The Importance of Reef Friendly Sunscreen
Coral reefs are home to one quarter of all marine species and are crucial to maintaining the health, stability and biodiversity of our eco-system. Human activity is leading to disastrous affects on the coral reefs, half the worlds coral reefs are already dead and by 2050 they could all be gone. Global warming, plastic pollution and chemical pollution are huge drivers, but another factor that is contributing to the damage is sunscreen.
The oxybenzone (also known as benzophenone) in sunscreen is what is causing the damage. In 2015, a study found it only takes a small amount of oxybenzone to cause serious damage to the coral reef. This ingredient is commonly used in FDA approved sunscreens, many of these are advertised as coral reef safe. Its always smart to double check the ingredients in the sunscreen to make sure they do not contain those ingredients.
Here are a few reef friendly sunscreens that we recommend
$15.99
“Our products are made with all-natural, organic ingredients and are formulated to heal so they not only feel good on you, they make you feel better.”
A few more perks to shopping with All Good are they donate 1% of profits to 1% for the plant, all there materials contain a larger percentage of recycled materials and are 100% recyclable. They also carry a range of other products for healing the skin.
$16.95
· “Feel good about using Stream2Sea’s Mineral Sunscreen for Body SPF 30. All of our mineral sunscreens and natural body care products are made of natural ingredients, biodegradable and tested safe for fish and coral larvae. This protects you, your family, and our planet’s waters”
“We don’t like plastic either! That is why our tubes are made from sugarcane resins and our bottles are 97% post-consumer recycled content”
$17.99
“Lightweight and easy to apply, this daily sunscreen lotion for face and body blocks the sun’s harmful rays with non-nano zinc oxide, the safest and most effective single active mineral ingredient. Developed with sensitive skin in mind, it has a gentle aloe and sunflower oil base and is lab approved hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic”
They carry a wide range of natural organic products from sunscreen to bug repellents and aromatherapy.
$ 32.00
“MANDA Organic Sun Creme falls on the heels of our Organic Sun Paste, allowing for full body SPF 50 coverage, made possible by its smooth, creamy lotion texture”
Their products are the first to use Thanaka, natural sun protectant that preserves and beautifies the skin. With its anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and moisturizing properties. This ingredient is also sustainable and regenerative.