It’s that time of year: sunscreen season — and for many of us, gluten-free sunscreen season.
Sun protection is essential to reduce the risk of skin cancer, but strict avoidance of sunlight can contribute to vitamin D deficiency. Our bodies produce vitamin D in response to natural sunlight, and immune cells also generate vitamin D to support the body’s defenses. Finding a balance between safe sun exposure and maintaining healthy vitamin D levels is important for overall wellbeing.
I often say I “need” time in the sun to feel healthy — and there’s truth to that. Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with higher mortality from heart disease and colon cancer, and links have been found to increased risk for breast cancer, metabolic disease, hypertension, obesity and certain infections. Since my celiac disease diagnosis nearly twenty years ago, I’ve struggled with low vitamin D. Recent tests placed me among the roughly 8% of people with a serious deficiency, while another 25% are at risk.
How can we protect our skin while still getting the sunlight needed for vitamin D? One practical approach is brief, unprotected sun exposure in the early morning followed by applying a reliable sunscreen at mid-day. If you have a diagnosed vitamin D deficiency, consult your doctor — supplements or prescription treatment may be necessary.
There’s plenty of guidance available about which sunscreens are safer and which contain questionable chemicals. For people who live gluten-free for medical reasons, another concern arises: should sunscreen be gluten free?
Most experts say that people with celiac disease are unlikely to react to topical gluten unless it reaches the gastrointestinal tract. However, emerging information suggests that if the skin barrier is broken, topical gluten could be absorbed and potentially trigger an immune response similar to ingesting gluten. People with wheat allergies or non-celiac gluten sensitivity may also experience reactions to gluten in skincare products that are unrelated to celiac disease. Given these considerations, choosing gluten-free sunscreen can be a sensible precaution for those with known sensitivities.
When you combine the desire for gluten-free options with the goal of avoiding potentially harmful chemicals, the number of acceptable sunscreens narrows considerably. That’s why I want to highlight Goddess Garden Organics.
Goddess Garden Organics makes mineral-based sunscreens and lip balms formulated for sensitive skin. Their products are certified organic and free from oxybenzone, parabens and synthetic fragrances. Rather than masking ingredients under the ambiguous label “fragrance,” scented products use essential oils such as lavender.
The line avoids hormone-disrupting ingredients and common irritants, is vegan and cruelty-free, and many products are labeled reef-safe. Mineral sunscreens provide immediate protection on contact, unlike chemical sunscreens that require time to activate on the skin.
I appreciate that these mineral formulas don’t leave the heavy white cast often associated with traditional zinc oxide sunscreens. Goddess Garden uses a shea butter lotion base that creates a sheer, non-greasy finish that’s easier to apply. Their After-Sun Gel absorbs quickly and isn’t sticky the way some after-sun products can be.
On the gluten-free question, Goddess Garden states that their sunscreens do not contain gluten or wheat-derived products. The xanthan gum used in some formulations is fermented from wheat or soy, but the supplier tests for those allergens and reports none remain after processing. They are not a dedicated gluten-free facility, so the company recommends that anyone with a sensitivity or allergy test the product on the inside of the elbow 24 hours before broader use.
Overall, I highly recommend this brand. I’ve been impressed with the products I’ve tried, and my teenage daughter regularly uses the After-Sun Gel and products from the Daily Facial Routine. My family tends to prefer different application styles — I lean toward lotion, while my kids like spray sunscreens — and Goddess Garden offers options that appeal to both preferences.
After trying many formulas, I feel confident recommending this line to readers seeking natural, mineral-based, thoughtfully formulated sunscreens. If you have other natural sunscreen brands you trust, or if you’ve tried Goddess Garden Organics, please share your experience in the comments.
Happy summer!
~jules
*Goddess Garden Organics was founded by a mother seeking safer skincare for her daughter. I first discovered the brand at a natural products expo and have continued to use several of their products since. I’m an ambassador for the brand because I believe in the quality of their sunscreens and their mission. As always, opinions expressed here are my own. Working with select brands I trust helps me continue to share free recipes and product recommendations I feel good about for my family.