We’re gearing up to Summer time and that means shifting from snow suits to sunscreen. There are so many benefits to the suns rays. Especially the boost of Vitamin D we all receive through the Winter months. We often go outside and appreciate the health benefits the Sun can provide for us. That being said, there are many days where we need to consider Sunscreen. This can mean days where we will be outside at peak UV hours with less shade options. On days like this I like to ensure we have a non-toxic sunscreen handy so no one ends up burnt. Unfortunately, most sunscreens on the market are filled with harsh chemicals and additives. I don’t want to be applying this to my Family’s skin. Instead I opt for a non-toxic tallow sunscreen called Sky & Sol. Sky & Sol sunscreen is made with healthy and clean ingredients. In fact, their ingredients are so clean you could eat it (but don’t do that). Since summer is on it’s way, I figured what better time to put together a review of my favorite non toxic sunscreen brand. So here is my Sky & Sol Tallow Sunscreen Review. I’ve included an exclusive Sky & Sol Discount Code at the bottom of the article so you can save on quality non toxic sun care.
* This post may include affiliate links. This means that products purchased from certain links will generate a small commission (At no extra cost to you). As always, I will only recommend brands that have passed my seal of approval and that I truly love. Thank you for supporting this little holistic space on the internet. *
* Information in this post is not professional medical advice and should not be relied on or used in place of consultation with healthcare professionals. Should you have any medical questions, please consult your primary healthcare provider. **
Non-toxic vs Toxic Sunscreen
Choosing the right sunscreen can be a bit overwhelming. There are so many options nowadays and it can be super easy to just grab a product off the store shelf. However, the sunscreens on those shelves are often filled with chemical sun blockers and toxic ingredients. These ingredients are not ideal to be applying to the entire body each day, This is especially the case for children who are not able to detox as quickly or efficiently as adults. But what are the big differences between conventional and non toxic sunscreen? I’ve broken it down so you can better understand the differences and make the best choice for your own Family.
It has been shown that many of the ingredients found in sunscreens have been found to be cancer causing themselves. Besides avoiding a painful sunburn, most people opt for sunscreen to avoid overexposure or skin cancer. So, why would we choose a product that causes the exact thing we are trying to avoid? Especially when there are better and safer options out there.
Ingredients to Avoid in Sunscreen
There are so many non-toxic sunscreen options available these days. None of us should be reaching for the standard drug store SPF for our Family anymore. But how do we know what the best option is? What ingredients do we need to avoid to ensure we are providing the safest sun care for our family? Here are some of the most common toxic culprits found in conventional sunscreens today. This should help you make informed choices when you turn around that bottle to read the ingredients and understand what side effects these ingredients may come with.
- Oxybenzone is a chemical UV filtering ingredients used often in conventional sunscreen. However, it is phototoxic, which means it becomes toxic when exposed to light. It has been linked to high levels of skin reactions and major hormone disruption.
- Octinoxate is used to filter UVB rays from the sun. It disrupts hormones, thyroid function, and the reproductive system. It has even been found to cause miscarriage in some cases.
- Retinyl Palmitate is an additive often added to conventional sunscreens. When it comes into contact with sunlight on your skin, it breaks down producing free radicals and toxic by products.
- Homosalate is used to prevent UV exposure. It is disruptive to your endocrine system. It has an affinity to estrogen systems and has been known to increase breast cancer growth by 3.5x. It accumulates in the body faster than you are able to detox it which puts a burden on your liver.
- Octocrylene is an ingredient often found in Sunscreens. Octocrylene has high levels of benzophenone. Benzophenone is a known mutagen, carcinogen, and hormone disruptor. It has been banned in the food industry due to it’s toxicity, although it is still allowed in sunscreen formulation.
- Parabens are often added to beauty products as a preservative. Unfortunately, parabens mimic estrogen activity and cause abnormal breast cell growth. They have also been linked to thyroid issues and allergies.
Mineral vs Chemical Sunscreen
There are two types of sun blocking agents used in sunscreen lotions: Mineral and Chemical.
- Mineral Sunscreens use physical blocking agents in the form of natural ingredients like Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide. These ingredients act as a physical blocker and will repel the suns rays from your skin.
- Chemical Sunscreens contain toxic SPF agents like . These ingredients allow the skin to absorb the UV rays but a chemical reaction converts them into heat. Since they do NOT physically block the sun, they actually take about 20 minutes to be effective after applying to the skin.
Mineral sunscreens have slowly become the preferred choice after studies have shown the blocking agents used in chemical sunscreens can cause harm to your health. All chemical sunscreen agents are toxic, synthetic and create a chemical reaction within the skin. But there are a couple of chemical sunscreen agents that A 2019 study, provided evidence that the active ingredient chemicals used in these sunscreens are absorbed into the bloodstream and cause side effects.
Pros + Cons of Mineral and Chemical Sunscreen
Clearly I advocate for the use of Mineral sunscreens solely due to the health factor. There are pros and cons to the use of both options. I personally feel as though the potential negative health effects caused by chemical sunscreens outweigh any of these factors. There aren’t actually many pros when it comes to chemical sunscreen beyond the ease of application and lack of white cast. Mineral sunscreen companies have come a long way in developing formulas that offer a smoother application process and will absorb better. There are many options that do not leave behind a white cast to the skin.
Sky & Sol Tallow Sunscreen Review
Of all the non toxic sunscreen options floating around these days, I have found one that surpasses the rest. Sky & Sol sunscreen is made in a base of tallow which is incredibly healing to the skin. Tallow contains fat soluble vitamins which mimic the nutrients required by our skin. It will provide nourishment and nutrients beyond what most sunscreens typically would. It is a great formula developed after the owner himself began understanding the benefits of ancestral diets and lifestyle. We have strayed so far from our ancestors in terms of the animal foods they ate. These foods helped provide all of the vitamins they needed to be healthy and disease free. We are now chronically deficient in these fat soluble vitamins as a society. It has led to many health issues including chronic disease, inability to fend off common everyday illness, and more. We see it in our development including the integrity of our teeth and bones. It is so important to get back to ancestral ways of eating as we have traded that in for packaged and heavily sprays alternatives. * Bonus: The use of Tallow helps with the sunscreens application, making it much more spreadable. It also reduces white cast and helps the sunscreen absorb better into the skin. *
We have also strayed away from this type of nourishment topically. Tallow is a great moisturizer for the skin as it mimics our skins need for fat soluble vitamins. It is very compatible and isn’t just another cheaply processed oil or plant butter that are typically used in natural sunscreens. It does not contain any seed oils which is a bonus for those trying to avoid these types of oils. It just contains very simple yet powerful natural ingredients.
Sky & Sol Tallow Sunscreen Ingredients
Sky & Sol Sunscreens are formulated with only 10 Powerful ingredients that will nourish and protect your skin all in one. Their ingredients offer the following benefits:
- High quality animal based ingredients like Tallow
- A simple yet powerful ingredient list
- High quality sourcing
- Biocompatible Formulas
Here is a look at the ingredient deck:
Active Ingredients: Non-Nano 25% Zinc Oxide
Inactive Ingredients: Water, Grass-Fed/Grass-Finished Tallow, Jojoba Oil, Jojoba Ester (wax), Lecithin, Beeswax, Silica, Vitamin E (From Olives), Radish Root Ferment Filtrate.
Third Party Testing and Analysis
Sky & Sol is a very transparent company when it comes to their products quality and effectiveness. They list all ingredients online and even have their Certificates of Analysis (COA) readily available on their website. COA’s offer insight into each ingredients quality to ensure you are using a healthy product. It also test for contamination from various sources to ensure that all ingredients are safe to use. Sky & Sol also tests their formulation for stability, water resistance and is compliant within FDA regulations. Here is a comprehensive list of all of the safety standards and testing Sky & Sol has received:
- Certified SPF tested
- Stability Tested
- Water Resistance Tested
- FDA Regulation Compliant
- 3rd Party Tested for Purity, Quality and Efficacy
Sky & Sol Sunscreen Discount Code
Sky & Sol has kindly offered an exclusive Sky & Sol discount code for all THV readers. Click through this link or the products below and a 10% discount will apply to cart.
Shop Sky & Sol Tallow Sunscreen

Sky & Sol SPF 50 Face & Body Sunscreen

Sky & Sol SPF 30 Face & Body Sunscreen

Sky & Sol SPF 50 Body Sunscreen

Sky & Sol SPF 50 Face Sunscreen

Sky & Sol SPF 25 Lip Balm

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