While planning a sailing trip to the Abacos (Bahamas), I heard that certain types of sunscreen might damage the reef so I wondered if this was voluntary or a requirement and if in fact the sunscreen really did hurt the reef. I did a lot of research. This is what I learned.
Do You Need to Use Reef Safe Sunscreen When Snorkeling? Some snorkeling destinations like Hawaii are requiring swimmers and snorkelers to use reef safe sunscreen when snorkeling, and although evidence does show that certain sunscreens at high concentrations may contribute to reef bleaching, not all areas require you to wear it.
Junk Science and Fake News VS Real Potential
When I first heard of this push for special sunscreen, I wondered if this was for real or if it was something made up or spun and exaggerated to sell us more expensive sunscreen. My next thought was that the ocean is so large that any small amount of sunscreen that comes off our skin in the water will be massively diluted with an almost un-noticeable impact to anything. Instead of accepting the reef damaging pushers or denying that there can be no affect, I decided to do more research.
Melanoma and Sunscreen
As a melanoma cancer survivor and ocean lover, I depend on long sleeved shirts and sunscreen for not only sunburn prevention but life preservation. I won’t bore you too much about skin cancer, but my quick public service message is that sun exposure, and especially sun burn is bad for your skin and too much can lead to skin cancer. My dermatologist believes that my melanoma was most likely caused by skin damage (sun burn) from when I was a child. Wear sunscreen when in the sun. Make sure your children and grandchildren wear sunscreen, wear hats and cover up as much as possible. Prevent skin cancer. End of my public service announcement.
Why the Reef is Important
Anyone who has been scuba diving, free diving and/or snorkeling has seen how amazing the reef system is. It provides food and cover for many marine creatures. It provides a great place to dive and observe the amazing world under the sea. It also helps to protect the land and beaches from erosion and helps to protect harbors from rough seas.
The Reef is Disappearing
In reef systems throughout the world, the coral is dying. Many have experienced bleaching which is believed to be cause from warmer waters, pollution and commercial fishing and tourism. Read on, I’ll explain more about the science, but first, I’ll point out that according to sources including Forbes Magazine, The Great Barrier Reef off Australia’s coast has lost half of its reef since 2016. The Great Barrier Reef is the most significant reef system in the world. This isn’t the only reef that is being affected. Coral in the Caribbean, Bahamas, Hawaii, Mexico, South Pacific and many other places have seen similar results. Ok, but what does my sunscreen have to do with this phenomenon?
Why Sunscreen is a Problem
A major challenge when wearing sunscreen is keeping it on your skin. Sweat and water are of our worst enemies when trying to keep our sunscreen intact. In short, the sunscreen washes and rubs off from sweat out of the water and wears off while we are in the water.
Once in the water, the minerals from these sunscreens catalyze the production of hydrogen peroxide, a bleaching agent, at a high enough concentration to hurt marine life especially on busy beaches and in popular tourist destinations.
Two Major Categories of Sunscreen; Physical and Chemical
There are two major categories of sunscreen that are currently available. One is physical and the other is chemical. The physical sunscreens act as a shield to deflect the UV rays of the sun. You apply the sunscreen to your skin and it acts like invisible armor and not allowing the sun’s rays to reach your skin.
The second type of sunscreen is chemical. Chemical sunscreens use synthetic compounds to absorb the UV rays before they cause damage to the skin.
Nano VS Non-nano Sunscreen
Nano sunscreen is made up of tiny, microscopic particles. It’s benefit is that it goes on silky smooth. Non-nano sunscreen is just what its name suggests, sunscreen made up of larger particles.
How Does it Affect the Coral?
So the theory is that the non-nano is better for the reef and that that nano particles may be absorbed in the skin and lungs (spray or mist) and cause hormonal and other health issues in humans. The non-nano particles when rubbed or washed off in the water will fall to the ocean floor and not be absorbed by the reef.
Sunscreen Ingredients to Avoid
Oxybenzone (BP-3)and octinoxate are two ingredients used in many name brand, popular sunscreens that have been found to damage the reef by bleaching, deforming and DNA destruction to by reducing the reefs ability to defend against these issues.
The Science and Studies
A 2013 study by the National Center for Coastal Ocean Science (NOAA), found that BP-3 is toxic to marine life and coral reef. According to C.A. Downs, one of the researchers, “although pollution is a major cause of coral reef degradation and is the easiest factor to mitigate, BP-3 as a pollutant has been largely ignored.
A study by Lancaster University from 1998 to 2016 of a reef system in Seychelles showed that after a major bleaching of the reef, seaweed quickly filled in where the reef died off, which changed marine life in the area. The snapper and grouper went away and were replaced by herbivores like butterfly fish and clamshell fish, changing the ocean eco system.
Almost as much as oxybenzone and octinoxate help humans, it can similarly harm the reef. A 2015 studyhas shown that one drop of one or these chemicals in the equivalent to 16 olympic size swimming pools, can affect the reef. Hawaii has recorded many times this amount in some of its popular swimming destinations which are near fragile reef systems.
Some Good News
There is some good news, however. After the bleaching period, some of the reef did grow back, but only small portions of it and over a 18 year period. There is evidence that bleaching periods are happening more often as quickly as ten years. It is believed that the banned substances can contribute to other, natural causes.
More Science, Studies and a Published Source
Another study, published in the Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology in 2016 found that oxybenzone or BP-3 is toxic to young coral and other marine life. BP-3, in addition to being found in sunscreen is found in approximately 3,500 skin care products. The study showed that it can cause bleaching, DNA damage, abnormal growth and deformed baby coral.
Is Reef Unfriendly Sunscreen Harmful to Humans?
The United States Food and Drug Association (FDA) has studied and has found sunscreen containing the banned substances safe for human use. This position is backed up by the American Academy of Dermatology.
On the other hand, advocacy groups like the Environmental Working Group claims that the banned ingredients may cause hormone disruptions and allergic skin reactions in humans. Further, it is believed that the banned Hawaiian sunscreen ingredients may harm sea turtles, algae, oysters, crayfish, mussels and dolphins as toxic levels have been found in these creatures, breast milk and eggs.
Locations with Reef Harming Sunscreen Bans
Hawaii USA
Tourism in Hawaii is a major industry. Each year millions of tourists flock to Hawaii and spend upwards of 16 billion dollars. Hawaii’s coral reef is an important part of not only its eco system, but also a major part of the tourist industry. In an effort to keep the reef healthy and protect it for the millions of tourists that visit each year, Hawaii’s legislature passed a ban on oxybenzone and octinoxate starting in 2021. Its retailers have already started ramping up for this ban by supplying sunscreens without these harmful substances.
Key West, Florida USA
Florida has the only coral reef in the continental United States. Following Hawaii’s ban on sunscreens containing oxtinoxate and oxybenzone, starting in 2021, Key West will also ban sunscreens with the reef harming ingredients.
Bonaire, Caribbean
According to some scientists, it is believed that coral reefs have diminished by 50% since the 1980’s. In order to slow down the destruction of the reefs, the Caribbean Island of Bonaire voted to ban reef harming sunscreens by 2021.
Palau, archipelago in South Pacific
Palau is the first country to ban the reef harming sunscreens. Its ban will take place in 2020. Companies caught selling the product, may get fined $1,000 per occurrence. Tourists bringing the sunscreens into the country will face losing their sunscreen.
US Virgin Islands
The legislature in the US Virgin Islands have passed a measure to ban the sale, import and distribution of sunscreens that contain oxtinoxate and oxybenzone. The measure will take effect in March of 2020 when the governor signs it into law.
Mexico (not an official ban)
Although not officially banned by the Mexican government, many popular tourist destination and resorts through Mexico are asking tourists and guests to use natural sunscreens and reef saving sunscreens.
Other Locations with Bans
As of the writing of this blog, numerous countries and tourist locations are considering bans on certain sunscreen that may be contributing to the destruction of the reefs throughout the world and especially in popular beach and tourist locations. As the Hawaii ban and the Palau ban and the Key West Ban go into effect and more studies are conducted, more bans are expected.
Reef Safe Sunscreen Alternatives
Not all sunscreens that are advertised to be natural are reef friendly. Look for reef friendly sunscreens that contain the ingredients zink oxide and titanium dioxide. Try to avoid all aerosol sunscreens as most of them do contain the reef harming chemicals and preservatives that can harm the reef.
Reef Saving Sunscreen Products
Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion. SPF 30. Blocks UVA and UVB. Contains non-nano zinc oxide and California Poppy. No oily residue.
$39 / 6 oz
Babo Botanicals. Sheer Zinc Sunscreen. SPF 30. Extra sensitive. Fragrence Free.
$9 / 6 oz
Cola Mineral Sun Silk Creme. Non-nano Zinc with niacinamide. SPF 30. 70% organic.
$42 / 1.5 oz
Love Sun Body. 100% naturally derived ingrediences including non-nano zinc and titanium oxide. SPF 50. Fragrence-Free..
$32 /
Honest Mineral Sunscreen Spray. Non-nano Zinc Oxide Mist. SPF 30. Non good on dark fabrics. May stain.
$14 / 6 oz
Ren Clean Screen Mattifying Face Sunscreen. SPF 30.
$36 / 1.7 oz
Sun Bum Face Lotion. No Octinate or oxybenzone. SPC 50. Water resistant.
$13 / 3 oz
Sundaze C-Shells. Non-nano formula. SPF 30. Daily Mineral Face Sunscreen.
$30 / 2 oz
Kari Gran Three Sixty Five. SPF 28. Made to wear every day.
$75 / 50 ml
Badger Clear Zinc Sunscreen Cream. Clear Zinc. SPF 30. Popular with surfers.
$15 / 2.9 oz
Okua Sun Care Hawaiian Natural Zinc Sunscreen SPF 50/80 Minutes Water Resistance
$ 29.99 / 2.9 oz
Thinksport Zinc Oxide. Sunscreen SPF 50+ / 80 Minutes
$21.39 / 6.1 oz
Raw Elements Certified Natural Sunscreen. Non-Nano Zinc Oxide, 95% Organic, Very Water Resistant, Reef Safe, Non-GMO, Cruelty Free, SPF 30+, All Ages Safe, Moisturizing
$33.98 / 6 oz (2 pack; 3 oz ea.)
All Good SPF 30 Sport Sunscreen Lotion, Water Resistant, Non-Greasy
$43.99 / 9 oz (3 pack; 3 oz ea.)
**Prices are approximate and may vary.
Best Way to Protect Yourself and the Ocean
The best way to protect yourself and the ocean is to stay home. Don’t go outside and don’t swim in the ocean. Just kidding. The best way protect yourself from the sun while minimizing your impact on the ocean is to simply cover up.
Wear a hat and long sleeve rash guard. Leave only a little skin exposed. Putting on sunscreen on your hands, face and neck is much better and requires much less sunscreen and much less sunscreen potentially washing off in the water to potentially harm the reef.
Buy Before you Travel
Going on vacation? Many reef friendly sunscreens are pricey. That same natural or reef friendly sunscreen at a popular tourist destination or hotel will be even more expensive. Don’t forget to buy it before you leave home.