10 Best Reef-Safe Sunscreens That Protect You and the Environment

There are few things more exciting than summer vacation. Whether you’re going paddle boarding at Sun Peaks Resort, scuba diving in Tulum, or anything in between, the warm temperatures, cool waters, and delicious drinks make for unforgettable memories.

Other than your quick-drying towel and beach hat, the other thing you absolutely have to bring with you is sunscreen. Obviously there are tons of options on the market with several different SPF ratings, but that’s not super important right now. What’s important is that a lot of the sunscreen we wear is harmful to marine ecosystems and coral reefs.

The issue is so serious that Hawaii governor David Ige signed a bill into law on July 3, 2018 banning the sale of over-the-counter sunscreens with octinoxate and oxybenzone. We need to make sure we’re not having fun at the expense of nature. The solution is simple. Instead of the “standard” brands we’re used to buying, we should focus on reef-safe sunscreen because it’s safer for our skin and the environment.

Our Top Choice: After extensive testing, we have concluded that the Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen is the best reef-safe sunscreen. It’s water-resistant, free of harmful chemicals, and trusted by dermatologists all over the world.

Quick Answer: Best Reef-Safe Sunscreens

Below is a list of the best chemical free sunscreens:

• Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen
• Manda Organic Sun Paste
• Thinksport Sunscreen
• All Good Organic Sunscreen Butter
• Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen
• Badger Unscented Sunscreen
• Stream2Sea Biodegradable Sunscreen
• Raw Elements Eco Sunscreen
• Coral Safe Biodegradable Sunscreen
• TotLogic Reef Safe Natural Sunscreen

Do Reef-Safe Sunscreens Even Work?

Quality reef-safe sunscreens work just as well as the sunscreens we’ve been used to buying for years. But like everything, there are pros and cons. The major pros are that it’s beneficial for the environment and for our skin as well. The catch is that these mineral-based sunscreens don’t blend as well into your skin as traditional sunscreens do, but that’s how they’re designed. They’re designed to sit on top of your skin and block UV rays, which also means you may have to apply it more frequently. But at the end of the day, the benefits reef-safe sunscreen brings to you and the environment outweigh the cons.

What to Look for in an Eco-Friendly Sunscreen

Whether this is your first time hearing about it or you’re already looking around for coral-safe sunscreen, there are a few things you should look for and others you should avoid…

1. Biodegradability

In biodegradable sunscreens, the typically-used synthetic ingredients are replaced by mostly plant-based, organic ingredients like green tea and seaweeds. These types of sunscreens are beneficial to the environment because they disintegrate much quicker than sunscreens with synthetic ingredients, which can take multiple years to disintegrate.

2. Mineral Sunscreens

Also known as physical sunscreens, mineral sunscreens work because tiny zinc oxide or titanium dioxide particles sit on your skin and physically block/reflect the sun’s rays to protect your skin from UV damage. Traditional sunscreens are referred to as chemical sunscreens, and they absorb UV rays and turn them into heat, which is then released through your skin.

Keep in mind that all mineral sunscreens are not reef-safe. You’ll want to read the ingredients list to make sure the zinc oxide or titanium dioxide is “non-nano” because particles smaller than 100 nanometers can be ingested by and harmful to corals.

3. Non-Nano Zinc Oxide

This is typically primary ingredient in reef-safe sunscreen. Just because a sunscreen says its “reef-safe”, “ocean-friendly”, or “biodegradable”, doesn’t mean it is. Be sure you read the ingredients on the tube or tin before purchasing your sunscreen. But buying a sunscreen with non-nano zinc oxide is usually a great start. Some national parks have even started checking to make sure visitors have eco-friendly sunscreen.

4. Vitamins, Minerals, Etc.

While the primary ingredients are important, the other ingredients can help a lot with moisturizing. Sunscreens with things like Vitamin E or lavender will not only protect your skin, but keep it moisturized as well.

5. Water Resistance

This is a huge deal if you’ll be doing any water activities. It’s estimated that every year up to 14,000 tons of sunscreen wash off of our skin and get into the ocean and coral reefs.

Things to Avoid!

1. Oxybenzone

This is the number one ingredient you should avoid. Titanium oxide and zinc oxide are also dangerous ingredients you should do your best to avoid. These three chemicals have been found to quicken the production of hydrogen peroxide, which is known to kill plankton. Plankton is a food source for corals and other animals higher up on the food chain.

Titanium oxide and zinc oxide are usually mixed as nanoparticles. These nanoparticles clog the pores of corals and eventually prevent them from getting the sunlight they need, which means they can’t receive the nourishment they need.

2. Parabens

Parabens are synthetic preservatives that help to preserve the shelf life of a variety of products like sunscreens, shampoos, and other cosmetics. Parabens can act like hormones in the body and interrupt functions of the endocrine system. This is significant for you because parabens are believed to increase the risk of breast cancer, negatively impact the male reproductive system, and lead to early puberty in children. A sunscreen with no parabens will be better for you and the ocean.

3. Other Chemicals

Octocrylene, Octinoxate, triclosan, and PABA octocrylene, are some of the chemicals you should avoid in sunscreen. Unfortunately, you almost need have a PHD in chemistry to read ingredient labels nowadays. So, to make your search for the best reef-safe sunscreen a little easier, check for sunscreens that say reef-safe sunscreen or coral-friendly/safe.

Best Reef-Safe Sunscreen Reviews

So which reef-safe sunscreen is the absolute best? It’s hard to say; it depends on things like your skin sensitivity, if you plan to get wet, etc. Check out our favorites below to see which one will fit you best.

Now that you know how to have a blast this summer and not damage the environment with sunscreen, the only thing left to do is toss it in your travel bag and get going!