8/30/2023 0 Comments Best safe sunscreenthe reproductive system and thyroid health. Not to mention this ingredient has been linked to disrupting hormonal activity in humans as well, i.e. Bleaching has also been particularly prevalent in recent years due to rising sea temperatures. Hawaii has banned these two ingredients because of their harmful effects on the coral reef, specifically they cause bleaching. The worst of the bunch… Oxybenzone and octinoxate. Potentially Harmful Ingredients You Want To Avoid In Sunscreen again, sunscreen is obviously not the only cause leading to coral reef damage, using sunscreen that is free of harmful ingredients such as those listed below, is one simple way you can help protect coral reefs and aquatic life. And, while there is no one single solution when it comes to protecting them, i.e. These chemicals impair the growth and photosynthesis of plants and algae. Unfortunately, sunscreen ingredients have also been found to adversely affect other marine life. Without these algae, the coral “bleaches” (turns white), and often dies.”Ī separate study, published in the journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, shares Consumer Reports, also found that “baby coral exposed to oxybenzone exhibited signs of distress, including coral bleaching, a condition that leaves coral vulnerable to infection and prevents it from getting the nutrients it needs to survive.” The coral then becomes sick and expel their life-giving algae. “Researchers testing the effects of sunscreen on corals,” reports the National Park Service, explain that chemicals in sunscreen, such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, “can awaken coral viruses. So please note, I am not advocating that reef-safe sunscreen is the one and only solution to saving our reefs!īut, as shares the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, scientists have discovered that certain chemical ingredients found in our sunscreen products are also harming the coral on our reefs. There are numerous reasons as to why our coral reefs are being threatened - climate change, unsustainable fishing, land-based pollution, coastal development, disease, and invasive species. According to Be Reef Safe, it is estimated that more than 60% of the world’s coral reefs are at risk. It is estimated that every year, anywhere between 4,000 and 6,000 tons (!) of sunscreen washes into our oceans and deposits in coral reef areas, with the greatest damage found in popular reef areas in Hawaii and the Caribbean. Bonus if its packaged in eco-friendly materials, too.īelow I’ve included a list of non toxic and “reef-safe” sunscreen brands you might consider trying out.īut first, a few facts. While conventional sunscreen is better than no sunscreen at all, I personally prefer using non toxic sunscreen brands whenever possible. (For more specific sun protection, see our guides to the best ones for lips, face, and children we’ve even got some picks for bald heads.Is sunscreen part of your everyday skincare routine? If it’s not, maybe it’s time to consider adding it to your morning repertoire. Below, we’ve curated a list of the best natural sunscreens we’ve written about, all of which contain at least one of the key ingredients and are SPF 30 or greater. While these formulations have gotten a bad rap for leaving a chalky or pasty residue, we found some standouts that blend in without a trace - and come recommended by board-certified dermatologists, celebrities, and makeup artists, plus our own writers and editors. These minerals are considered more environmentally safe than those used in most chemical sunblocks, which can create an “oil-slick-type situation that suffocates, bleaches, and kills reefs,” says Ashlee Piper, a sustainability expert and the author of Give a Sh*t: Do Good. Downs, an ecotoxicologist and executive director of the Haereticus Environmental Laboratory. The latter contains titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, which act as a physical barrier between your skin and the sun, says Craig A. It comes in two main forms: chemical and natural. Fayne Frey, a New York–based dermatologist and the author of The Skincare Hoax. In fact, it should be a daily step in your routine - regardless of the weather - because it “protects the skin from sun damage and skin cancer,” says Dr. Sunscreen should be more than just a last-minute addition to your beach bag. Photo-Illustration: The Strategist Photos: Retailers
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