Wearing sunscreen at the beach is a given, especially for little ones running in and out of the water — and anyone who forgets that usually regrets it with a vengeance the next day. One aspect of sunscreen I admittedly didn’t think about until just a few years ago is how detrimental its impact is on marine life and reefs. Oxybenzone is a chemical found in most mainstream sunscreens — it works to prevent sun damage, but is also carcinogenic and harmful to coral. The chemical makes coral more susceptible to bleaching and damages its DNA, interfering with reproduction and killing dependent marine life in the process.
Mineral Sport Sunscreen. Photo: All Good
Personally, I’ve moved on to mineral-based sunscreens since they are reef safe and gentler on skin — especially my sensitive type. Finding a mineral-based, like zinc, sunscreen is actually pretty easy, it’s just a matter of knowing what to look for. Yes, the word zinc usually elicits thoughts of comically thick, white glue on a nerd’s nose in a John Hughes movie, but it has come a long way since the 1980s.
All Good, for example, is a zinc-formula sunscreen that rolls on light and isn’t greasy. I’ve recently been using the sport sunscreen spray and mineral sport sunscreen lotion (both SPF 30) and really like how it feels and works. It’s technically unscented, but almost smells like oatmeal, and the ingredients are organic, including aloe leaf juice, shea butter and green tea extract, among others.
Mineral Spray Sunscreen. Photo: All Good
is cruelty-free (another must for me), a Certified-B corporation, GMO free, vegan and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes — perfect for the kids spending an extended period of time kicking around in the ocean, forgetting all about the sunblock.
Switching to a mineral-based formula with zinc can feel like a stretch at first, so I recommend trying the spray. It goes on light and sits easy on the skin. It takes a few seconds to absorb, but I actually think my sensitive skin is better after use. There’s also tinted sunscreen users can wear all day, to work, functions or the beach, and it acts as a daily moisturizer.
All Good and other mineral-based brands can be found at CVS, Amazon or online.
Mineral Sport Sunscreen. Photo: All Good
Read This Next
How to Tune Kids in to Nature When Traveling
Travel Tips
Jun 18, 2026#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedDestinations / North America
Jul 9, 20265 Places to Have a European-Style Vacation Without Leaving the Country
Flying isn’t cheap, especially for a whole family. Luckily, if you want a European vacation but it just isn’t in the budget, you can get creative with your destination and have a European-style vacation without ever leaving the country.
Sponsored Content
Best of Both Worlds
Enjoy the best of both worlds when you fly with TAP Air Portugal thanks to the Portugal Stopover program. With the program, TAP passengers, whether traveling for business, leisure or both, can stop in Portugal for up to 10 days at no additional airfare on the way to their final destination. What does this mean for travelers wishing to explore by both land and sea? It means after flying to Portugal with TAP and experiencing the country in an entirely new way, travelers can then embark on scenic river and ocean cruises from Portugal’s port cities, or fly with TAP to another European destination.
Destinations / Latin America
Jul 9, 20268 Savannah, Georgia, Destinations for Family Travel
It’s time to start dreaming of your next family trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through Savannah, Georgia, with us.
Hotels
Jul 9, 2026Refreshed Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa Elevates Family Getaways
Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, a 560-room resort in the Greater Palm Springs area, recently completed a comprehensive, multimillion-dollar renovation. With the updates come new resort experiences, a Kids Eat Free package, new pickleball courts, upgraded poolside cabanas, the debut of Seven Olive Modern Gastropub and Topgolf Swing Suites, and more.
Destinations / Europe
Jul 8, 2026A Trip to London: Exploring the South Bank
Courtesy of a night spent at London’s Sea Containers hotel, I had the opportunity to explore the South Bank neighborhood. Let’s dive into some family-friendly highlights:
Destinations / North America
Jul 8, 2026Summer Fun Awaits in New Hampshire’s Lakes
When you’re traveling in New Hampshire, you’re never far from water. Although its Atlantic coastline is short, lakes — including New England’s largest — are scattered throughout the state, so family travelers will have plenty of opportunities for swimming and water sports.
ShareThis