Guide to reef-friendly sunscreens

A big concern among ocean scientists and beachgoers is the impact that chemical sunscreens are having on the marine environment. This has led to bans on the sale and use of chemical sunscreens in states and island communities such as Hawaii, U.S. Virgin Islands and Aruba.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended removing all chemical sunscreen ingredients from their list of “safe and effective” ingredients due to concerns about human health risks. Also, there has been a surge in the production of “reef-friendly” sunscreens — but what does that actually mean, and how safe are these sunscreens to the marine environment?

Mineral-based sunscreen is often used as a reef-friendly option as an alternative to chemical-based sunscreens. While mineral-based sunscreens are better for the marine environment than sunscreens that contain toxic chemicals, such as oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene, there are still risks associated with their use. The most common active ingredients in mineral sunscreens are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

How do I know if a sunscreen is “reef friendly”?

Beware! Unfortunately the terms “reef friendly” and “reef safe” are not regulated, so you can’t always trust products with this description. It’s important to check the “active ingredients” label on the back of your sunscreen or personal care product to ensure that reef-harming chemicals are not included.

The size of minerals can also have an impact. Be sure to use micro-sized (or “non-nano”) mineral sunscreens to avoid nanoparticles, as these smaller particles can be toxic in high concentrations.

It’s also advised to stick with lotions and avoid spray or misting sunscreens, especially those that contain titanium dioxide as it may be harmful to your health if inhaled. Finally, it’s always good to use products that cut back on single-use plastic packaging, either by using containers that are reusable, have high recycled content or are made out of minimally processed plant-based materials.

Check the label on the sunscreen! Make sure your sunscreen does not contain the following harmful substances, including those on the Haereticus Environmental Lab list:

• Oxybenzone
• Avobenzone
• Octinoxate
• Octocrylene
• 4-methylbenzylidene camphor
• PABA
• Parabens
• Triclosan
• Nanoparticles or “nano-sized” zinc or titanium
• Any form of microplastic, such as “exfoliating beads”

Avoid chemical-based sunscreens and choose non-nano mineral based sunscreens instead. In addition to concerns about chemical sunscreens negatively impacting coral reefs, the FDA has recently proposed removing all over-the-counter chemical sunscreen ingredients (including avobenzone, octisalate, homosalate and more) due to the potential for adverse human health impacts during use.

Sun Protection Alternatives
Sun management will help limit exposure to harmful UVB and UVA rays. Even mineral-based sunscreens can negatively impact fish and coral reefs at high concentrations. The best thing we can do is limit products when recreating in high-use areas. Effective sun protection methods include a balance of:
• Avoiding sun exposure during peak sun hours, when possible
• Covering up with hats and clothing
• Using a more reef-friendly sunscreen. REN Clean Screen Mineral Sunscreen, Manda, Avasol, Raw Elements and Bare Republic are among the brands considered “reef safe.”

Spread the word

It’s also important to spread awareness about the issue to friends, family, customers and community members.
In 2018, Hawaii passed the first ever statewide ban on oxybenzone and octinoxate sunscreens. Soon after, island nations including Palau, Bonaire and Aruba followed suit.

Ensure that your store and neighboring stores are offering “reef-friendly” sunscreen products. You can also advocate for local legislation that bans the sale and use of toxic sunscreens.

Katie Day, Surfrider Foundation’s senior manager of science and policy, helps to ensure that campaigns are thoughtfully planned and supported by accurate scientific literature.