June 12, 2018Sustainability
4 Reef-Safe Sunscreens That Protect Your Skin and the Environment
Our recipe for a dreamy summer day goes something like this: we find ourselves lounging on a pristine beach in a show-stopping swimsuit, armed with some sweet tunes, a piña colada or two, and plenty of sunscreen. Because we spend so much time soaking up Mother Nature’s good vibes, it’s especially important that we protect our skin from the harmful UV rays that go hand in hand with all that sweet summer sunshine.
Sunscreen is a key part of any beach babe’s beauty routine, but did you know that most popular sunscreen brands contain harsh chemicals that are harmful to marine wildlife and are contributing to the overall destruction of the coral reef? Oxybenzone, a chemical ingredient found in about 3,500 different sunscreens, absorbs UV rays and protects your skin from sun damage, but when your sunscreen washes off into the ocean it also damages coral DNA and contributes to coral bleaching, which occurs when the life-sustaining algae that normally lives on coral disappears due to changes in ocean temperature or pollution. Although the coral may not appear damaged, too much interaction with these toxic chemicals can result in coral that is unable to reproduce, or even dead. That being said, if a product you're slathering all over your body’s largest organ is killing the coral reef, just imagine what those chemicals are capable of doing to your skin - scary!
Oxybenzone is also damaging to sea urchins, fish, and mammals, and the issue has become urgent enough that parts of Mexico have banned the chemical outright. A Hawaii state senator has proposed a similar measure here in the US, but until it passes, it’s up to us to make sure that our day at the beach does as little damage to the ocean as possible. It's important to protect our skin, but every little step counts when it comes to protecting our oceans, our most precious natural resource.
Lucky for us, eco-conscious companies are taking matters into their own hands and formulating sunscreens that are easier on the environment, avoiding detrimental chemicals whenever possible. We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorites below, so you can slather them on stress-free and have fun in the sun all summer long.
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1) RAW ELEMENTS:
Developed by an ocean lifeguard, this certified all natural, organic, non-GMO sunscreen has a creamy consistency and a subtle earthy scent. Packed with natural antioxidants that keep your skin happy and healthy even after you get out of the sun, and available in a reusable/recyclable tin, this beloved sunscreen is developing a cult following in beach towns all over the country.
