Avasol Sunscreen Review: Plastic-free, Organic and NOT just for Surfers?

This review of Avasol sunscreen is Part 2 in our series of short, easy-to-read reviews of sustainable and plastic-free sunscreen brands. More will be added to the series soon – be sure to get on my email list to keep up with the latest! (And right away I’ll send you my cheat sheet of favorite plastic-free toiletries for travel!)

Avasol is one of the most mission-driven sunscreen brands I’ve tested. (The mission, as I see it, being sustainability and reducing plastic packaging, but without sacrificing performance.)

The brand was founded by surfers who care about protecting the oceans – and it shows, both in how well the products work, and how sustainable they are.

Their sunscreens were designed for surfing or any outdoor sport that puts you under a strong sun and needing intense sun protection. But, unlike a lot of surfer sunscreen brands, the Avasol formulas don’t feel like you’re applying mud to your face. They’re surprisingly easy to wash off (with soap). And they come in four shades (hallelujah! Not just one!), so you can forget about that white nose look, even while you’re out on the water.

If you want to try any of their products, don’t forget to use our discount code, below:

Avasol Certifications & Sustainability

The two sunscreen formulas Avasol makes both use non-nano zinc oxide for sun protection, with organic, 100% certified bio-based formulas that have been clinically and allergy tested. And if you’re looking for gluten-free sunscreen, you’ve found that here, too. However, their formulas are not vegan, because they use organic products from sustainably raised bees. 

And while their sunscreens use non-nano minerals, and definitely none of the chemical sunscreens that have been proven toxic to marine life, Avasol avoids using the term “reef safe.”  

I respect that, because “reef safe” is an unregulated term. As they explain on their FAQ page: 

“That means that “reef safe” can be put on a label even when the product is full of ingredients that are known to be harmful to marine life, including nano particle versions of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. A truly non-toxic, non-nano sunscreen will always create a visible physical barrier. While our sunscreen may not rub on clear, we solved this problem by adding a beautiful tint to even out your skin tone. You can trust that Avasol is “safer for the ocean,” meaning that our ingredients are 100% bio-based and the safest that we can find for the ocean and the planet.”

Beyond that, there’s a line on Avasol’s about page that I’m absolutely in love with: 

“While responsible corporate behavior could solve most of today’s social and environmental problems, not everyone is prepared to turn that fact into their reality.” 

That pretty much sums up why I continue to review sustainable products on Tilted Map. There are so many companies out there creating excellent products that don’t destroy the planet (or our own health). And I want you to know about them! 

Avasol “Surfer’s Barrier Stick” Review— Tinted Mineral Sunscreen STICK 

This 100% plastic-free sunscreen stick surprised me – of all the sunscreen brands I’ve tested, it’s become my favorite tinted sunscreen for my face.

I tried the SPF 30 version, but it also comes in SPF 50 which uses both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. (Both are non-nano and uncoated.)

And I think they’re selling themselves short by putting “surfer” in the name; I’ve been using this stick on land every day and loving it. (And not breaking out.)

The formula is creamy and smooth. The tint is definitely not sheer. It’s closer to a light foundation than a mere tinted sunscreen. (I don’t normally wear foundation, but the tint of the Barrier Stick definitely replaces my concealer, so that’s a win.)

Luckily though, it blends much better than I expected, and is surprisingly matte — not greasy or oily at all. It’s a much better texture and color than most products in the “surfer sunscreen” category. The formula feels so dense and concentrated that it does require a moisturizer underneath it. (Of course, that’ll depend on how oily or dry your skin is. Mine is somewhere in the middle, and my go-to refillable daily face moisturizer is perfect underneath it.)

When layered over moisturizer, the blendability is enough that you can even mix two shades, using your face as the palette, if one isn’t quite right for you. 

And while the Surfer’s Barrier Stick stays put during the day, it’s easier to wash off with any face cleanser than most surfer sunscreens. (Not like my Palm & Pine sunscreen, which stays put better than anything, but requires an oil cleanser before it’ll budge from my skin. My Palm and Pine sunscreen review is coming soon!)

“Environmental Defense Cream” – Tinted Mineral Sunscreen CREAM

This cream sunscreen formula is definitely creamy. It’s designed to be both sunscreen and skincare, with tons of moisturizing ingredients: Jojoba, sunflower, tamanu, argan and red raspberry seed oils to hydrate and nourish skin, and cupuacu and shea butter to protect it from moisture loss. 

And they’re not joking, my skin definitely isn’t hurting for moisture with this stuff. For me though, it’s a bit too oily for daily use as a facial sunscreen. (It even makes my hair look oily by afternoon, as it migrates off my face.) 

But as an SPF 30 for my body, this is a great option. It’s easier to apply and spread than any other formula I’ve tested. And the moisture makes it feel comfortable, not sticky or heavy. 

I do have to be careful though, because it can be tough to remove if I get any on clothes or swimsuits. 

Scents

Avasol products don’t have any fragrance ingredients added, but that’s not to say they smell like nothing. In fact, the one thing I didn’t love (at first) about the Surfer’s Stick, was the scent.

It’s a strong (but definitely not offensive) very herbal scent. My husband described it as smelling “like coffee and herbs and some kind of fermented brew.”

But honestly, I got used to it in a few days and don’t even notice it anymore while using this sunscreen every day. 

The Environmental Defense Cream (the sunscreen in a pouch) smells exactly like the SPF stick. 

But the Barrier Cream is quite different! It’s still herbal, but with a soothing minty scent. (Probably from the organic peppermint oil.)

All of these scents come from the raw, unrefined oils in Avasol’s formulas, which also provide moisture, antioxidants and lots of skincare benefits. For example, jojoba, sunflower, tamanu, argan and red raspberry seed oil moisturize skin. And manuka, rosemary and cinnamon leaf oils “improve the appearance of skin.”

And reading that last list, I realized my husband’s scent description was pretty spot-on!

Sustainable Packaging? 

Avasol’s face sunscreen stick has earned a 10/10 for its cardboard tube. The bottom of the tube, where you push the sunscreen stick up with your finger, is made of natural cork. That means it’s sturdy and (unlike all of the other cardboard sticks of sunscreen, deodorant and lip balm that I’ve used) it actually stays in place!

Avasol says this packaging was an industry first when they launched the company in 2010. And that absolutely makes sense to me, because even now, I haven’t found any other brands that use such an effective and well-designed plastic-free tube.

I’m half-way through my tube, and there are no signs of it falling apart. As for what to do with it when it’s empty: 

“We have not pursued a biodegradable certification to make claims of compostability of our tube, because of the prohibitive cost of doing so. We have however done third party testing of the materials we use to produce the paperboard tube, to ensure that it contains zero harmful chemicals to the environment.”

So while it’s not officially compostable, it is something I’d feel comfortable burying in a backyard compost pile. But I wouldn’t put it in the recycling bin, as the cardboard will be oily on the inside. (I emailed Avasol to double check this, and I’ll let you know what I hear.)

That being said, even putting a small amount of cardboard in the landfill is better overall than recycling plastic packaging. 

What about the pouch?

The cream sunscreen, however, is not plastic-free. It comes in a little aluminum packet with a plastic screw top, which Avasol describes as “the smallest possible spout we could source.” I believe it – it’s pretty tiny!

And that means it uses a lot less plastic than most sunscreens, which is definitely still a win. They also say they’re working on improving this package even more, and I’m excited to see what they come up with.

A brand that pairs perfectly with Avasol

This practical approach to sustainable packaging reminds me of another favorite skincare company I’ve tested: Activist Skincare. They make refillable glass bottles of serums, cleansers, and moisturizers, with refills in very thin, efficient plastic packets. It’s a compromise that greatly reduces both plastic packaging and shipping emissions (including compared with glass).

Activist also carries three different oil-based cleansers for different skin types. (Perfect for removing Avasol or any heavier, oil-based sunscreens.)

(Related: Check out my review of Activist Skincare for details on the cleansers and other products.)

Shipping Options & Where to Buy:

Avasol offers free shipping on US orders over $50. (And very reasonable $4 standard shipping for smaller orders.) Orders ship from California.

Internationally, Avasol ships to Canada, Japan, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong and U.S. Outlying Islands.

Their products are also available in a few local shops, but they don’t currently have a map or list of local shopping options on their website.

Discounts – two options! 

You can order direct from Avasol and save 10% with my discount code:

Activist Skincare, the brand I mentioned above, also carries Avasol. (They charge a tiny bit more, but offer a bigger discount, which makes the price slightly lower.) 

So if you want to order your sunscreen together with a good oil cleanser to remove it, or other skincare products, you can get them all in one package. (I double checked this with Activist – all items on their site ship together in one order.)

Before you go: More Sustainable Product Reviews

• Circular Bodies Sunscreen review
• Dip Shampoo Bar Review (the fanciest bars I’ve tried)
• Viori Shampoo Bar Review (made with organic rice grown by a tribe we visited in China)
• Rebrand Skincare Review – the easiest REFILLABLE skincare routine?
• Bamboo vs Recycled Toilet Paper – which is most sustainable? (And which is worth the switch?)

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