Did you know that every year, over 6,000 tons of sunscreen ends up in areas in and around coral reefs?
If that sunscreen isn’t made with ocean organisms in mind, that can amount to a lot of environmental damage.
Fortunately, chemists and sunscreen manufacturers have figured out how to make sunscreen with less of an impact! Unfortunately, the labels “reef safe” and “reef friendly” aren’t federally regulated. So it’s important to learn what specific ingredients to look for and make an informed decision. Our job is to do our best to use the products with friendly ingredients.
Choose Mineral Sunscreen
❌ Some chemical UV filters, particularly Oxybenzone, Avobenzone, and Oxtinoxate (and possibly Homosalate and Octocrylene), have been shown to harm corals and other marine life. For example, interfering in the natural processes of photosynthesis, which could contribute to die off phenomenons like coral bleaching.
✅ Look instead for mineral sunscreen with active ingredients like Zinc Oxide and Titanium Oxide, preferably in non-nano form.
Other Red Flags
Inactive ingredients can also harm wildlife. Look for 4-aminbenzoic acid (PABA), Padimate O (OD-PABA), parabens, and any microplastics.
Protect Land and Sea Certification
There is one label that is regulated (not federally) through a third-party certification. Products with the Protect Land and Sea Certification seal have been empirically tested and found to not contain the compounds on the HEL List.
It’s only attained through voluntary participation, so it doesn’t mean products without this seal are automatically not reef safe, but it is a great label to keep an eye out for and can be a helpful shortcut when evaluating your options.
The Bigger Picture
Some places, including Hawaii, have taken steps to restrict the use of certain sunscreens containing certain UV filters, and the results have been debated by scientists, who continue to study how sunscreen pollution impacts reefs under real-world conditions.
What we do know is that the greatest threat to coral reefs is climate change. Rising ocean temperatures and increasingly severe marine heat waves are driving mass coral bleaching events around the world.
Choosing a more ocean-friendly sunscreen isn’t going to solve the climate crisis or restore reefs overnight. We have a lot of work still to do in that regard. But as everyday consumers, we can work with the information we have and choose products that reduce potential harm when we can.
As always, progress over perfection.