The Best Reef-Safe Sunscreens to Wear This Summer, 15 Long Lasting Colognes, According to Experts, Food and Drug Administration proposed a new rule to regulate common chemicals found in sunscreens, as advised by the American Academy of Dermatology, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. It is best to avoid these. Sunscreens ingredients widely believed to be harmful to coral reef systems include oxybenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene, homosalate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, para-aminobenzoic acid, parabens, and triclosan. They contain olive oil, beeswax, and coconut extract and have an SPF15 rating. "Because reef-safe sunscreens do not use chemical UV blockers, they are super safe for the face and body," she says. Sun Care. Nanoparticles are often found in sunscreens that absorb into the skin versus creating a UV barrier or filter that rests on top of the skin. Not trying to toss a bottle of reef-safe SPF into your bag only for it to leak all over the place? This sunscreen has a strong, lemony scent. This brilliant solve for gloopy, thick mineral sunscreen comes out of the can in a whipped cream consistency, which makes it easier to rub in and feel lighter on the skin. Below is a list of the best chemical free sunscreens. Garrett Munce writes about men's style and grooming. Offers may be subject to change without notice. That was the heading on my search results page. I imagine if I really lathered my whole body the scent might be slightly stronger and could potentially be unpleasant, but that's just a conjecture.. There are no chemical sunscreens in this formula, only a powerful combination of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. It doesnt feel greasy or overly thick and doesn't leave a white cast on my skin, shares our tester. Thinkbaby Is the Best Sunscreen for Bodies and Water Bodies. Cynics among us may wonder if saving marine life could be as simple as switching their sunscreen. "Both nano particlea smaller particle sizeand traditional zinc oxide sunscreens are both safe and effective, and both will . Highly Rated: Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Mineral Lotion SPF 50. What We Dont Love: The very wet consistency could be a recipe for a mess. Instead, it makes skin feel shielded. These days, however, formulations of mineral sunscreens are getting better and grind the minerals down to a microscopic size called nanoparticles to ensure they disappear on skin quicker and more easily without leaving a film or chalky look. Waxhead Vanilla Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Stick. SPF 50 only filters 1% more: 98%. *Mama Kuleana Waterproof SPF 30 Reef-safe Sunscreen. The only way to know if a sunscreen is reef safe is by checking the ingredients. Let's start with what we know. Plus, we have different options to fit your daily (or seasonal) sunscreen needs. It's also fragrance free, and provides Broad Spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Highlights The global Reef Safe Sunscreen market is projected to reach USD million by 2028 from an estimated USD million in 2023, at a CAGR of Percent during 2023 and 2028. Free from oxybenzone and octinoxate, it meets basic non-regulated guidelines for being reef-friendly. Surf Mud is a natural zinc-based cream suitable for all skin types. What We Dont Love: The light orange scent may not be for everyone. While it doesnt dry down for an unnoticeable feel, she says that the creamy paste feels similar to applying a heavy moisturizer, so its not distracting or uncomfortable. Instead of using oxybenzone or octinoxate, these sunscreens use minerals to protect your skin from sunburns and skin cancer, as well as prevent aging due to sun exposure. Note that La Roche-Posay does not use "reef-safe" marketing terms, nor does it specify whether its main ingredients are non-nano. It costs less than the competition, plus it rubs in fairly easily and feels nice on skin . *Kokua Sun Care Hawaiian SPF 50 Natural Zinc Sunscreen, *Mama Kuleana Waterproof SPF 30 Reef-safe Sunscreen, *Little Hands Hawaii SPF 35+ All-natural and Organic Sunscreen, *Raw Love SPF 35 All-natural Mineral Sunscreen, Raw Elements SPF 30 Certified Natural Sunscreen, Loving Naturals Clear Body SPF 30+ All-natural Sunscreen, Banana Boat Simply Protect SPF 50+ Sunscreen (spray, not lotion). Read more: Best Natural Sunscreens for Men. It's also made without chemicals of concern such as avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, and homosalate. [Chemicals] get absorbed by some of the marine life and cause damage and even death. $33 at Amazon $45 at Walmart. Pacifica After Sun Body Spray Coconut Vanilla Person & Covey, Inc. SolBar PF Sunscreen Cream SPF 50 Person & Covey, Inc. Solbar Zinc Oxide SPF 38 Unscented Transparent Sunscreen Cream Why We Love It: It's gentle enough to use on top of makeup. How do I know if my sunscreen is reef-safe? What We Love: It blends in effortlessly, absorbs quickly, and feels comfortable on the skin. That isn't in the tiniest bottle ever. It would be nice if the manufacturer forewarned shoppers on the tube that its scented., Size: 3 oz. When she's not writing, she can be found out and about with her Jack-Chi, Cash, sweating her way through an Orangetheory class, or taking it easy with family and friends. Following the growing amount of evidence that what sunscreens we put on our bodies can have a devastating effect on the environment around us, Hawaii became the first state to ban the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate in 2018, two known endocrine disrupting chemical ingredients that have been shown to drastically affect ocean life. This fragrance-free zinc sunscreen lotion is top rated by the EWG because of the 70% organic formula and high quality plant-derived ingredients. Size: 2.9 oz. I would recommend this to someone looking for [high-quality] daily facial sunscreen, but I wouldn't recommend this as your go-to sun protection on long summer days at the beach, our tester concludes. Plus, it makes reapplying every two hours less of chore. Diapers; Fragrance. There are potentially harmful effects as they seep into the skin, which can be bad news for humans as well as marine life. Why We Love It: The tropical scent smells like a dream vacation. Buyers should also be on the lookout for sunscreens that contain nanoparticles or do not specify the use of "non-nano" or "micro-sized" zinc or titanium. surfmud. Despite saying this has an hour or more of water resistance, adding water did make the sunscreen run slightly, and I can imagine if I went swimming for a while, a lot of the sunscreen would run off, our tester admits. . While this product is free of oxybenzone and octinoxate and labeled reef-friendly, it contains octocrylene, an ingredient that is banned in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It feels very lightweight on my skin, and theres absolutely no white cast upon application, nor any pilling. In addition to sinking seamlessly into skin, we find that this reef-safe sunscreen leaves skin looking semi-matte without making it feel dry. Its the dose that makes the poison, so if you had 6,000 people go into [the same water] with nanosized zinc oxide, yes, I think there would be an impact, he says. Physical sunscreens also tend to be natural, like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, whereas chemical sunscreens are synthetic. Taylor Fox is a Commerce Updates Writer at. However, this sunscreen is not compliant with the U.S. Virgin Islands reef-safe policy since it contains octocrylene. You may want to find another sunscreen if youll be engaging in water activities though, because its not water-resistant. Although it's not listed on the label, the company claims this product is "coral reef-safe. Ahead, check out the 12 best reef-safe sunscreens. If you're one of those people who hates the feeling of being slathered in gooey sunblock, Thinksport could be a game-changer. There is no official FDA definition or criteria as to what makes a sunscreen 'reef-safe'. Wed be willing to bet youll find one you like so much, you wont even miss your old chemical screen. What We Love: Its lightweight and creamy, and it doesnt leave a white cast. I like this stuff! Though, its citrusy, so it may not be for everyone. This absorbs quite quickly and doesnt require much rubbing to get it to lose its white cast., Best of all, this water-resistant, reef-safe sunscreen, which smells like an orange creamsicle, lives up to its claims. | Scented: No | SPF Level: 30 | Water-Resistant: No. ), you may not have thought about how what you choose to protect your body from the sun could also have a role in protecting, or deteriorating, the environment around you. Oxybenzone and octinoxate, the two chemicals recently banned in Hawaii and are believed to cause coral bleaching. This clean-ingredient formula contains zinc to help protect your face from UV rays but is non-greasy and contains rice starch to help soak up excess oil. "Having sunscreens that are reliable in different parts of the world where the UV rays can be more intense is crucial." our process. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for 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, in Bio-Resin Tube, 3oz (2-Pack) at Amazon.com. When coral bleaches, it is not dead, but under significant stress and subject to increased mortality levels. To save you from sifting through thousands of reviews, we went ahead and tested the 24 most popular reef-safe sunscreens. This sunscreen is formulated to increase the invisible barrier protection when exposed to external heat and water or sweat, making it ideal for very sunny days spent in the waves. To really hedge your bets, you should look at the ingredients list and see if its a purely mineral sunscreen that contains zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide (sometimes formulas will include other chemicals, like avobenzone) and whether it says the ingredients are nano or non-nano. Key West followed in 2019 and around the same time the Food and Drug Administration proposed a new rule to regulate common chemicals found in sunscreens, including oxybenzone and octinoxate, pending updated testing. $37. Ward off harmful UV rays with Pacifica's collection of sunscreen for all skin types. Research says that 4,000 to 6,000 tons of sunscreen enters reef . Sunscreens are incredible herbicides, worse than commercial herbicides, says Downs. | Scented: Yes | SPF Level: 30+ | Water-Resistant: Yes, though it didnt pass our splash test. If youre going to the beach and laying out, it doesnt matter as much. But consider that, as Downs says, the poison is in the dose. The harmful chemicals in sunscreens compound over time, so even one person making the switch could make a difference. What to Consider: Active ingredients include octocrylene, a chemical that is banned in the U.S. Virgin islands. Badger Active Mineral Sunscreen has an SPF 30 rating and protects against broad spectrum UV exposure. The absorbability and lack of white cast arent the only reasons this sunscreen stands out: Made with water lily and sugarcane-derived squalane, it also deeply hydrates skin and provides a cooling effect, so it can double as post-sun care if you spend too much time soaking up the rays or forget to reapply. Their subsequent study found that there was over 14,000 tons of sunscreen in our oceans, which they have now been able to directly link to irreversible damage to coral and other marine life. Best Reef Safe Sunscreen Without a White Cast. Im very impressed with its ability to absorb into my skin, she admits. Luckily, we found multiple options that are, including Hello Bello Mineral SPF 50+ Sunscreen, BLUE LIZARD Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide 50+, and Maui Surfer Honey All Natural Sunscreen. The company does state that it lab tests each of its face and body sunscreens to ensure they are marine safe. Best overall reef-safe sunscreen. There were six products listed. Reef Safe Sunscreen: Hanauma Bay, Oahu, Hawaii. Maui Naturals Surfer Honey All Natural Sunscreen first caught our attention due to its retro packaging, but it retained interest when we realized just how well it works. On the luxe end of the spectrum, this Drunk Elephant mineral sunscreen costs a bit more than others, but is ideally suited for everyday wear on your face. BUT WAIT, there is more. When coral bleaches (turns white), it's still alive, but it's under severe stress, which leaves it susceptible to . Best Overall: ThinkSport SPF 50+ at Amazon. Here's everything you need to know about these eco-friendly SPF formulas. The lightweight and natural ingredients are gentle on any type of skin and can even be applied over makeup, so you can stay protected all day long. The formula sits well under makeup, giving your skin a gorgeous glow. Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen has a very thin texture so much so that its quite runny and takes pretty much zero effort to squeeze out of the tube. SPF: 50+ | Size: 5 ounces | Water resistance: Up to 80 minutes. As there are no official reef-safe designations (more on that below), you'll want to check the label's active and in-active ingredients to make sure they are free from known chemicals and particles that harm the environment. I was impressed with how water resistant it is, our tester marvels. That means our team of testers has reviewed every product on this list using a unique methodology to ensure it's really worth your time, money, and attention. There are plenty of eco-conscious sunblock options that provide proper protection without violating these bans or sacrificing your skin's comfort. Its complicated. Filter by. While you may have to reapply this product more frequently, you can do so knowing your child's baby-soft skin will remain safe and protected. Without nano-zinc particles and meant to last in the water, this a great all-around cream. Best for Kids: Earth Mama Uber-Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Lotion. My two requirements were reef safe and non toxic. [Just be sure to] go through the ingredient list to rule out octinoxate, oxybenzone, and octocrylene, Dr. Henry says. This sunscreen uses ingredients that are thought to be safest for reefs. The best reef-friendly sunscreen. What We Love: It absorbs quickly and dries down for a smooth, silky, hydrated finish. What We Love: A little bit of this soothing sunscreen goes a long way. Protect Land & Sea, which Downs oversees, tests sunscreens for 11 potentially harmful chemicals as well as a slew of other things like parabens and other preservatives. 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The other shortcoming of this SPF is its lack of water resistance, despite its claims. This body of researchwhile . SPF: 40 | Size: 3 ounces | Water resistance: Up to 40 minutes. But it was so non-specific that no one really paid attention. We found eight clean sunscreen options that meet our standard of safety and apply well. This clear sunscreen is perfect for anyone who loves looking pool-side glam. In addition to protecting against UVA and UVB rates, it contains organic shea butter and organic calendula, and is completely cruelty-free.