Sunscreen is an important product for anyone wanting to avoid the sun’s harmful rays, but unfortunately the chemicals that block out UV rays can also be harmful to aquatic ecosystems. A single person snorkeling may feel like they have no effect, but as a population, it’s estimated that approximately 14,000 tons of sunscreen are released into oceans and therefore reefs annually. With that much sunscreen sloughing off of people, small quantities of toxic chemicals add up quickly. For this reason, reef safe mineral sunscreens are an awesome alternative to protect oneself, while also minimizing the impact we as humans have on the ocean and its reef systems.
Bans & Bad Chemicals
Hawaii was the first state to ban the sale of sunscreens containing the chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate. While all of Florida has not followed suit, Key West, FL has also banned sunscreens with these ingredients as well*. As we dug into this, we discovered a few more harmful chemicals. In addition to being damaging to the coral reef, some of these compounds are harmful to marine life as well. The top eight offenders to look out for are listed below. Be sure to check the ingredients list for these dubious chemicals!
| Oxybenzone | Octinoxate | Octocrylene | Homosalate |
| 4-methylbenzylidene camphor | PABA | Parabens | Triclosan |
Eleven Excellent Options
It is widely accepted that sunscreen should be worn when spending sustained periods of time outside or in direct sunlight, but integrating a sunscreen into your daily skincare routine may just be the best thing you can do to prevent premature aging of your skin. Interestingly, the sun exposure from a 30 minute mental-health walk or the blue light reflected up from a computer or phone can have their own damaging effects over time. Whether you’re packing to go on vacation or just trying to stay woke about daily skincare, we’ve found some of the best options, at a variety of price points, to keep your skin protected. Don’t forget to cover your ears and neck too!
1. Dr. Jart+
Dr. Jart+ is an innovative skincare company based in Korean, that has mastered skincare staples. Whether you need a sunscreen for vacation or you’re more of a can’t leave-the-indoors-without-burning, this Every Sun Day sunscreen’s got you covered. Another reef-safe option from Dr. Jart+ is the fan-favorite: Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment— it not only neutralizes redness but also has a very reasonable spf 30.
2. Kate Somerville
Sunscreen and cosmetics can be assigned a PA value, to inform consumers of the level of protection a products offers from UV rays. The Daily Deflector Mineral Face Sunscreen boasts an impressive PA++++, the highest score possible. Additionally, it is compatible with all skin types and completely unscented for anyone that’s sensitive to fragrance.
3. Tula
This sunscreen was named Best SPF by Health 2020 Beauty Awards, and it’s not hard to see why. The protect + glow daily sunscreen gel has a non-comedogenic formula, to keep pores clear and skin happy. This is of course in addition to the probiotic extracts and pineapple, as well as wild butterfly ginger root that are integrated into this packed sunscreen formula— a sunscreen that’s not just protecting you, but improving your skin along the way.
4. Murad
Offering maximum protection from UV rays, this City Skin Age Defense Sunscreen has also received the esteemed PA++++ rating. In addition to it’s spf 50, this sunscreen has a soft peach tint, which serves to color correct and boost radiance on all skin tones.
5. ILIA
If you’re searching for a make-up and sunscreen hybrid, look no further than the weightless Super Serum Skin Tint. By all accounts ILIA seems to be doing everything right. With 30 tints offered, this inclusive product is meant for everyone. It is silicone-free, fragrance-free, chemical screen-free, and non-comedogenic— while also incorporating hyaluronic acid, squalane, and niacinamide to keep skin hydrated. A perfect product for daily use!
6. Sun Bum
A universally recognized name in the sunscreen game, it comes as no surprise that Sun Bum offers a well-loved Sunscreen Face Lotion. This vegan, non-comedogenic, and fragrance-free product feels less like a chalky sunscreen and more like a primer, with it’s luxe matte finish. A perfect product for anyone with sensitive skin!
7. Native
Native is the epitome of a company with a conscience. They originally started as an anti-perspirant company to create an alternative to the mainstream aluminum-laden deodorants. As the company has grown they have expanded to a collection of re-formulated every day self-care products to maximize the safety and benefit for the consumer, while concurrently maintaining a mindfulness for the environment. This face sunscreen is offered in both a unscented and coconut-pineapple scents and boasts clean and effective ingredients
8. Supergoop!
A favorite in the world of high quality sunscreen, Supergood! has leveled up to offer their most reef-safe sunscreen yet: the Mineral Mattescreen. Mattescreen has a sheer tint to mask the white cast mineral sunscreens are sometimes known for. You love the blurring effect it has on pores, leaving your skin looking airbrushed and smooth.
9. Cetaphil
The Sheer Mineral Liquid Face Sunscreen from Cetaphil is a perfect option for anyone with sensitive skin. This fragrance-free, paraben-free and chemical-free active formula is hypoallergenic— plus it helps preserve your skin’s delicate microbiome. Another bonus, this sunscreen is water resistant for up to 80 minutes, making it a great option for the beach or longer outdoor workouts.
10. COOLA
The Sun Silk Créme sunscreen is the perfect combination of smooth, lightweight, and radiant moisture without a dreaded greasy finish. COOLA is known for their clean beauty products, so you can purchase with a clean conscience, knowing everything is crafted with at least 70% certified organic ingredients, from sustainable farming practices.
11. Dermalogica
Looking for some outside-the-box ingredients? The Invisible Physical Defense boasts some unique ingredients, with a bio-active mushroom complex to help soothe skin and reduce redness. You will also find antioxidant green tea in the mix to defend skin from free radical damage. All products from Dermalogica are free of artificial colors and fragrances, parabens, and microplastics, so you can purchase with confidence.
Haters Gunna Hate
This is intended to be enlightening in nature— certainly not a guilt-trip to anyone that wants to stick with a sunscreen brand they like. It can take ages to find a product you like, that doesn’t irritate your skin— especially your face.
With lots of outdoorsy travel on the horizon, we happened upon this sunscreen snafu, and felt it was important to share. Especially since we were previously unaware of the extent of harm the sunscreen can have on the environment. We hope you learned a little something as well!
We have done a cursory exploration into the topics of sunscreen’s environmental impact; however, we are far from experts in this area. If you have any contradicting or additionally informative knowledge to share, we would love to learn more!
If you are eager to earn more about what you can do to protect our reefs, you can visit Save the Reef .
None of the product photos in this post are our own as they were integrated from the associated linked website.
written by Hannah
Hannah has learned the hard way to be careful what you wish for— sometimes happily ever after lands you with a husband and puppy… in the Midwest. Despite leaving Florida to move to Wisconsin, Hannah maintains her bossy big sister role with regular phone calls to keep up with all the little sister shenanigans. Notoriously chatty with her patients as well, Hannah stays busy as a physical therapist, but loves spending weekends exploring newfound hikes.
