No matter what beach you’re about to hit, it’s important to have a safe and effective form of sunscreen tucked in your day bag or vehicle trunk. What you might not know is that not every sunscreen is the same. There is little regulation of sunscreens, which means some of them can be harmful – to people and the environment. That’s why it’s important to do your research and buy the best biodegradable sunscreen you can find!
Some sunscreens are worse than others. Research shows that some types of sunscreen can cause threat to the ocean, especially if you’re hanging out near any coral reefs. If you haven’t checked the ingredient list on your favorite sunscreen, you should do it. If you see the ingredient “oxybenzone,” you need to choose something else if you’ll be near any reefs this summer.
A study from 2015 shows that oxybenzone can cause poisoning to reefs and contributes to harmful bleaching. It can also cause young corals to grow up deformed, because it has an effect on how the reef grows and reproduces. As such, Hawaii is the first state that may ban sunscreens that contain this substance. It simply isn’t safe for ocean life.
When you want to do your part to avoid contaminating our beautiful oceans, you want to start with a good sunscreen. Some sunscreens claim to be “reef friendly” but don’t go into any detail on what that means. With little regulation, it’s up to you as the consumer to determine if the promise is true.
You want to look for the best biodegradable sunscreen you can find to avoid causing ocean problems while enjoying the beach. One thing to look for is the Protect Lant + Sea seal. This shows that the sunscreen has been tested and is free of many harmful substances, like zinc oxide, microplastic beads, octocrylene, and more.
Buying a sunscreen with a simple formula is also a great idea. Even oils like lavender and eucalyptus can cause harm to ocean invertebrates. Take the time to look at the ingredients. And while you’re at it, avoid aerosol options. These are worse for reefs than any other type of sunscreen.
Tropical Seas offers a number of excellent products that are proven to be non-toxic to sea life and coral safe. We also offer sun survival kits, tanning products, and fun apparel and decals. You can find out more by reaching out to us by telephone at 800-368-SEAS.
