Guide to Coral Reef Safe Sunscreen

During my recent trip to Belize I learned that coral reefs around the world are in serious trouble. In fact, half the coral in the Caribbean was lost in 2010 to a massive coral bleaching event [1]. While researching, I discovered that bleaching is caused in part by toxins in many common sunscreens. As responsible tourists we can help by using non-toxic coral reef safe sunscreen.

Some sunscreens put high levels of harmful chemicals into the ocean, which can cause damage to coral reefs. The problem has gotten so bad in fact, that Hawaii has recently passed a bill banning the sale of sunscreen with coral reef harming chemicals.

Many of Hawaii’s most popular beaches see thousands of visitors each year. At the popular Hanauma Beach for example, an estimated 412 pounds of sunscreen can get deposited into the ocean each day! Be part of the solution and read on to discover how to find the best coral reef safe sunscreen.

Recent studies by the non-profit group Haereticus Environmental Laboratory (HAL) have shown toxic effects to coral reefs in as low as 62 parts per trillion (ppt) of oxybenzone. Some popular beaches in Hawaii have tested much higher than this. In November 2017 HAL and a group of volunteers studied oxybenzone levels at the popular Hanauma beach in Oahu, measuring levels they considered to pose a threat to coral and other marine life. [2]

Unfortunately, the same chemicals that are bad for coral reefs have also been shown to be harmful to humans. Avoiding sunscreens with coral reef harming chemicals such as oxybenzone [2] and octinoxate [3] may also help protect yourself from toxic chemicals. Below is a quick summary of which chemicals are most harmful to coral reefs, as well as humans, based on the sunscreen report from EWG [4]

Protect yourself and coral reefs from potentially harmful chemicals

Avoid:

Suncreeens that aren’t biodegradable
Products containing Oxybenzone [2] and Octinoxate [3]
Nano-particles which can harm coral reefs.

Favor

Natural sunscreen that uses physical minerals to block UV rays such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide instead of chemical ones.

Coral Reef Safe Sunscreen

The following list of coral reef safe sunscreen is based on my research and the EWG guide to safe sunscreen products [6]. To make the list, products have to be coral reef safe but they also have to work. I use the following criteria:

Reef-friendly
No toxic chemicals [5]
No nano-particles
Biodegradable
SPF 30 or greater broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection
Water resistant to at least 80 minutes.

All Good SPF 30 Sport Sunscreen

Reef-friendly, UVA/UVB broad spectrum protection, and water-resistant up to 80 minutes. Based on a 12% zinc-dioxide mineral formula, this non-nano sunscreen is also vegan and biodegradable.

Stream2Sea SPF 30 Sport Sunscreen

Reef-friendly, UVA/UVB broad spectrum protection, and water-resistant up to 80 minutes. Based on an 8.8% non-nano titanium dioxide mineral forumula, also contains an antioxidant blend of Green tea, tulsi, wakame, and olive leaf.

Badger SPF 35 Sport Sunscreen

Another great Badger product. This unscented, reef-friendly, mostly organic sunscreen has broad spectrum UVA/UVB coverage, and is water resistant up to 80 minutes. Based on mineral zinc oxide with an antioxidant-rich sunflower oil base.

Badger also makes a clear version of this same product. It contains clumped nano-particles that act like non-nano particles and is reef friendly and biodegradable.

SPF35 Clear Zinc Sport Sunscreen Cream – Unscented 2.9oz

Babo Botanicals SPF 30 Clear Zinc Sunscreen

Non-nano, fragrance-free, clear formula, offers UVA/UVB protection, and 80 minutes of water resistance! Good for super-sensitive skin, hypoallergenic, gluten free, and reef safe. Also featured on my One Bag Pack List post.

Think Sport SPF 50+ Sunscreen

Broad spectrum UVA/UVB, reef-safe, SPF 50 and water resistant to 80 minutes. One of the EWGs highest rates sunscreens is based on a 20% zinc-dioxide mineral formula.

Raw Elements SPF 30 Face + Body

Reef-safe, biodegradable, broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and water resistant to 80 minutes. Based on an all-natural, 94% organic 23% zinc oxide formula.

Suntegrity Natural Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen

Great for babies, kids, and people with sensitive skin. This unscented, reef-friendly, vegan, UVA/UVB broad spectrum sunscreen is based on a 20% non-nano uncoated zinc-oxide forumula.