In general, the world has become more eco-conscious. Every industry now has the spotlight on them as customers turn their attention to which brands do their bit to protect the planet. The sun lotion industry is no different, as millions of tons of chemical sunscreens pour into the oceans each year, bleaching coral reefs and rendering them uninhabitable to marine life. The good news is that reef friendly sunscreen is here to safeguard them for future generations.
Around 50% of these marine habitats have been lost in recent years with others being severely damaged. However, if enough people switch to reef-friendly products, there may still be hope.
So, What Makes Reef Friendly Sunscreen So Gentle?
It’s what’s inside that makes products like these so kind to Mother Earth. Reef friendly sunscreen lacks damaging chemicals like octinoxate and oxybenzone that are so damaging. It’s these compounds that are responsible for turning coral reefs white, as well as damaging the DNA in coral cells.
Instead, reef-friendly products use minerals like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide which act as physical blockers. They sit on top of the skin and are extremely effective at reflecting UV rays away from the skin, plus they give the user the peace of mind of knowing their sun safety isn’t coming at the expense of the environment.
Broad-Spectrum Protection with Minimal Impact
As well as being kind to the planet, these mineral-based sunscreens are also super-kind to your skin. They offer broad-spectrum protection (meaning you’re safe against UVA and UVB rays) with minimal impact on the environment. Pretty neat, right? Even better if you have sensitive skin conditions to deal with that are made worse by chemical brands.
Need some more reasons to consider moving to a reef-friendly product a.k.a mineral sunscreen? How about these worrying facts?
- Oxybenzone is highly toxic to coral larvae, hindering their development and making it difficult for coral populations to recover and replenish themselves.
- Some sunscreen ingredients act as endocrine disruptors in marine life, interfering with the hormonal balance necessary for coral reproduction and growth.
- Chemical sunscreens make coral more susceptible to disease, which further degrades reef ecosystems which then endangers the animals that rely upon them to survive.
- Chemical compounds from sunscreens accumulate in coral tissues over time, leading to chronic exposure that exacerbates the negative effects on coral health and resilience.
- Sunscreen chemicals not only affect corals but also accumulate in reef fish, leading to developmental and reproductive issues, which can disrupt the entire reef ecosystem.
Moving to Reef Friendly Sunscreen Is the Least We Can Do
Ask most people whether they’d like to protect the natural environment and you’re going to get an affirmative answer. Switching to a different, more gentle type of sunscreen requires minimal effort and we think that we’d all agree that it’s the least we can do to protect coral reefs so that our grandchildren get to see them.
By choosing reef-friendly sunscreens, you can protect your skin in one of the most effective ways while also safeguarding our oceans and marine life. It’s your call to make, but if everyone makes the change sooner rather than later, the more likely it is that the reefs can be saved.
