Best Eco-Friendly And Reef Safe Sunscreens

Looking to find a new sunscreen? Tired of harsh chemicals? Or simply want to make a positive change for the environment? Then you’ve come to the right place!

Healthy coral reefs are one of the most treasured ecosystems on our earth. Aside from providing billions of dollars in economic and environmental services like food, coastal protection and even tourism; They protect our wildlife, make the seabeds more stable, clean our water and even hold the potential to fight diseases like cancer, HIV, malaria and many more. So many positive outcomes come from our coral reefs for the world. However, over the recent years coral ecosystems all around the world have been in danger and according to statistics from NOAA / Pacific Services Center (PSC) if left unchecked, and along with combined local and global pressures, it would push exceedingly over 90% of coral reefs to be endangered by 2030. And by 2050 nearly extinct.  

So how does our sunscreen come into play with our reefs?

Well, you see… research also shows that our sunscreens can be a part of the problem. According to Craig Downs who is a co-author and executive director of the Haereticus Environmental Laboratory, He states that: 

“Sunscreen pollution is a real phenomenon and it poses a threat to coral reefs and aquatic life. It’s also a major factor in decreased water quality.”

In addition, he states that the best thing we can to is to avoid using sunscreen at all and instead use bathing suits with sleeves, protective gear like hats, rash guards, and bodysuits that have a built-in broad-spectrum UV protection as no sunscreen so far is one-hundred percent “reef-safe”. These so far are one of the best options when it comes to our conservation measures for us humans as we impact less on our beaches sands and water. Now while this can sound like a difficult, risky, and annoying thing to do for us to do, as by doing so we are more susceptible to harmful rays, skin cancer, and painful sunburns.

So here's what we can do! 

1.We can try staying away from chemical based sunscreen that contain toxic offenders like these : 

• Oxybenzone

• Benzophenone-1

• Benzophenone-8

• OD-PABA

• 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor

• 3-Benzylidene camphor

• Nano-Titanium dioxide

•  Nano-Zinc oxide

•  Octinoxate

•  Octocrylene

Many of these ingredients have even been banned in many marine preserves in addition to the island of Palau, the Marshall Islands, the Virgin Islands, parts of Mexico, the Florida Keys and as of 2021, the entire state of Hawaii.

2. We can try to avoid sunscreen sprays as a good portion of it lands on the sand and water. It can affect both animals that nest on land like turtles and the ocean as tides sweep them up.

Which sunscreen should you buy and use?

Unfortunately to this day some companies actively try to up-sell, hide, confuse or loosely use the term “reef-safe” as the term is still unregulated. However, ever since 2020 legal ramifications have been in the process and companies often have to provide proof of those marketing claims. In addition, laws like Hawaii’s and retailers like REI are helping by getting products with toxic chemicals off shelves, however, the burden is inevitably on the consumer to get educated on not only reading the labels but understand what is really safe and what marketers claim are “safe”. 

One option is ‘like in the previous post’, trying mineral based sunblocks :

In good news, more companies are creating eco-conscious products and at various price points making it more accessible to just about everyone. Doing the least harm while playing outside while having menial effort. Non-nano mineral sunblocks are the best option so far as they are less harmful all around and just as effective according to many reports. Sure it might be a bit hard to rub in but they sit on the skin and physically block UV rays.

What are the best “reef-safe” sunscreens we can use?

Below you’ll find 10 of the best eco-friendly sunscreens that can help you stay safe from the UV rays while also doing little harm to the environment. 

1. Stream2Sea Sport Sunscreen (best water resistant + approved by environmentalists) 

2. Supergoop! Mineral Sheer Screen

3. Badger Clear Zinc SPF 40

4. Countersun Daily Sheer Defense

5. REN Clean Skincare Clean Screen Mineral SPF 30 (best face sunscreen)

6. All Good Sport Sunscreen

7. Raw Love All Natural Mineral Sunscreen

8. Suntegrity Skincare Natural Mineral Body Sunscreen

9. Kokua Sun Care Zinc Sunscreen SPF 50

10. Bare Republic Mineral Sunscreen Lotion