75/ 100
C
OverallF59/100
Garden Goddess Sunscreen

Goddess Garden · Sunscreen

Garden Goddess Sunscreen

C · Moderate

Goddess Garden mineral sunscreen presents lower PFAS concern; no waterproofing claims typical of chemical sunscreens.

Verdict: BuyMineral sunscreen with lower PFAS risk, no established hazards in non-PFAS categories, and transparent ingredient profile typical of clean beauty brands.

Goddess Garden is known for mineral-based (physical) sunscreen formulations using zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which do not inherently require PFAS-based water repellency coatings. However, the brand does not publicly disclose PFAS status or hold third-party verification.

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Material

mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide)

Brand disclosure

Brand is silent on PFAS

Lab data

No public lab test

Why this grade

Category baseline

cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.

Hurts the grade

No PFAS disclosure

No public statement about PFAS in this product.

Hurts the grade

Safe base material

Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).

Helps the grade

The full breakdown

What it's made of and why it matters

Garden Goddess Sunscreen uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as active UV filters, which sit on the skin surface rather than absorbing into it. These are the only two sunscreen actives the FDA classifies as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) and are favored by dermatologists for sensitive skin. Mineral sunscreens avoid the chemical filter ingredients (oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate) that accumulate in the body and show environmental persistence. The formulation does not rely on waterproofing silicones or PFAS-based water-repellent coatings typical of chemical sunscreen stability.

The brand's record and disclosure

Goddess Garden is a long-standing mineral sunscreen brand (operating since 2005) with public ingredient transparency on labels and website. The brand does not claim waterproof or extended water-resistant ratings, which is consistent with the mineral formulation type and reduces pressure to use PFAS or other solubilizers. No major recalls, FDA enforcement actions, or verified safety controversies appear in public records for this brand. The brand's silent stance on PFAS is typical of smaller natural brands that have not adopted formal testing or third-party certifications like the Cradle to Cradle or NSF standards, but absence of waterproofing claims reduces PFAS likelihood.

How it compares in its category

Mineral sunscreens like this occupy the safer end of the UV protection spectrum; they avoid the systemic absorption of chemical filters documented in FDA biomonitoring studies. Compared to spray sunscreens (inhalation risk) and heavily fragranced formulations (fragrance allergen load), a simple mineral stick or lotion is lower risk. Most mainstream brands (Coppertone, Neutrogena) combine mineral and chemical actives or include more synthetic preservatives and fragrances; Goddess Garden's minimalist approach aligns with the clean beauty category expectation.

If you buy it

Apply generously to all sun-exposed skin at least 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating. Mineral sunscreens can leave a white cast on darker skin tones due to zinc oxide particle size; test on a small area first. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat; zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are stable and do not degrade significantly in home conditions. No special maintenance is needed; simply use as directed and discard if the formulation separates visibly or changes odor.

Beyond PFAS: other things we checked

Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”

Possible

Fragrance allergens (if added)

Goddess Garden products often include plant-derived fragrance for brand identity; fragrance is not fully disclosed on most labels and remains a known trigger for contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals, particularly on sun-exposed skin.

None known

Talc or talc-like contamination

No talc is listed in Goddess Garden mineral sunscreen formulations on public records. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide can be sourced from talc-contaminated ores, but no tested recalls or complaints have emerged for this brand in published databases.

Possible

Preservative sensitivity (parabens or alternatives)

Depending on the specific product line, Goddess Garden uses various preservatives (often plant-based in their natural line); some users report sensitivity to preservative systems, though this is less common than fragrance reactions.

Possible

Mineral particle inhalation (spray formulations only)

If Goddess Garden offers spray sunscreen versions, inhaling zinc oxide or titanium dioxide particles poses minimal but documented respiratory concern; stick or lotion formats eliminate this risk entirely.

Possible

Skin occlusion or clogged pores

Mineral sunscreens create a physical barrier that some individuals with acne-prone skin find occlusive; this is a cosmetic irritation rather than a toxicological hazard but warrants testing on oily skin types before full-face application.

What we don’t know

This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.

No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.

The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.

Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.

Safer alternatives in Sunscreen

Goddess Garden Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 6 oz

Goddess Garden

Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 6 oz

mineral-based UV filters, plant-derived waxes

A
A
PFASAll
A · Very low PFAS2 flags

Lower-concern mineral sunscreen with credible PFAS-exclusion certification.

MADE SAFE

Verified PFAS-free by a third party

Raw Elements Eco Formula SPF 30 Sunscreen

Raw Elements

Eco Formula SPF 30 Sunscreen

mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide)

A
B
PFASAll
A · Very low PFAS3 flags

Lower PFAS concern; mineral sunscreen with third-party verification and no known fluorochemical history.

MADE SAFE certifiedEWG Verified

Verified PFAS-free by a third party

Raw Elements Face & Body Sunscreen Tin SPF 30

Raw Elements

Face & Body Sunscreen Tin SPF 30

mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide), tin packaging

A
B
PFASAll
A · Very low PFAS3 flags

Lower-concern choice; mineral sunscreen + explicit PFAS-free positioning + third-party certs reduce risk.

MADE SAFE CertifiedReef Safe Certified

Verified PFAS-free by a third party

More sunscreen grades

How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.