By Megan Prowd

We all know daily sunscreen is a beauty essential, especially in Australia, but when it comes to matching a sunscreen with our ethos, up until quite recently it’s been hard to find a natural and planet friendly sunscreen that sits well under makeup.

Zinc oxide and Titanium Dioxide are the minerals largely used in natural sunscreens to protect skin from the sun. They work as physical blockers, reflecting UV rays but they’re also responsible for aforementioned white stuff that’s leftover no matter how hard you rub it in.

The good news is there are new and improved products available all the time and as the UV factor begins to climb, we’ve rounded up our favourites this season.

GO-TO NIFTY FIFTY

After months of hype, Go-To has just released their long-awaited first SPF product. Nifty Fifty promises to be a daily sunscreen that you’ll actually want to wear, and we’re happy to report that it really delivers on this claim. Free from fragrance, white-cast, irritants and any other side effects that can make SPF wearing unpleasant, Nifty Fifty is lightweight, hydrating, and feels as good as your favourite daily moisturiser. With a base of Aloe Vera Juice for hydration, and CoQ10 for antioxidant and soothing benefits, this is a skin-pleasing addition to your daily routine.

GROWN ALCHEMIST NATURAL HYDRATING MINERAL SUNSCREEN

Although thicker than some of the others on this list, the Grown Alchemist Natural Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen is an invisible, vegan formula with a chemical-free sheer Zinc Oxide base. We love that this beauty is reef-friendly and 100 per cent natural. Hero ingredients include parlsey seed extract, rosehip, vitamin C and Omega-rich oils, for hydration and anti-ageing.

ULTRA VIOLETTE CLEAN SCREEN

A brand that set out to redesign sunscreen as we know it, and create a world where sunscreen and skincare are one and the same, Ultra Violette has a range of skin-benefiting SPF Skinscreen products – all with nifty names – including their best-selling Queen Screen, the tinted Dream Screen and the water-resistant Extreme Screen. But it’s the SPF 30 Clean Screen that we really fell for, with a super-lightweight and hydrating gel formula that doesn’t upset sensitive or acne prone skins. Beware though, as a factor 30, you’ll need to reapply this through the day – which Ultra Violette insist we should be doing anyway, up to once every two hours, actually. But beyond this, it is the perfect under-makeup layer to give your skin a boost.

MEDIK8 PHYSICAL SUNSCREEN

Reef-friendly and packed with antioxidants, this Medik8 option is lightweight, fragrance-free and calming for sensitive skins. We love the dewy finish that acts as a perfect base under makeup, but it’s the ethical sourcing of their packaging and products that we’re really on board with. Sustainability is a big deal for this brand, and recycled and recyclable, plastic-free packaging and production via renewable energy sources are at the heart of their products.

EMMA LEWISHAM SKIN SHIELD SPF 30+

Emma Lewisham is somewhat of a sustainable beauty benchmark, with its refillable and recyclable containers and science led natural formulations it has a cult following for a reason. We are loving this just-launched sunscreen / day cream which has been five years in the making. It’s made using nine high-performing actives to protect the skin and promote an even skin tone while delivering all-day hydration. We love how quickly the white residue of the zinc oxide disappears on application and they way it delivers on its promise to hydrate and add a pep of radiance.