The Importance of Reef Safe Sunscreen

Reef safe sunscreen is a type of sunscreen that is designed to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun without causing harm to the ocean’s delicate ecosystems. These sunscreens are specifically formulated to be free of chemicals that can cause harm to coral reefs, fish, and other marine life.

The importance of reef safe sunscreen cannot be overstated. Coral reefs are some of the most diverse and important ecosystems on the planet. They are home to thousands of different species of fish and other marine life, and they provide critical habitat for these organisms. 

However, coral reefs around the world are facing significant threats, including pollution, overfishing, and climate change. One of the lesser-known threats to coral reefs is the chemicals found in many traditional sunscreens. These chemicals, including oxybenzone and octinoxate, have been shown to cause harm to coral reefs by contributing to coral bleaching, which can ultimately lead to the death of entire coral colonies.

In fact, a 2015 study found that oxybenzone, a common chemical found in many sunscreens, can cause coral to bleach at concentrations as low as 62 parts per trillion. This is equivalent to one drop of water in six-and-a-half Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Fortunately, there is an easy solution to this problem: reef safe sunscreen. These sunscreens are formulated with alternative ingredients that do not harm coral reefs, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These ingredients provide effective protection from the sun’s harmful rays while remaining safe for marine life.

Using reef safe sunscreen is not only important for protecting the health of our oceans and marine life, but it is also important for our own health. The chemicals found in traditional sunscreens have been linked to a range of health problems, including hormone disruption and even cancer. By using reef safe sunscreen, we can protect our skin and the health of our oceans at the same time.

By using these sunscreens, we can protect our skin from the harmful effects of the sun without contributing to the destruction of our planet’s delicate ecosystems. So next time you’re planning a day at the beach or a snorkeling excursion, be sure to choose a reef safe sunscreen and do your part to protect the health of our oceans and the creatures that call them home.