#Reef safe sunscreen meaning skin#

The most effective sunscreens use chemicals that are toxic to coral reefs, with just a small amount of these chemicals causing corals to bleach, become susceptible to viral infections, or lose their algal energy source. Some sunscreens also contain “UV blocking chemicals or nano-sized mineral particles that are potentially detrimental to coral health”, according to research on sunscreens banned in Hawaii. These chemicals are known to be harmful to coral reef ecosystems. Many sunscreen and sun-protection products are toxic to the environment, like those that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate. To avoid harming the environment and contributing to water pollution, you can swap to biodegradable sunscreen instead!īiodegradable sunscreen uses natural ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium oxide which don’t harm the environment while still protecting our skin. Unfortunately, many common sunscreens include chemicals that are harmful to marine ecosystems, especially coral reefs.

And it’s especially important in places that get a lot of direct sunlight, or when going swimming. Consumer Reports.Sunscreen is important to use to protect ourselves from UV rays – it’s not something we can forgo using for the rest of our lives. Effects of titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) nanoparticles on caribbean reef-building coral (Montastraea faveolata). Organic ultraviolet filters in nearshore waters and in the invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans) in Grenada, West Indies. Horricks RA, Tabin SK, Edwards JJ, Lumsden JS, Marancik DP. Benzophenone Accumulates over Time from the Degradat ion of Octocrylene in Commercial Sunscreen Products. doi: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2019.02.014ĭowns CA, DiNardo JC, Stien D, Rodrigues AMS, Lebaron P. Can oxybenzone cause Hirschsprung's disease? Reprod Toxicol. Sunscreens cause coral bleaching by promoting viral infections. doi: 10.1007/s0024-7.ĭanovaro R, Bongiorni L, Corinaldesi C, et al. Toxicopathological Effects of the Sunscreen UV Filter, Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3), on Coral Planulae and Cultured Primary Cells and Its Environmental Contamination in Hawaii and the U.S. Ewg’s guide to safer sunscreens.ĭowns CA, Kramarsky-Winter E, Segal R, Fauth J, Knutson S, Bronstein O, Ciner FR, Jeger R, Lichtenfeld Y, Woodley CM, Pennington P, Cadenas K, Kushmaro A, Loya Y. Octocrylene: The National Ocean Service says to steer clear of this popular UV filter, which can lead to marine harm.Nano-Zinc Oxide: Like NTD, NZO is a no-go thanks to its ultra-fine nature.Hence why this one is left out of reef-friendly sunscreens. In short, the smaller the particles, the more they can cause harm to the environment. Nano-Titanium Dioxide: Since it's a form of approved mineral sunscreen, you might be confused as to why nano-TD makes the list.3-Benzylidene Camphor: The Hawaiian National Park Service lists this popular UV filter as an ingredient to avoid at all costs.4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor: Also known as Enzacamene, Methylbenzylidene Camphor is a popular UV filter known to cause harm to marine life and coral reefs.PABA: While PABA can absorb UVB radiation, Save the Reef says to avoid it at all costs, as it can affect the reefs.

#Reef safe sunscreen meaning skin#

Its purpose is to protect products from deteriorating-but, in the process, it can deteriorate the skin and the environment. Benzophenone-1 and -8: Benzophenone is a popular UV filter often found in enamels and nail polishes.Octinoxate: Rated a yellow 5 on the EWG’s sunscreen scale, octinoxate has been shown to affect hormones, reproductive systems, and behavioral alterations in animal studies.

Oxybenzone: A popular UV filter rated as a red 8 on the EWG's sunscreen scale, oxybenzone has been connected not only to coral bleaching but to human birth defects, too.