“Reef Safe” Sunscreen and Why Does it Matter?
Your sunscreen matters. Not just for your skin, but for the coral reefs, fish, and delicate marine ecosystems that get hit with everything we wash off our bodies.
Many common sunscreens contain chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which have been shown to:
Contribute to coral bleaching
Damage the DNA of marine life
Disrupt hormonal systems in fish and invertebrates (what do you think it does to yours?)
Accumulate in the water (and even sand!) long after you’ve towel-dried and left
Ingredients to Use:
Non-nano Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide
These minerals sit on the skin rather than absorb into it, providing broad-spectrum protection without harming marine lifeBrands we LOVE : Avasol, Stream2Sea, Freaks Of Nature, & Raw Elements
Ingredients to Avoid:
Oxybenzone
Octinoxate
Octocrylene
Homosalate
Avobenzone (debatable, but worth avoiding near reefs)
Parabens & phthalates
Fragrances and preservatives that are known endocrine disruptors
If it reads like a chemistry exam, it probably doesn't belong in the sea…or on your skin