Coral Reef Friendly / Reef Safe Sunscreen

A sunscreen ranging from 6,000 to 14,000 tons a year brings swimmers, divers and divers to the coral reef environment. Contamination of more sunscreen may reach coastal areas through drainage. As many as 10% of the world's coral reefs are threatened with certain chemicals contained in most sunscreens.

Four common sunscreen ingredients have been shown to kill corals and bleach at very low concentrations (up to 1 drop in 5 Olympic size pools).

Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3, BP-3) - A sunscreen component that destroys coral propagation, fades coral and damages coral DNA. Oxybenzone is contained in over 3,500 sunscreen products worldwide.

4-Methylbenzylidene camphor (4MBC) - sunscreen ingredients have been shown to cause fading of corals. It is permitted in Europe and Canada, but it is not permitted in the USA or Japan

Haereticus Environmental Laboratory is investigating the effects of sunscreen and other personal care ingredients on sunscreen and other ecosystems and wildlife. The list of ingredients they consider to be environmental pollutants include:

Global warming, pollution, and other human activities are an even greater threat to the survival of coral reefs. To swim, diving, snorkeling near coral reefs, you need to use sunscreens that are friendly to coral reefs or safe for coral reefs. How do you know if sunscreen is safe for coral reefs?

We display active ingredients and ineffective ingredients on sunscreen labels. Do not use sunscreen containing oxybenzone or other ingredients as above proved to harm corals. We recommend that National Park Service, PADI (Underwater Instructor of Professional Association), and many ecotourism operators (including Mexican Coral Reef Park) avoid sunscreens by oxybenzone and use mineral based sunscreen . Protect coral reefs

Alternatively, the Reef Friendly statement on sunscreen labels is not regulated and may not be meaningful. You really have to look at ingredients and judge for yourself.

Please use a waterproof sunscreen which is easy to stay in the skin and water. Waterproof requirements are regulated by the FDA. Learn more about waterproof sunscreen

Use a biodegradable sunscreen to ensure that the product is degraded in the marine environment. Since this statement is under regulation it may be necessary to contact the company to confirm its claim. Biodegradable sunscreen details

Please use common sense before reaching the sun block. Cover yourself with a hat and shirt (or a rash shield in the water) and look for awnings at the peak

The badger's sunscreen does not contain ingredients that may be harmful to the coral. Most things are water resistant.

The only active ingredient in each of our sunscreens is mineral zinc oxide. It has been used for skin care for thousands of years, and it is the same ingredient used for diaper cream, calamine lotion and toothpaste. Unlike oxybenzone and other sunscreen ingredients, there is no evidence that zinc oxide can harm corals. It is a powder mineral that is not soluble in sea water but is a part of the sediment at the bottom of the ocean. Learn more about zinc oxide

Our inactive ingredients (77-88%) for waterproof sunscreen are USDA organic vegetable oils, beeswax, and vitamin E. They are biodegradable and safe for all environments or ecosystems.

But there is still controversy about the evidence that sunscreen agents affect coral reefs and whether consumers should rely on 'coral-friendly' consumers. According to Cinzia Corinaldesi, a marine ecologist who has been studying the impact of sunscreens on coral reef since 2003, the problem is that "Oxybenzone is not the only harmful component of sunscreen" unfortunately. Impact of coral fading - ban does not affect preventing these things

Global warming, pollution, and other human activities are an even greater threat to the survival of coral reefs. To swim, diving, snorkeling near coral reefs, you need to use sunscreens that are friendly to coral reefs or safe for coral reefs. How do you know if sunscreen is safe for coral reefs? We display active ingredients and ineffective ingredients on sunscreen labels. Do not use sunscreen containing oxybenzone or other ingredients as above proved to harm corals. We recommend that National Park Service, PADI (Underwater Instructor of Professional Association), and many ecotourism operators (including Mexican Coral Reef Park) avoid sunscreens by oxybenzone and use mineral based sunscreen . Protect coral reefs