How do you choose a coral-friendly SPF?

Our fascination with ‘clean’ beauty has never existed just now about applying certain ingredients to our skin. It was also about reducing waste, reducing our waste streams impact on the environmentand be more responsible with our consumption.

In that sense, the idea of ​​reef-safe sunscreen sounds pretty damn good. Coral reefs not only support vital underwater ecosystems (about 25% of all marine species), they Doing us a solid one here on land. They protect coastlines against storms and erosion, are one important source of food and contain chemical compounds That has been used during treatments for leukemia, lymphoma and cardiovascular diseases, among others.

However, the research into the effect of sunscreen on our coral friends is still new and developing, so products that call themselves ‘reef safe’ have no way of really knowing if they are.indeed, reef-safe. That said, we prefer to be on the safe side and shop with the reef in mind, so we turned to the professionals to help us understand which reef-safe sunscreen Real means and give us a few recommendations for our next sunscreen purchase.

How does sunscreen affect the ocean?

When you go into the ocean, your sunscreen inevitably washes away in the water to some extent. The problem is that many sunscreens contain ingredients such as oxybenzone, octinoxateand octocrylene. These chemical ingredients absorb UV radiation, says Dr. Sartor, but alas: they are allowed Also bleaching coral reefs, affecting the growth and photosynthesis of algae, and harming the overall health and reproduction of ocean wildlife. Once a coral reef dies, it rarely returnsand entire ecosystems depend on its vitality.

Research is still ongoing to determine this just now how much damage these ingredients cause to underwater ecosystems (and there certainly are other factors such as climate change). Still, early laboratory research on these ingredients has been enough to raise the concerns of environmentalists.

“How these lab studies translate into what Actually what happens in the ocean is unknown,” notes Dr. Jeffy up. “Research shows that marine life is exposed to extremely high concentrations of these chemicals, which are unlikely to occur under normal conditions. It is also possible that even lower concentrations have negative effects, but that is still unknown.”

Regardless, some destinations, including Hawaii, Key West, Aruba and the US Virgin Islands, aren’t risking it in the meantime and are requiring visitors to use reef-safe sunscreen. Despite the evolving research, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Boakye that it is safer to assume that reef-safe sunscreen still better for the environment than non-reef-safe sunscreen.

What is reef-safe sunscreen?

“Reef safe” and “ocean friendly” are unregulated terms want to say that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not set a standard that products must meet in order to use the word. So technically, any brand can call its product ‘reef safe’. And because the research is not yet complete, it’s hard to say whether “reef safe” is even a thing.

“Given the importance of corals and concerns about their vulnerability to climate change, it is fair to say that potential risks may outweigh the benefits of these ingredients to humans, especially if more effective alternative ingredients exist,” says Dr. Farnsworth.

If you are looking for sunscreen without That potentially environmentally harmful ingredients, you can keep an eye on things for a few things. “Sunscreens are considered reef safe are the ones who only contain physical blockers such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide that reflect UV radiation instead of absorbing it,” says Dr. Sartor.

Looking for sunscreen labeled “mineral” or “physical” is a good start. You can also look for the term “non-nano,” which means the sunscreen particles are large enough not to be absorbed as easily by your skin or coral. “Preservatives, fragrances and another UV-blocking chemical, octocrylene, have also been scrutinized,” adds Dr. Jeffy.

Physical and mineral sunscreens will have a bit of a white cast, but that is purely a cosmetic issue. “A pale cast can even be useful for monitoring how quickly someone sweats or their sunscreen wears off,” says Dr. Farnsworth.

If you’re heading to Hawaii or want to err on the side of caution while you wait for more evidence to emerge (again, better safe than sorry), here are a few of the pro’s favorites:

Tizo Ultra Zinc Mineral Sunscreen – $45.00

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jeremy Fenton recommends this mineral sunscreen because of its high concentration of zinc oxide. It’s also “nicely moisturizing and doesn’t make your face look white and mushy,” he says.

Thinksport Safe Sunscreen – $16.00

“This sunscreen is safe for the whole family, contains zinc oxide, and is especially great for those who are active and spend a lot of time outdoors as it is water resistant for up to 80 minutes,” says Dr. Garshick.

Raw Elements Face + Body – $16.00

This Non-nano zinc oxide controls a few as well eco-friendly boxes, notes cosmetic chemist Dr. Shuting Hu op. “In addition to the ocean-friendly formulation, the packaging is made from sugar cane waste, reducing plastic consumption.”

Mama Kuleana Reef Safe Sunscreen – $31.00

Dr. Hu recommends this mineral SPF 30. “This sunscreen is 100% free from microplastics and comes in fully biodegradable jars, making it an extra Real great, eco-friendly option,” she says.

Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen – $20.00

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick recommends this “reef-safe” formula because it is free of parabens and fragrances, making it a great option for sensitive skin. “It’s a great option for summer days because it’s also water-resistant,” she says.

Avene Solaire UV Mineral Multi-Defense Fluid Sunscreen – $36.00