Mrs. Meyers Sunscreen vs Honest Company Sunscreen

Honest Company Sunscreen edges ahead with better ingredient safety scores and more third-party certifications, making it our top pick for families seeking non-toxic sunscreen.

Honest Company Sunscreen is the stronger pick in this comparison. We compare price, certifications, ingredient signals, and citation support so shoppers can make a cleaner and more durable choice without relying on vague marketing language.

Mrs. Meyers Sunscreen overview

Mrs. Meyers Sunscreen from Mrs. Meyers is positioned in the sunscreen category with a listed price of $9.24 and a retailer rating of 4.88/5.

Its visible trust signals are EPA Safer Choice, Cradle to Cradle, and USDA Certified Biobased. The ingredient profile is led by Formaldehyde (1/10 safety score), Triclosan (2/10 safety score), which shapes how we weigh irritation risk, endocrine-disruption risk, and overall household suitability.

Formaldehyde: A known human carcinogen sometimes released by preservatives in cleaning and personal care products. Common uses include nail polish, hair straightening, some cleaning products. Regulatory context: Classified as Group 1 carcinogen by IARC; restricted in EU cosmetics.

Triclosan: An antibacterial and antifungal agent that was widely used in consumer products before FDA regulation. Common uses include antibacterial soap, toothpaste, deodorant. Regulatory context: Banned by FDA in over-the-counter antiseptic wash products (2016).

Honest Company Sunscreen overview

Honest Company Sunscreen from Honest Company is positioned in the sunscreen category with a listed price of $26.96 and a retailer rating of 4.33/5.

Its visible trust signals are USDA Certified Biobased, EPA Safer Choice, and EWG Verified. The ingredient profile is led by Coconut Oil (9/10 safety score), Fragrance (Synthetic) (3/10 safety score), which shapes how we weigh irritation risk, endocrine-disruption risk, and overall household suitability.

Coconut Oil: A natural oil derived from coconut meat, used as a moisturizer, cleanser, and antimicrobial agent. Common uses include moisturizers, soaps, hair care, cooking. Regulatory context: Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by FDA.

Fragrance (Synthetic): A proprietary blend of chemicals used to add scent. Companies are not required to disclose individual fragrance ingredients. Common uses include cleaning products, laundry detergent, personal care, air fresheners. Regulatory context: Not individually regulated; protected as trade secret.

Head-to-head safety and material analysis

Mrs. Meyers Sunscreen and Honest Company Sunscreen sit in the same category, but they do not present the same risk profile. We favor products that minimize high-concern materials, reduce synthetic fragrance exposure, and carry clearer third-party verification. In practice that means looking at the strongest and weakest ingredients on each label, the product's intended use around babies or food contact, and whether the formulation creates unnecessary exposure tradeoffs.

For this matchup, the quick verdict is: Honest Company Sunscreen edges ahead with better ingredient safety scores and more third-party certifications, making it our top pick for families seeking non-toxic sunscreen. That summary is supported by the ingredient and citation evidence listed below, not just price or brand familiarity.

Price, ratings, and trust signals

Mrs. Meyers Sunscreen is listed at $9.24 with a 4.88/5 rating, while Honest Company Sunscreen is listed at $26.96 with a 4.33/5 rating. Ratings alone do not prove safety, but they help contextualize durability and repeat-purchase satisfaction once the material profile passes a non-toxic screen.

Third-party signals matter because they reduce guesswork. Mrs. Meyers Sunscreen lists EPA Safer Choice, Cradle to Cradle, and USDA Certified Biobased, while Honest Company Sunscreen lists USDA Certified Biobased, EPA Safer Choice, and EWG Verified.

Best for different households

• budget-conscious families: Mrs. Meyers Sunscreen
• sensitive skin: Mrs. Meyers Sunscreen
• maximum certifications: Mrs. Meyers Sunscreen

Research and citation takeaways

The seed inventory includes 7 supporting citations for this page. These findings are used to pressure-test brand claims against broader material-safety evidence.

• Formaldehyde and leukemia: an updated meta-analysis and evaluation of study heterogeneity (2009) found that Meta-analysis supports a causal association between formaldehyde exposure and myeloid leukemia. PMID: 20562055.
• Occupational exposure to formaldehyde and cancer risk (2018) found that Significant dose-response relationship between formaldehyde exposure and nasopharyngeal cancer. PMID: 29372881.
• Triclosan: environmental exposure, toxicity and mechanisms of action (2017) found that Triclosan disrupts thyroid hormone homeostasis and may contribute to antibiotic resistance. PMID: 27372514.
• Association between triclosan and allergies in children (2012) found that Higher urinary triclosan levels associated with increased risk of allergic sensitization in children. PMID: 29596885.
• Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of coconut oil (2010) found that Virgin coconut oil demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties in animal models. PMID: 34024208.
• Fragrance contact allergy: a clinical review (2015) found that Fragrance is the most common cause of contact allergy from cosmetic products, affecting 1-4% of the general population. PMID: 26270305.
• Hidden exposures: volatile emissions from fragranced products (2011) found that Fragranced products emit numerous VOCs including carcinogens with no legal requirement for ingredient disclosure. PMID: 21684727.

Related safety guides

• formaldehyde
• triclosan

Frequently asked questions

Is Mrs. Meyers Sunscreen better than Honest Company Sunscreen?

Based on our ingredient safety analysis, Honest Company Sunscreen scores higher overall. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs and sensitivities.

Are Mrs. Meyers products truly non-toxic?

Mrs. Meyers holds EPA Safer Choice and Cradle to Cradle and USDA Certified Biobased certification(s), which provides third-party verification of their safety claims.

What harmful ingredients should I avoid in sunscreen?

Key ingredients to avoid in sunscreen include synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, and SLS/SLES. Look for products with EWG Verified or EPA Safer Choice certifications.

Bottom line

Honest Company Sunscreen edges ahead with better ingredient safety scores and more third-party certifications, making it our top pick for families seeking non-toxic sunscreen. Honest Company Sunscreen is the stronger pick in this comparison. If you are optimizing for lower-risk materials and clearer ingredient transparency, use the scenario guidance above and the linked safety guides to decide which tradeoffs are acceptable for your household.