12 Sunscreens That Will Keep Both You and the Reef Safe
Sunscreen is an important product. It keeps us safe. But when we slap on a layer, we shouldn’t just be thinking about protecting ourselves, we should also be thinking about protecting our coral reefs.
Typically, most sunscreens will contain two harmful chemicals: oxybenzone and octinoxate. Although these ingredients generally fly under the radar when it comes to affecting us, they can be extremely detrimental to marine life. When swimming in the ocean, the chemicals seep into the water and coat coral heads, stressing them out to the point where they become fatally bleached. These chemicals can even cause behavioural changes in the fish nearby.
Even if you’re not taking a dip in the sea, it’s important to remember that these products can be harmful from afar, too. Once you shower, the chemicals will filter right back into the water.
Each year about 14,000 tons of sunscreen ends up in our oceans. In Hawaii, high levels of these two dangerous chemicals were recorded at a number of their beaches and reefs. This May, they passed a bill banning the sale of sunscreens made with oxybenzone and octinoxate. They’re the very first state to do so, and while the law won’t go into effect until January 2021, we can start making smarter decisions right now.
Mineral-based sunscreens made with biodegradable chemicals like zinc oxide and titanium oxide are much safer for the environment and you still get the same protection.
Today is World Oceans Day. Let’s celebrate the seas with some safe alternatives!
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://fashionmagazine.com/beauty-grooming/safe-sunscreens/&title=12 Sunscreens That Will Keep Both You and the Reef Safe&picture=https://fashionmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/giphy.gif&description=Sunscreen is an important product. It keeps us safe. But when we slap on a layer, we shouldn't just be thinking about protecting ourselves, we should also be thinking about protecting our coral reefs.
Typically, most sunscreens will contain two harmful chemicals: oxybenzone and octinoxate. Although these ingredients generally fly under the radar when it comes to affecting us, they can be extremely detrimental to marine life. When swimming in the ocean, the chemicals seep into the water and coat coral heads, stressing them out to the point where they become fatally bleached. These chemicals can even cause behavioural changes in the fish nearby.
Even if you're not taking a dip in the sea, it's important to remember that these products can be harmful from afar, too. Once you shower, the chemicals will filter right back into the water.
Each year about 14,000 tons of sunscreen ends up in our oceans. In Hawaii, high levels of these two dangerous chemicals were recorded at a number of their beaches and reefs. This May, they passed a bill banning the sale of sunscreens made with oxybenzone and octinoxate. They're the very first state to do so, and while the law won't go into effect until January 2021, we can start making smarter decisions right now.
Mineral-based sunscreens made with biodegradable chemicals like zinc oxide and titanium oxide are much safer for the environment and you still get the same protection.
Today is World Oceans Day. Let's celebrate the seas with some safe alternatives!
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