Sunscreen 101: Safeguard Your Skin and Support Coral Reefs
With summer in full swing and beach trips on the rise, choosing the right sunscreen is more important than ever. In celebration of Coral Reef Awareness Week (observed from July 15 through the 21), we're sharing tips on how to pick sunscreens that protect both your skin and our precious coral reefs.
Understanding Sunscreen Ingredients: Which Ingredients Should Be Avoided to Protect Coral Reefs, and Why?
When choosing a sunscreen, the main harmful chemical ingredients you should avoid are octinoxate, octocrylene, oxybenzone, benzophenone-8, octyl-dimethyl, and para-aminobenzoic acid.
Physical blockers like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are safe unless they are in nanoparticle form.
You should also avoid 4-methylbenzylidene camphor and 3-benzylidene camphor, which are not approved by the FDA in the US.
According to controlled research, these ingredients can bleach coral reefs, causing them to expel the algae they rely on and leading to coral death.
Recommended Reef-safe Sunscreens: Are There Specific Brands or Types of Sunscreen That I Should Use?
The optimal sunscreen for protecting your skin against skin cancer and coral reefs is a mineral sunscreen containing non-nano zinc oxide and non-nano titanium dioxide.
Among the brands that prioritize safe ingredients for coral reefs are Neutrogena's Zinc Sheer, Project Reef, Babo Botanicals, Anthelios Mineral Sunscreen (with the “Committed to Respect Marine Life” seal), Sun Bum, Raw Elements, Badger and All Good.
Application Tips: Best Practices for Applying Sunscreen Effectively While Minimizing Environmental Impact.
Minimize Sunscreen Use:
Whenever possible, wear sun-protective clothing to reduce the use of sunscreen while swimming in coral reef waters.
Apply Sparingly:
Apply sunscreen only to exposed areas of the skin to minimize the quantity that goes into the water.
Reapply Wisely:
Reapply your sunscreen if you have been exposed to the sun for a period longer than two hours, or after coming out of the water, to maintain protection.
General Skin Protection Advice for Maintaining Healthy Skin During the Summer Months:
Seek shade as much as possible when outdoors, including in the water. Wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses, and avoid being out in the sun and swimming during peak sunlight hours, typically between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
This article was written by dermatologist Lilia Correa, MD.
