A Guide to Sustainable Sunscreen

Coral Reefs are nature’s most biodiverse ecosystems, being home to one quarter of all marine life. These ecosystems have stood the test of time– many of the reefs we see today have existed for over five thousands years. After thriving for millennia, a new threat has been posed to these unique ecosystems: sunscreen.

Something as seemingly insignificant as the brand of SPF you choose, could affect the fate of their survival.

Chemicals in Sunscreen to Watch Out For

Truthfully, most sunscreen doesn’t stay on your skin— especially when you’re in the water.

An estimated 14,000 tons of sunscreen end up in the ocean every year!

So what’s so terrible about sunscreen getting in the water? It comes down to a few problematic chemicals.

Oxybenzone, octinoxate, and avobenzone are all detrimental to marine life and are all common ingredients found in sunscreen.

This is by no means the full list of ocean-harming chemicals found in sunscreen, but remembering to avoid these names when turning over a sunscreen bottle to read the ingredients— is a good place to start.

I mean don’t they just sound toxic?

These chemicals can be detrimental to marine life by prohibiting growth, negatively affecting reproduction, and building up in tissues.

They are notorious for their tendency to bleach coral— turning bright oranges, yellows, and pinks to a stark white color.

While coral bleaching is by far the most talked about, the ocean damages these chemicals are capable of, go much further.

Just as Oxybenzone and other sunscreen chemicals block UV rays from reaching your skin, they also block sunlight from reaching ecosystems.

This can prohibit photosynthesis and stop algae growth, consequently putting other ecosystem players at risk.

These chemicals also damage the immune and reproductive systems of many marine species, from low-food-chain critters to large marine mammals like dolphins.

Recent studies have even found that these chemicals can cause female characteristics in male fish, negatively impacting reproduction rates.

What initiatives for reef safe sunscreen exist?

In the midst of an ocean crisis– there is hope.

In 2018, Hawaii passed a bill commonly known as the “Sunscreen Pollution Ban” prohibiting the sale and distribution of sunscreens containing oxybenzone or octinoxate.

After a success with the first ban, Hawaii took legislative action once again, passing a bill in 2023, banning the sale and distribution of sunscreens containing avobenzone or octocrylene– more coral-killing chemicals.

The state has also implemented free reef-safe sunscreen dispensers at many public beaches, accompanied by signs to educate tourists on the harmful effects of these chemicals.

Aside from Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Key West, Aruba, Palau, and the Caribbean Island of Bonaire, have all taken legal action to protect their coral reefs, each having passed laws to prohibit the use of these harmful chemicals.

5 Sunscreen Brands that are Good for you & the Environment

When choosing sunscreen— Zinc oxide and Titanium dioxide based sunscreens are the way to go.

These naturally occurring minerals work as a physical blocker to the sun, rather than a chemical one, making them a safer option for your body and the ocean.

These mineral based sun protectants sit on top of your skin like a blanket, rather than seeping into your skin tissue like their chemical-based counterparts.

Here is a list of the best mineral sunscreens to replace your lotion, face stick, and spray sunscreens:

Blue Lizard - Blue Lizard’s non-tinted zinc lotion is completely mineral based, and makes for a good option if you want to avoid the chalky white cast zinc is best known for. Its 80 minutes of water resistancy make it a good choice for surfers, and the sports line is recommended for the active crew.

Buy it Here: Blue Lizard Sport Mineral Sunscreen

Avasol Sunscreen Stick - This sunscreen stick is not only super convenient, but also reef safe! It’s the perfect pocket-sized sun protector, and one swipe of it under your eyes and over your nose prohibits the nose-bridge-burn that is often a side effect of a long surfday. It’s available in four shades for different skin tones, and comes in biodegradable cardboard packaging!

Buy it Here: Surfers Barrier Stick

All good Spray Sunscreen: Just like their name, All Good is good all around! For you, your skin, and the ocean! We all agree that spray is the most convenient way to apply sunscreen, but more of it ends up in the sand or water than on your skin— making mineral spray sunscreen a vital alternative.

Buy it here: All good spray sunscreen

Zinka - That white stripe across the nose bridge and under the eyes has long been an iconic surfer look. Zinka’s opaque zinc-based face sunscreen, will give you just that. It also comes in more than 10 colors, if you’re feeling fun.

Buy it here: Zinka Nosecoat

Australian Gold - Australian gold is also a pure zinc sunscreen with a skin tint. If you’re not going for the stereotypical lifeguard white stripe across the nose, this is a good option for you. Notably the second Australian Brand on the list, but I mean leave it to the Australians to make good sunscreen right?

Buy it Here: Australian Gold SPF 50