BeautySkin

Editors’ Picks: Amazing natural sunscreens we’re wearing

Found! Great sunscreens that don't make you shiny, ghosty, or breakout, from our medicine cabinets and beach bags.

Published Jun 26, 2014

Written by 

Sarah Sarway

Sunscreen is one of those skin-care products that women are either super on top of such that they smuggle their favorites back from the UK or Japan—or they’re always looking for one they simply don’t hate and will wear.

We feel you. Or we used to. There are now so many great natural sunscreens that protect your precious skin, feel as light as your moisturizer, and won’t make you look shiny, ghosty, or break out. And we’ve found them.

Here are the sunscreens we’re slathering on at Well+Good right now… —Melisse Gelula

(Photo: www.weheartit.com)

Mychelle Replenishing Solar Defense SPF 30, ($30), Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Natural Sunscreen SPF 30,($15)

Mychelle’s Replenishing Solar Defense is one of the lighest-feeling mineral-based sunscreens I’ve found, so I love it on my face, where thick paste is really not what I’m looking for, and it comes with other natural ingredients that moisturize and alleviate sun damage at the same time.

When I’m slathering it all over my body at the beach every hour, though, I like to go a little more budget, and Yes to Cucumbers’ new sunscreen  is one of the least chalky I’ve found in the affordable, non-toxic category. Plus, it really smells like fresh, cooling cucumbers. —Lisa Elaine Held

(Photo: Lisa Elaine Held for Well+Good)


-1MVO Everyday Coverage ($50)

I’ve been using this lightweight sunscreen for years because its the perfect daily sunscreen and tinted moisturizer. It gets top marks from the Environmental Working Group and its non-nano zinc oxide applies and absorbs easily. It also has red raspberry seed oil that helps to prevent sun damage. The tint’s perfect for my skin, so it’s a good substitute for a foundation. I use something more heavy duty for the beach, but on a daily basis this is my go-to! PS: It has new packaging but I’m using this one up first. —Alexia Brue

(Photo: Well+Good)

Juice Beauty Sport SPF 30 Sport Moisturizer ($16)

I use this sunscreen because it’s one that Well+Good’s recommended in the past. I found it at my local natural foods store in their natural/wellness area, which is a plus that I can get it easily when I need to replenish. It’s scent is really low-key, which I really like, and once I put it on, after it settles in, I feel nothing. It goes on really smooth and feels really light for something that’s made for the beach. —Alison Gilbert

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(Photo: Well+Good)

SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 ($34)

I love SkinCeuticals’ Physical Fusion UV Defense for my face and neck. It’s super lightweight and feels like I’m putting on nothing at all while still wearing sun protection. I’m also a geek about the science behind this brand, and how it protects against both UVA and UVB rays—that’s really important to me. I’ll wear it on a run and it stays put. It also has a slight tint that evens out skin tone, so I sort of think of it as two-in-one sunscreen and light foundation on no-make-up days. —Kimie Bunyasaranand 

(Photo: Kimie Bunyasaranand for Well+Good)

Erbaviva Sunscreen SPF 30 ($22)

I’ve had trouble finding a non-greasy sunscreen to use on both my body and face, but this one fits the bill. It blends in super easily and smells like lavender without being overpowering. I also love the convenient travel size, so I can tote it around in my purse for those extra long and sunny days. —Kate Citron

(Photo: Kate Citron for Well+Good)

John Masters Organics SPF 30 Natural Mineral Sunscreen John Masters Natural Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30, ($32)

I kind of consider sunscreen as indispensable as toothpaste, so I wear it pretty much every day. This one feels a lot like a moisturizer (and has jojoba and green tea extracts in it like a lotion), which is probably why I find myself reaching for it year-round. It layers over my daily face oil or serum perfectly, it barely has a scent, and the titanium dioxide and zinc (which are key for UVA and UVB protection) don’t make my skin look ghosty, too matte, or too shiny. Everyone I’ve recommended it to loves it, as well. This is a great sunscreen for people who don’t like sunscreen. —Melisse Gelula 

(Photo: Melisse Gelula for Well+Good)

Suntegrity Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen & Primer, Broad Spectrum Spf 30 ($45)

This smells divine, is lightweight, and applies super nicely. I love using it on its own or under a little makeup when that late-day summer sun is still shining.

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I started using it after Anne Nelson Sandford of Lurk recommended it. I inherited super fair skin—Eastern European from my mom and Irish from my dad—and when I heard about Suntegrity’s founder, Tricia’s, personal story and family history of melanoma, it hit home even more. —Molly Gallagher

(Photo: Suntegrity)

Jose Maran SPFJosie Maran Daily Moisturizer SPF 47 ($14)

I’m ashamed to say that if my sunscreen isn’t already mixed with something else, I’ll forget to put it on, so the fact that there’s SPF 47 in this moisturizer is amazing. Argan is still such a hot ingredient right now, and I was scared to use it at first because I have oily skin—but this is lightweight and actually balances my complexion, without making my skin shiny. —Jamie McKillop

(Photo: Josie Maran)

Elta MD UV Physical Broad-Spectrum SPF 41 ($29) 

I’m loving this one because it uses minerals like zinc instead of chemicals to block UV rays, but doesn’t have the chalkiness that many of mineral sunscreens have. Also, it’s the rare tinted sunscreen in a shade that’s light enough for my skin. And both my facialist (Jillian Wright) and my dermatologist (Tribeca Skin Center) like it enough to sell it, which makes me feel good about using it and makes it easy for me to buy it. —Ann Abel

More Reading

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(Photo: WeHeartIt.com)

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Food

The Making of an Internet-Famous Fruit: How Sumo Citrus Has Captured Hearts, Tastebuds, and a Devoted Following

photo of growers transporting many sumo citrus for review
Photo: Sumo Citrus® & W+G Creative
Published Feb 20, 2025

In Partnership With 

Sumo Citrus

Written by 

Maeve McCormick

Confession time: I love citrus—zesty limes squeezed on my tacos, fresh-squeezed orange juice on slow Sunday mornings, and the invigorating scent of grapefruit candles when I need to unwind. But when it comes to eating whole citrus fruits? Historically, not my thing. The mess of peeling, the sticky fingers, the rogue juice dribbling down my wrists—for me, most citrus has never been worth the (literal) squeeze.

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Then, one day, my roommate came home from the store with an oversized citrus I didn’t recognize. She told me I had to try a piece, while effortlessly peeling it in one smooth motion—no mess, no struggle. I skeptically accepted a slice, wondering what the big deal was. 

To my surprise, the experience was completely sticky-fingers-free. And the taste? Unlike any citrus I’d had before—enormously sweet, impossibly juicy, and balanced with just a hint of tang. That was my first bite of Sumo Citrus®—and now, I understand why The Office actress Jenna Fischer planted a Sumo Citrus tree in her yard, John Mayer peeled it on TikTok, and it has its very own merch (kind of eyeing that beanie, TBH).

So, what’s earned Sumo Citrus this devoted following? Sumo is taking the sweetness on the road for you to experience it yourself with the Tastemonial Tour—and it’s making a special stop at House of Good during our Ultimate Citrus Experience pop-up from February 21 to 23. Stop by for the hype if you're in Los Angeles, and read on to find out how this one-of-a-kind fruit became a seasonal fruit fixation.

sumo citrus with purple sticker

Find Sumo Citrus Near You

Sumo Citrus wasn’t just plucked from a tree one day and marketed as the next big thing—it’s the result of decades of careful cultivation, according to Sunnia Gull, AC Food’s vice president of marketing. First developed in Japan in the 1970s, it was naturally bred to combine the best traits of different citrus varieties—including the sweetness of mandarins, the juiciness of navel oranges, and the easy-to-peel skin of a satsuma.

Despite its popularity, growing Sumo Citrus is no easy feat. It takes years of expertise to perfect, and California’s Central Valley is the only place in the United States where it’s grown. Even then, farmers face unpredictable weather challenges, which means every piece of fruit that makes it to the store is a result of careful tending and patience.

The first thing you notice about Sumo Citrus is its size—it’s the largest variety of mandarins. The second? Its signature Top Knot®, a bump on top of the fruit that serves as an easier way to peel it. The skin practically lifts off, revealing plump, seedless segments that don’t leave your hands coated in juice and stubborn pith. 

Every Sumo Citrus is guaranteed to be incredibly sweet, thanks to each being measured on the “brix meter,” to ensure it meets sky-high sweetness standards before hitting shelves, Gull says. For those who prefer their fruit without surprise sour bites, it’s a game-changer.

Beyond its chef’s-kiss flavor and finally-I-don’t-need-a-wet-wipe convenience, Sumo Citrus packs a *serious* nutritional punch. Each fruit contains 163 percent of your daily vitamin C, along with fiber, potassium, and a flavonoid called hesperidin, which has antioxidant benefits. Whether you’re looking for immunity support, a gut-friendly snack, or a natural energy source, it fits the bill. Bonus: It’s the kind of snack I can toss in my bag and eat in two minutes flat—way better than the sad granola bar that’s been in my purse for the past three months.

And while Sumo Citrus is made to eat straight out of the peel, fans have gotten creative with how they use it. The fruit’s sweetness and juiciness make it an ideal addition to everything from bright citrus salads to zesty cocktails and refreshing desserts. Its bold flavor also complements savory dishes—think citrus-glazed salmon or a tangy dressing for roasted vegetables.

All of that creativity may be a result of the fact that Sumo Citrus is here for a good time, but not a long time. Unlike standard grocery store oranges that are available year-round, Sumo Citrus has a limited growing season, running only from January to April. This short window has created an almost cult-like following, with fans stocking up as soon as they see the signature purple sticker in stores. 

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I get it—now that I’ve experienced Sumo, I fully understand the impulse to grab them while they last. The anticipation is almost part of the appeal: Like cherry blossom season or holiday peppermint mochas, Sumo’s fleeting availability makes it even more special. And when the season ends? People (me) are already counting down the days until its return. Conclusion: Do yourself a favor and grab a few before they disappear for the year. Because once you’ve had a taste of this juicy citrus, there’s no going back.

Psst: Want a taste ASAP? The Sumo Tastemonial Tour is rolling into Belmont Park in San Diego from February 28 to March 1, Boreal Ski Resort in Tahoe from March 7 to 8, Craig Ranch Regional Park in Las Vegas from March 10 to 11, and La Encantada in Tuscon from March 14 to 15—or stop by House of Good in Venice Beach for the Ultimate Citrus Experience from February 21 to 23.

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