When you’ve been buying sun protection products in the past, have you ever noticed the term ‘reef safe’? If so, you might have wondered to yourself, “What is reef safe sunscreen exactly?” Well, it’s all about the damage that traditional chemical sunscreens have done and continue to inflict upon the precious coral reefs that exist around the world.
For one reason or another we’ve lost over 50% of these amazing marine habitats and chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate (both found in chemical sunscreens) have majorly contributed to the problem. The big issue is that once coral reefs are gone, they’re gone forever, which is why reef safe sunscreens are becoming more and more popular every day.
What Is Reef Safe Sunscreen Doing to Prevent the Problem?
The importance of coral reefs to the overall global ecosystem shouldn’t be underestimated, as they’re known to be home to over 4,000 species of fish – and that’s just fish! So, what is reef safe sunscreen doing to combat the problem and why is it the more eco-friendly choice?
Zinc Oxide Occurs in Nature
Reef-safe sunscreens use physical (mineral) blockers like zinc oxide that occur in nature, unlike the many man-made concoctions found in chemical sunscreens. As such, when mineral-based sunscreen finds its way into the ocean, it has no damaging effects on marine life.
Believe it or not, over 14,000 tons of chemical sunscreen go into the oceans each year, contributing to the problem and this would stop if everyone made the switch.
What Other Chemicals Should Be Avoided?
There are also some chemical brands that are labeled as being safe for coral reefs, but to ensure that your sunscreen is truly reef-safe, you should check the label and avoid products containing:
- Oxybenzone & Octinoxate (as mentioned above)
- PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid)
- Octocrylene
- Homosalate
- Parabens
These ingredients are known to contribute to coral bleaching which basically turns these habitats white and makes them unsuitable for marine life. You should also choose products that are free from fragrances, preservatives, and other chemicals that may harm marine ecosystems.
The great news is that many brands now offer reef-safe formulas in a variety of forms, including lotions, sticks, and sprays, making it easy to find a product that suits your needs. However, there’s one way to be 100% sure that you’re getting a reef-safe product: buy mineral sunscreen.
What Is Reef Safe Sunscreen? It’s a Way to Protect Marine Life For the Future
Using reef-safe sunscreen is a simple yet powerful way to protect both your skin and the environment. By choosing sunscreens made with safe, mineral-based ingredients, you can enjoy your time in the sun knowing that you’re doing your bit for the planet.
Marine life needs our support and by providing it, we might just be able to save these amazing locations for future generations to enjoy. Let’s face it, changing which sunscreen you use is hardly a huge commitment, but it can have truly colossal implications for Mother Nature.
So, if you care about the future of our precious ecosystems and you haven’t yet switched to a mineral-based sunscreen, there’s no time like the present.