The Importance Of Reef-Friendly Sunscreen While On Vacation

Sunscreen is an essential item when enjoying a beach vacation as it protects your skin from the sun’s harsh rays. However, sun protection can wash off into the ocean when you are swimming or diving. The chemicals can then cause damage to the essential coral reefs and marine life. The US National Park Service estimates that more than 5,000 tons of sunscreen washes off swimmers into the oceans of the world, which are terrifying statistics. For this reason, should you be using reef-friendly sunscreen on vacation this year?

How to find reef-friendly sunscreen

Sunscreen is an essential item when spending time in the hot sun, protecting you from harmful rays. However, there is a chance your sunscreen is harming the natural environment around you. If, for instance, you have just finished lathering up with the product and then jumped into the waves this is likely the case

According to the US National Park Service (NPS), many chemicals used in sunscreen products are especially damaging to coral reefs and marine life. Moreover, the NPS estimates that more than 5,000 tons of sunscreen wash off swimmers and leach into the oceans worldwide.

Meanwhile, according to the American Chemical Society, if you include all the waterways, including lakes and rivers, the number of tons is closer to 13,000. Also, it isn’t just related to swimmers, but also to wastewater. This goes to highlight the importance of avoiding the more chemical-laden sunscreen products even when not at the beach.

How does sunscreen harm coral reefs?

Among the chemicals found in sunscreen products, octinoxate and oxybenzone have been discovered in waters surrounding delicate coral reefs, popular for diving and swimming. According to research, these chemicals are toxic to coral and have the potential to harm their health and reproduction, while contributing to bleaching. Meanwhile, coral reefs are already at risk due to climate-change-induced marine heatwaves and chemicals threaten the resiliency even more.

Moreover, these coral reefs are essential to the underwater ecosystem and provide shelter and food for around 25 percent of all marine life. However, they also offer natural protection to coastal areas by cushioning the waves hitting the shore and are also a source of income for many communities that depend on them. Products with certain chemicals are known to also stunt the growth of seaweed and algae and damage reproduction and immunity in marine life.

How do you find reef-friendly sunscreen?

Certain sunscreen products have the phrase “reef-friendly” on their packaging as they avoid certain harmful chemicals. Meanwhile certain destinations with delicate marine ecosystems, including Thailand and Hawaii – are banning or restricting products containing the dangerous ingredients.

One of the best ways to protect yourself and the environment is to avoid products that include the following chemicals:

• Oxybenzone
• Octinoxate
• Octocrylene
• 4-methylbenzylidene camphor
• OD-PABA
• Parabens
• Triclosan

Meanwhile, besides those chemicals, certain products include minerals known as nanoparticles. These are typically included in spray products and are also known to be toxic. For this reason, you should opt for “non-nano” mineral sunscreens. Moreover, products containing exfoliating beads should also be avoided due to microplastics that wash off into the ocean.

Opt for mineral-based, reef-friendly sunscreen

To avoid the problem, shop for mineral-based sunscreen products that use non-nano titanium dioxide or non-nano zinc oxide as these ingredients are believed to be less harmful to reefs and marine life.

One of the best ways of finding reef-friendly protection is to visit the website of the non-profit scientific organization, Haereticus Environmental Laboratory. The organization issues its own certification for reef-friendly and biodegradable sunscreens called “Protect Land + Sea.”

Among the qualifying products listed on the website are Badger, Odacité, Tropic and Stream2Sea. When traveling in Europe, other brands include Pai, Green People and Upcircle.

Stay safe in the sun this summer, but also protect the marine environment for the best vacation in 2024.