Looking for the perfect ocean-friendly sunscreen this summer?
but confused by the options?
Grab the Reef-Safe Sunscreen Cheatsheet and find your new summer favorite!
Whether you are a surfer looking for a thick paste to stand up to hours in the water, or you want a lightweight spray option for everyday use—this quick cheatsheet will help you find the right sunscreen option for you.
Reef-safe sunscreen 101
Why should I choose reef-safe or ocean-friendly sunscreen?
Traditional sunscreens contain chemicals that can be harmful to you and the ocean. In fact, tiny amounts of the chemicals found in sunscreens can kill corals.
Hawaii just banned the use of traditional sunscreens to help protect their precious ocean environment.
Safer Ingredients: Physical sunscreens use Zinc Oxide, which doesn’t get absorbed by your skin and is safer for marine animals.
Learn more about reef-safe sunscreens here:
Organic
Many of these brands also use delicious organic ingredients like coconut oil, beeswax, and shea butter.
Tinted?
Zinc oxide can leave your face looking a little pale. Some brands now have tinted varieties to give you back some color!
Lotion, paste, stick or spray?
Whatever you prefer, there is one that meets your needs.
AVOID!!
Avoid sunscreens with oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, and octinoxate.
Non-Nano
Non-Nano refers to the size of the Zinc Oxide particles. Nanoparticles are super small—and can be eaten by corals. Non-nano sunscreens use bigger particles and safer for the oceans.
Eco-friendly packaging?
Plastic pollution is another major problem facing the oceans. Some brands are using reusable or biodegradable packaging for their sunscreens to reduce their impact.
Looking for the perfect Reef-Safe sunscreen?
Grab the FREE cheatsheet!