Many chemical ingredients used in conventional sunscreens have been found to be damaging to the environment. Oxybenzone, one of the most commonly used ingredients which is found in 3,500 brands of sunscreens worldwide, is of particular concern. Researchers have found that Oxybenzone damages coral with on concentrations as low as 62 parts per trillion, which is equivalent to a single drop of water in six and a half Olympic-sized swimming pools. Considering the fact that between 6000-14000 tons of sunscreen end up in coral zones each year, one can easily imagine the devastating impact conventional sunscreens have on our planet’s precious coral reefs. We only use non-nano Zinc Oxide in our sunscreen. Along with Titianium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide is the only UVA & UVB blocker that has been deemed safe for coral reefs. Zinc Oxide is recommended by the US National Park service as the most environmentally friendly available form of sunscreen protection. Remember, if it is on your skin, it is on the reef as well!
Sources
Downs et al. (2016), “Toxicopathological Effects of the Sunscreen UV Filter, Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3), on Coral Planulae and Cultured Primary Cells”. Link: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00244-015-0227-7
US National Park Service, “Protect Yourself, Protect The Reef!” Link: https://cdhc.noaa.gov/_docs/Site%20Bulletin_Sunscreen_final.pdf
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