You would almost forget it while enjoying a plate of kaiserschmarren or apfelstrudel on the terrace in the sun, but the mountain sun is more treacherous than you think. In the mountains, clear skies and bright white snow amplify UV radiation considerably. The perfect reason to look for the finest eco-friendly sunscreen for winter sports: products that protect your skin and are easy to take with you on the slopes. So you and your skin can enjoy winter sports and après-ski on the terrace safely.
Sustainable SPF in the snow
Grease, grease, grease... On winter sports it is at least as important as on a sun holiday. In the mountains, the air is cleaner and clearer, so UV radiation comes in extra strong. A good sunscreen is therefore indispensable, not only to keep your skin healthy, but also to reduce the risk of skin cancer. Preferably choose a cream with at least SPF 30 and protection against both UVA and UVB radiation. Little refresher: UVA rays penetrate deep into your skin and cause premature ageing, while UVB rays affect the top layer of the skin and cause sunburn.
It's also great to make a more conscious choice with your SPF on winter sports. While many sunscreen choices protect your skin, they also contain ingredients we would rather not see in the environment. Think of certain chemical filters or microplastics that don't really belong there. Fortunately, more and more brands are taking a different approach. They opt for mineral filters or milder chemical variants that are considered safer. Beware though: terms like ‘natural’ or ‘microplastic-free’ sound nice, but do not say everything. If you really want to get it right, you need to dive into the ingredients yourself. Don't feel like it? We understand. That is why we already made a list of fine eco-friendly sunscreen in handy pocket sizes. Ideal for winter sports!
Drs Leenarts
Drs Leenarts is the brand of a Dutch dermatologist known for her care products without unnecessary ingredients. Especially for winter sports, she developed a perfume-free sunscreen that - they promise - does not leave a white haze behind and is resistant to icy temperatures. See, that's useful. The winter sports tube comes in SPF 30 and 50, with protection against both UVA and UVB radiation. Their handy ski kits consist of a face cream and lip balm (SPF 25) in one: the tube contains the sunscreen and the cap contains the lip balm. Super-compact and therefore just as easy to put in your ski jacket pocket. All products are vegan, microplastic-free and animal-tested. Everything from Drs Leenarts is made in the Netherlands and the brand is also B Corp-certified, meaning they officially meet strict environmental, human and transparency requirements. And to make it even easier for you: you can just find it at your drugstore.
Dr Jetske Ultee
Dr Jetske Ultee is a research physician in cosmetic dermatology and is known for her critical view of the skincare industry. She developed her own product line because she lacked what she herself wanted to recommend: mild, effective products without junk, also for sensitive skin. The Suncover line fits that perfectly. It comes in SPF 15, 30 and 50 and - important for on the slopes - also in a handy 50 ml format with pump. Handy! The sunscreen is sold on a non-profit basis, which allows them to keep the price lower. And extra cool: they use the proceeds to educate children. This sunscreen scored high with the Consumers‘ Association for years: from 2020 to 2023 as best tested. And in 2023, it also received the ’green choice' designation. Nice perks, we think. You score the Suncover sunscreen from Dr Jetske Ultee via their own webshop.
Chicory
Witlof was founded by two beauty experts who wanted to shake up the skincare industry with products that are really good for your skin. Their eco-friendly sunscreen with SPF 30 protects against UVA and UVB rays and comes in a handy 50 ml tube. In short, ideal for in your coat pocket or on the terrace during winter sports. The formula is 100% natural, vegan , free of microplastics and partly even organic. Chicory lives up to its name: food for your skin, just like vegetables. And yes, also a nod to with love. With this SPF, you glide down the slopes without a white bloom. Extra fun: hand in your empty packaging after the winter fun and get a discount on your next purchase. You will find it at Holland & Barrett, Etos or via their webshop.
Food for Skin
Food for Skin makes sunscreen with SPF 30 and protection against both UVA and UVB. Founded by two sisters, this beauty brand aims to shake up the industry with skincare products made from edible ingredients - and preferably from waste streams. Their sunscreen is also packed with natural ingredients, including upcycled gems like bilberry, raspberry and bisabolol. The 50ml tube fits perfectly into your ski jacket pocket, so you easily top up between runs. The formula is free of microplastics, perfumes and parabens. Almost everything is produced in the Netherlands, even the tube comes from a zero-waste factory in Wormerveer that runs on green electricity. Food for Skin is B Corp-certified, annually donates 1% of its sales to Plastic Soup Foundation and clearly explains all its ingredients on the site. So no complicated labels. We like. You shop this sunscreen in their own webshop.
MÁDARA
Hailing from Latvia, MÁDARA once began as a pioneer in natural skincare with ingredients rooted in the rugged northern European climate. Think birch water, raspberry seed oil and other botanical heroes. The brand has since grown into an established name in (organic) natural cosmetics, with its own factory in Riga where everything runs on green electricity. They make eco-friendly sunscreen with SPF 30 and 50, also in a super handy 25 ml tube, perfect for during winter sports. They use mineral UV filters that protect against both UVA and UVB rays. For those who like a little extra glow: there is also a variant with a subtle tint. MÁDARA is B Corp-certified.
Naïf
Naïf originally started as a Dutch skincare brand for toddlers, with products formulated safely, transparently and without unnecessary additives. The same philosophy can be seen in their eco-friendly sunscreen. Naïf has sunscreen in SPF 30 and 50, and fortunately also in a handy 50 ml tube, perfect for winter sports. The formula is microplastic-free, consists of at least 92% of ingredients of natural origin and there is also a perfume-free variant for those with sensitive skin. Naïf is also B Corp-certified. You can find this sunscreen at Holland & Barrett, Douglas, Etos and, of course, via their own webshop.
Which eco-friendly sunburn goes up the mountain with you?
Whichever eco-friendly SPF you choose, all these winter sports-proof options will do the trick. They are small enough to fit in your jacket pocket, free of microplastics and other unnecessary junk and protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. With this SPF, you're making a better choice for yourself and the planet. So take them up the mountain, apply liberally and enjoy!
You might also find this interesting
- Also see: artificial snow on the slopes, what is the impact on the environment.
- Also see: sustainable winter sports: can winter sports be more sustainable.
Sources: kwf.nl. Photo credits: pump: Carola G, Pexels, ski lift: Astreyas, Pexels, snowboarder: Shashank Brahmavar, Pexels and the brands mentioned.
