Did you know that huge areas of the world’s coral populations are at risk and that sun creams may be playing a part in this?[i]
But how to tell if your sunscreen is coral reef-safe? Discover tips for choosing the best reef-safe sunscreen for your skin type as we reveal how to spot whether your sunscreen is ocean-friendly.
What is reef-safe sunscreen?
Popular with swimmers, surfers and eco-conscious consumers, reef-safe sunscreens are the sea-friendly way to shield your skin from sun damage.
Often mineral and typically formulated without PFAS (forever chemicals) or Oxybenzone and Oxybenzoate (two chemicals known to cause harm to coral populations), reef-friendly sunscreens are considered a safer choice for protecting ocean health.
Here is our #1 best-selling reef-safe sunscreen:
Scent Free Sun Cream SPF30 200ml
Protect sensitive skin naturally with our best-selling SPF30 sun cream
£32.50
Why is reef-safe sunscreen so important?
No sunscreen is 100% water repellent, meaning tonnes of sunscreen enter the sea yearly.
If the sunscreen contains chemicals known to bleach (kill) coral, such as Oxybenzone, it could contribute to the decline of the world's reef populations, which are already threatened by sea tourism, sea pollution, overfishing and rising water temperatures.
Without coral, some species of marine life will lose their habitat and may struggle to survive. The world also loses an essential producer of oxygen, which is needed to help keep our sea temperature levels stable.
Shocking statistics:
- It’s thought that 10% of the world's coral reef areas are under threat from sunscreen ingredients[ii]
- 20,000 tonnes of sunscreen are thought to be washed into the northern Mediterranean alone every year[iii]
Why should Oxybenzone be avoided?
Staggering statistics like this are one reason why territories with reef populations, such as Hawaii, Thailand and Aruba, have banned the use of Oxybenzone sunscreens.
- Hawaii
- Aruba
- Palua
- Bonnaire
- Thailand
- US Virgin Islands
The UK isn’t exactly known for its coral communities, so you may wonder why we, as a British sun cream brand, are so committed to making Oxybenzone-free sunscreens.
Coral reefs aren’t just scenic snorkelling spaces. They provide a vast amount of Earth’s oxygen and are a sanctuary for many species of marine life. Without the reef, some species of fish could go extinct, leading to the destruction of some marine ecosystems.
Having worked with the UK charity MCS for over a decade, we are greatly concerned that some sun cream filters could harm fish and coral reefs.
How to choose a reef-safe sunscreen
We all know that sunscreen should be applied every day, and by choosing to apply ocean-friendly suncare, we can all help protect our seas and oceans from harm.
To help make reef-safe sunscreen shopping less confusing, we created a checklist of things to look for before buying an ocean-friendly sunscreen.
- Free from Oxybenzone, Octocrylene & Octinoxate
- Free from PFAS
- Water repellent
- Broad spectrum
- High factor
- Kind to skin
Is Green People sunscreen reef safe?
Yes. As a proud partner of the Marine Conservation Society, we’re very strict about what goes into our marine-friendly sun creams.
Green People refuses to use reef-harming sun filters, such as Oxybenzone, Octinoxate or Octocrylene, in any of its natural sunscreens. You can see our ocean-friendly sun care logos on our sugar cane plastic sunscreen tubes.
About Green People’s sunscreen filter
Our 100% mineral sunscreens are certified organic and reflect to protect using non-nano Titanium Dioxide and non-nano Zinc Oxide, natural minerals found in nature.
We also offer a choice of marine-friendly sunscreens that blend mineral and chemical filters.
Every Green People SPF is Oxybenzone-free, Octocrylene-free and Octinoxate-free, so no matter your skin type, you can shield your skin from sun damage while also doing your bit to protect our seas. Browse our collection of natural and organic sunscreens.
About Green People sunscreen filters
Our mineral sun filters:
ZINC OXIDE
Zinc Oxide is a natural mineral sun cream filter that’s a great choice for oily and spot-prone skin. Found in our Scent Free Mineral Sun Cream, this uncoated sun filter is non-nano and works mainly by physically reflecting UV rays so that harmful radiation cannot reach the skin’s surface.
Non-nano Zinc Oxide is not known to display aquatic toxicity, and there are lots of benefits to using it in sun care. Firstly, it starts to work as soon as it is applied to the skin, so it is ideal for when you want instant protection. It’s also largely unaffected by UV rays, meaning it will continue to work if it remains on the skin. You should always re-apply regularly and liberally though.
Zinc Oxide powers the below 100% mineral sunscreens:
TITANIUM DIOXIDE
Non-nano Titanium Dioxide is another mineral sun filter we use to make our marine-friendly SPFs so effective. Found in our Edelweiss Sun Cream SPF15 with Tan Accelerator, this mineral sun filter acts as a reflective barrier predominantly to UVB radiation and has no known hormone-mimicking effects.
Edelweiss Sun Cream with Tan Accelerator - SPF15 200ml
Enhance your tan naturally with this SPF15 + tan accelerator
£30.00
Our chemical sun filters:
DIETHYLAMINO HYDROXYBENZOYL HEXYL BENZOATE
Some Green People sun creams also contain a filter called Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate. This gives protection specifically against UVA radiation. We often use this in conjunction with Diethylamino Butamido Triazone, a sun filter which protects against UVA and UVB but is especially effective in the UVB spectrum.
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl vs Oxybenzone
We often get asked if Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate is the same as Oxybenzone and if it is reef safe.
You’ll be pleased to hear that Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate is distinctly different from Oxybenzone. Not only does it have an excellent safety profile, but it is very well tolerated by even sensitive skin and has no adverse environmental effects.
ORGANIC EDELWEISS EXTRACT
A plant-based UV-protection booster, antioxidant Edelweiss has evolved to withstand very strong UV light levels at high altitudes.
Edelweiss Sun Cream with Tan Accelerator - SPF15 200ml
Enhance your tan naturally with this SPF15 + tan accelerator
£30.00
We hope you have found this guide to our ocean-friendly sun creams helpful. Looking for reef-safe sunscreen for your next adventure? Take our 2-minute SPF quiz to find the perfect sunscreen for you.
Alternatively, why not reach out to our friendly customer care team? Our UK team is available 9am-5pm Monday to Friday on 01403 740350 and can also be contacted via direct message to @GreenPeopleUK.
[i] https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/sunscreen-corals.html
[ii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2291012/
[iii] https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/06/lotion-in-the-ocean-is-your-sunscreen-killing-the-sea#:~:text=Cinzia%20Corinaldesi%2C%20associate%20professor%20of,head%20of%20nonprofit%20scientific%20organisation
