice any extra sweating while working out with this product on, which is an issue she’s had with other sunscreens in the past. Erin rounded out her review of effectiveness by saying: “I think this one is particularly great for a day where you expect to be more active.” As for the ingredients list, our product tester appreciated the inclusion of zinc oxide and noted that “it’s also 100 percent vegan, which I'm sure is a major plus for a lot of users.”

SPF: 50 | Key ingredient:Zinc oxide 20% | EWG rating: 2 | Quantity: 0.5 fl. oz.

Is your skin crying out for hydration? Look no further than this moisturizing formula by Crunchi. Brenda used the word hydrating multiple times when describing this product and gave it a high score across multiple testing criteria.

Application is quick and easy thanks to the bottle’s nifty pump dispenser. Brenda said that you only need a “small amount for sufficient coverage” and said “it applies smoothly and absorbs quickly, although it initially feels slightly wet on the skin.” When describing the texture, our product tester said it has a “watery consistency that feels comfortable on the skin.” She was pleasantly surprised to find the white lotion didn’t leave a white cast or make her look pale: “Instead, it absorbs well, providing a hydrated, natural look without any tint.” It also earned a high score for effectiveness and Brenda told us that “the sunscreen provided excellent SPF protection, preventing sunburn even with reapplication every two hours.” While some of the ingredients were unfamiliar to our product tester the organic formula didn’t cause any skin irritation or breakouts. On the contrary, she said that “it delivers effective, soothing protection.” Although our product tester felt the price per ounce was a little high, she said that “its effectiveness and performance justify the cost.”

SPF: 30 | Key ingredient: Zinc oxide 12.5% | EWG rating: EWG verified | Quantity: 1 fl. oz.