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Best Affordable Cruelty-Free Sunscreens for Under $20

ByCordelia

Best Affordable Cruelty-Free Sunscreens for Under $20 - Over 100 cruelty-free options for everyone!
Affordable Cruelty-Free Sunscreens

Today I’m sharing the best affordable cruelty-free sunscreens for under $20 with over 100 options available. This was a reader request after I made my Best Sunscreens for Summer video. As you know, I take sunscreen very seriously! I wear it every day, no matter what the weather is like. This is because UV rays can affect you on rainy days just as much as sunny days.

What SPF Do I Need?

Wear the highest SPF that you can stand to wear every day. Personally, I burn very easily and can’t tan. I’ve had experiences where I have been severely burned from the sun and gotten sick from it, so I am very conscious of it. I don’t want skin cancer!

You cannot rely on foundations with SPF to protect your skin, as you will not use enough foundation to provide protection. In other words if the foundation says SPF 50, you might end up applying enough to give you SPF 5 to SPF 8 protection. I look at makeup with SPF as a bonus and never rely on it to be sunscreen.

You need to use a full spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin. Yes, full spectrum is better than broad spectrum. My friend Christine from 15 Minute Beauty explains why you need Full Spectrum Sunscreen.

How Much SPF is Needed to Block UV Rays?

SPF 15 will block 93% of all UVB rays.
SPF 30 will block 97% of all UVB rays.
SPF 50 will block 99% of all UVB rays.

You need full spectrum sunscreen to block the UVA and UVB rays that damage the skin, cause premature aging, and can cause skin cancer.

How to Apply Sunscreen

I always apply my cruelty-free sunscreens as the last step in my skincare process in the morning. If I’m going to be outside, I reapply every 2 hours no matter what. I set an alarm on my phone to remind me to reapply. If I’m going to go swimming, I apply 20 minutes before I plan to swim and I make sure to use a water resistant cruelty-free sunscreen formula. Use at least an ounce of cruelty-free sunscreen for your body. Use at least a teaspoon of cruelty-free sunscreen for your face.

How to Reapply Sunscreen Over Makeup

I wait 20 minutes after I’ve applied my sunscreen and then apply my makeup. I use a makeup setting spray with SPF to reapply all over my makeup every 2 hours, being careful to avoid my eyes (I don’t want the mascara to run). However, typically I skip makeup when I’m going to be outside for several hours.

Are These Popular Brands Cruelty-Free?

Unfortunately, popular sunscreen brands like Aquaphor, Hawaiian Tropic, Neutrogena, Aveeno, Coppertone, La Roche-Posay, and Banana Boat are not cruelty-free. (Note: I’ve reached out to Australian Gold to ascertain their cruelty-free status)

Best Affordable Cruelty-Free Sunscreens for Under $20

Below are over 100 affordable cruelty-free sunscreens. I found these products at Ulta, Amazon, Target and Dermstore online, which are 4 places I frequently shop. All of these sites frequently have sales online and in-stores. Amazon often has coupons to clip to save even more online. Prices are subject to change based on sales, so the list below was accurate when this post was first published.

  1. Sun Bum Lip Balm SPF 30 – $3.99 for .15 oz
  2. Sun Bum Lip Balm Mineral SPF 30 – $3.99 for .15 oz
  3. Burt’s Bees SPF 15 Lip Balm – $3.99 for .15 oz
  4. Maui Babe SPF 30 Mango Lip Balm – $4.99 for .15 oz
  5. Pacifica Sun + Lipcare SPF 30 Mineral Balm – $5 for .15 oz
  6. Sun Bum Tinted SPF 15 Lip Balm – $5.99 for .15 oz
  7. Babo Botanicals Mineral SPF 15 Lip Balm – $6.49 for .15 oz
  8. Ulta SPF 30 Face Stick – $6.99 for .5 oz
  9. CoTZ UV Protection Sunscreen Lipbalm SPF 45 – $7 for .14 oz
  10. Every Man Jack SPF 20 Face Lotion – $7.49 for 2.5 oz
  11. Babyganics Mineral-based Baby Sunscreen SPF 50 – $7.99 for 6 oz
  12. Bare Republic Mineral SPF 50 Neon Sunscreen Stick – $7.99 for .3 oz
  13. All Good Coconut Sunstick SPF 30 – $7.99 for .6 oz
  14. No-AD Baby Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 – $7.99 for 13 oz
  15. Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50 – $8.39 for 3 oz
  16. L’BRI Vitamin E Stick SPF 22 – $8.50
  17. No-Ad Continuous Sunscreen Spray SPF 45 – $8.97 for 10 oz
  18. Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen SPF 45 – $8.99 for 4 oz
  19. Alba Botanica Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 – $8.99 for 4 oz
  20. Alba Botanica Kids Sunscreen Tropical Fruit SPF 45 – $8.99 for 4 oz
  21. Badger All Season Zinc Oxide Face Stick SPF 35 – $8.99 for .65 oz
  22. Alba Botanica Kids Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 – $9.49 for 6 oz
  23. Babo Botanicals Mineral SPF 15 Lip Tints – $9.95 for .15 oz
  24. Sun Bum Travel Size SPF 30 – $9.99 for 3 oz
  25. Sun Bum Clear Zinc SPF 50 – $9.99 for 1 oz
  26. Bare Republic Mineral Sport Stick SPF 50 – $9.99 for .5 oz
  27. Bare Republic Tinted Mineral Sport Stick SPF 50 – $9.99 for .5 oz
  28. Ulta Rose Water Setting Spray SPF 50 – $9.99 for 3.4 fl. oz.
  29. Sun Bum Face Stick SPF 30 – $9.99 for .45 oz
  30. All Good Zinc Sunscreen Butter SPF 50 – $9.99 for 1 oz
  31. Ocean Potion Sport Cooling Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 – $9.99 for 6 oz
  32. Jack Black Oil-Free SPF 45 – $10 for 1.5 oz
  33. Paula’s Choice Lipscreen SPF 50 – $10 for .15 oz
  34. Pacifica Sun + Skincare Mineral Face Stick SPF 50 – $10 for .6 oz
  35. Coola Sport Spray SPF 30 Travel Size – $10 for 1 oz
  36. Ocean Potion Face Clear Zinc Oxide SPF 50 – $10.19 for 2 oz
  37. Ocean Potion SPF 50 – $10.36 for 6.8 oz
  38. Sun Bum Signature Sunscreen SPF 50 – $10.39 for 1.5 oz
  39. Ulta Sun Care Mist SPF 15 – $10.99 for 6 oz
  40. Ulta Sun Care Mist SPF 30 – $10.99 for 6 oz
  41. Ulta Sun Care Mist SPF 50 – $10.99 for 6 oz
  42. Ulta Sun Care Lotion SPF 30 – $10.99 for 6 oz
  43. L’BRI Vitamin E Lipstick SPF 22 – $11.50
  44. Babo Botanicals Non-Nano Zinc Mineral SPF 50 – $11.95 for .6 oz
  45. Sun Bum Mineral Sunscreen Face Stick SPF 50 – $11.99 for .45 oz
  46. MyChelle Dermaceuticals Sun Shield Tinted Stick SPF 50 – $12 for .52 oz
  47. Coola Vanilla Peppermint SPF 30 Liplux – $12 for .15 oz
  48. Coola Original SPF 30 Liplux – $12 for .17 oz
  49. Alba Botanica Sport Sunscreen SPF 45 – $12.19 for 4 oz
  50. Badger Sunscreen Cream SPF 30 – $12.49 for 2.9 oz
  51. Thinksport Safe EveryDay Face SPF 30 – $12.99 for 2 oz
  52. Maui Babe Sun Protectant Lotion SPF 30 – $12.99 for 8 oz
  53. Sun Bum Face Lotion SPF 50 – $12.99 for 3 oz
  54. Babyganics Sunscreen Lotion Mineral-Based SPF 50 – $12.99 for 8 oz
  55. Thinksport Kids Safe Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 – $12.99 for 3 oz
  56. Thinksport Safe Sunscren SPF 50 – $12.99 for 3 oz
  57. Pacifica Sun + Skincare Mineral Face Shade Coconut Probiotic SPF 30 – $13 for 1.7 oz
  58. Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream SPF 30 – $13.39 for 2.9 oz
  59. Blue Lizard Face Sunscreen SPF 30 – $13.48 for 5 oz
  60. Badger Kids Sunscreen SPF 30 – $13.59 for 2.9 oz
  61. Goddess Garden Kid’s Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 – $13.99 for 3.4 oz
  62. Babo Botanicals Sheer Tinted Mineral SPF 30 for Sensitive Skin – $14.95 for 1.7 oz
  63. Babo Botanicals Sheer Non-Nano Zinc SPF 40 – $14.95 for 1.7 oz
  64. Blue Lizard Water Resistant Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 – $14.98 for 5 oz
  65. Blue Lizard Sweat Resistant Kids Sunscreen SPF 30 – $14.98 for 5 oz
  66. Blue Lizard Baby Sunscreen SPF 30 – $14.98 for 5 oz
  67. Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 – $14.99 for 3 oz
  68. Bare Republic Mineral Face Lotion SPF 30 – $14.99 for 1.7 oz
  69. Bare Republic Tinted Mineral Face Lotion SPF 30 – $14.99 for 1.7 oz
  70. Bare Republic Mineral Vanilla Coconut Spray SPF 50 – $14.99 for 6 oz
  71. Bare Republic Mineral Sport Lotion SPF 50 – $14.99 for 5 oz
  72. Bare Republic Mineral Citrus Spray SPF 30 – $14.99 for 6 oz
  73. Badger Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Cream SPF 35 – $14.99 for 2.9 oz
  74. Blue Lizard Sensitive Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 – $14.99 for 3 oz
  75. All Good Kid’s Sunscreen SPF 30 – $15.19 for 3 oz
  76. No-Ad Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 – $15.41 for 16 oz
  77. Sun Bum Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 – $15.99 for 6 oz
  78. Sun Bum Sunscreen Lotion SPF 70 – $15.99 for 8 oz
  79. Sun Bum Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 – $15.99 for 8 oz
  80. Sun Bum Sunscreen Lotion SPF 15 – $15.99 for 8 oz
  81. Sun Bum Sunscreen Spray SPF 15 – $15.99 for 8 oz
  82. Sun Bum Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 – $15.99 for 6 oz
  83. Sun Bum Sunscreen Spray SPF 70 – $15.99 for 6 oz
  84. Sun Bum Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 – $15.99 for 8 oz
  85. All Good Sport Sunscreen SPF 30 – $15.99 for 3 oz
  86. All Good Kids Sunscreen Butter Stick Water Resistant SPF 50 – $15.99 for 2 oz
  87. All Good Sunscreen Butter Stick Water Resistant SPF 50 – $15.99 for 2 oz
  88. Juice Beauty Sport SPF 30 – $16 for 3.75 oz
  89. Pacifica Sun + Skincare Mineral Bronzing SPF 30 – $16 for 6 oz
  90. Pacifica Sun + Skincare Mineral Coconut Probiotic SPF 30 – $16 for 6 oz
  91. Pacifica Mineral Bronzing Face Shade Coconut Glow SPF 30 – $16 for 1.7 oz
  92. No-Ad Face and Body Sport Stick SPF 50 2 pack – $16.49 for 4 oz
  93. Bare Republic Mineral Mousse SPF 30 – $16.99 for 7 oz
  94. All Good Sport Sunscren Spray Water Resistant SPF 30 – $16.99 for 6 oz
  95. All Good Kid’s Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 – $16.99 for 6 oz
  96. Paula’s Choice Extra Care Body Sunscreen SPF 50 – $17 for 5 oz
  97. Sun Bum Tanning Oil SPF 15 – $17.99 for 9 oz
  98. Sun Bum Mineral Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 – $17.99 for 6 oz
  99. MDSolarSciences Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 40 – $18 for .6 oz
  100. Babo Botanicals Non-Nano Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 – $18.95 for 6 oz
  101. Alba Botanica Kids Sunscreen SPF 50 Twin Pack – $18.99 for 12 oz
  102. Alba Botanica Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 Twin Pack – $18.99 for 12 oz
  103. Paula’s Choice RESIST Anti-Aging Lip Gloss SPF 40 – $19 for .27 fl. oz
  104. Supergoop! Antioxidant-Infused Sunscreen Mist with Vitamin C SPF 50 – $19 for 6 oz
  105. Derma-E Natural Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 – $19.75 for 2 oz
  106. Sun Bum Day Tripper Kit (SPF 30 lip balm, SPF 30 lotion, Aloe Vera Lotion) – $19.99 for 6.45 oz
  107. Goddess Garden Kid’s Natural Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 – $19.99 for 6 oz
  108. CoTZ Flawless Complexion Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 – $19.99 for 2.5 oz
  109. CoTZ Face Light Sunscreen Lotion SPF 40 – $19.99 for 1.5 oz
  110. TruKid Eczema Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 – $19.99 for 3.4 oz
  111. Mad Hippie Facial SPF 30 – $19.99 for 1.94 oz
  112. CoTZ Plus SPF 58 – $19.99 for 2.5 oz

From my affordable cruelty-free sunscreens list, I’ve tried the following brands – Burt’s Bees, Pacifica, Ulta, CoTZ, NO-AD, Alba Botanica, Ocean Potion, Paula’s Choice, Coola, MyChelle, MDSolarSciences, SuperGoop!, Mad Hippie and Derma-E. I really want to try Sun Bum because they have so many great options!

I hope you find my Best Affordable Cruelty-Free Sunscreens for Under $20 roundup helpful! With 110 options, you’re sure to find something that suits your needs. You may want to check out the best sunscreens for summer for face and body, which contains my favorite sunscreens.

What are your picks for the best affordable cruelty-free sunscreens for under $20? Have you tried any of the affordable cruelty-free sunscreens on my list? Let me know below!

Cordelia Frost is the creative force behind Phyrra, a treasure trove for cruelty-free indie and goth makeup enthusiasts. She's the author of the game-changing 'Hooded Eyes Makeup Manual' a must-read for hooded eyes makeup.

Cordelia's world is a kaleidoscope of alternative beauty, gothic fashion, and life-enhancing tips, making every visit to Phyrra a journey into a more colorful and inspired self.

19 Comments

  1. You’ve gone above and beyond again! I do appreciate your posts that feature affordable products. I’ve tried the COTZ and love it.

  4. Costco.com currently sells the MD Solar Sciences SPF 48 Mineral Creme for 18.99 (it sells for $30 elsewhere). Costco’s online pricing ought to get this wonderful product on the “under $20” list. 🙂

    Costco.com also sells a 2-pack of All Good sport spray for 19.99 (vs. 16.99 for just one, elsewhere). Their online beauty and personal care offering lately has been killin’ it. (They clearanced out 3-packs of MD Solar Sciences SPF 30 Mineral Creme a few months ago for 9.97 per 3-tube bundle.)

  6. You always round up the best product lists! I didn’t think that Babyganics would be suitable for adults, I don’t know why I thought that. I have some in a box that I was going to send to my mother to give to anyone she knew with a baby but I think I’m going to pull it out and give it a try for myself.

  9. This is a great reference and I’m glad to see some children’s brands on here too. I’ve been using more expensive ones because they are fragrance free and that matters a lot to me. Even my granddaughter smells anything I put on her.

  10. I really need to get better about wearing SPF, I almost always forget. Great recommendations, I’ll definitely try some of these out.

  13. Thank you for the thorough roundup! I honestly have no idea if my facial sunscreen is CF but I need to purchase a replacement soon. I will definitely make sure I pick up a CF option next time.

  16. This is great thank you, I’m almost done with my non-cruelty free and looking for next year supply. I have one from Liveclean but it finds it grainy and doesn’t like it on my skin it’s too much if that makes sense. I have sun-bum face SPF and I love that so I think I may look into them personally !! Thanks for making a list of things I think some people forget.

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