Reef safe sunscreen refers to sunscreens that do not contain chemicals that have been connected to coral reef deterioration, such as oxybenzone and octinoxate. Instead, they use physical UVA and UVB filters, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which form a physical block to shield skin from absorbing any rays. Mineral-based sunscreens that use titanium dioxide or zinc oxide to reflect the suns rays are much less likely to harm coral reefs and the biodiversity they support. However, the term "reef safe" is not regulated, so its important to check the active ingredients label on the back of your sunscreen or personal care product to ensure that reef-harming chemicals are not included. Additionally, the size of minerals can also have an impact, so its recommended to use micro-sized (or non-nano) mineral sunscreens to avoid nanoparticles, as these smaller particles can be toxic in high concentrations. To summarize, reef safe sunscreen:
- Does not contain oxybenzone and octinoxate.
- Uses physical UVA and UVB filters, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
- Mineral-based sunscreens that use titanium dioxide or zinc oxide to reflect the suns rays are much less likely to harm coral reefs and the biodiversity they support.
- The term "reef safe" is not regulated, so its important to check the active ingredients label on the back of your sunscreen or personal care product to ensure that reef-harming chemicals are not included.
- Its recommended to use micro-sized (or non-nano) mineral sunscreens to avoid nanoparticles, as these smaller particles can be toxic in high concentrations.
