Is Your Sunscreen Poisoning Our Oceans?

Though we are told never to assume, I am, just this once, assuming that there are many people out there who are like me. People who until now didn’t have a clue that the sunscreen they are using could pollute our oceans.

I recently burnt my calves on a long cycle ride and wanted to find a reliable sunscreen to protect my skin when I’m spending extended periods in the sun. I asked my friend who knows a lot more about skin products than me and she suggested looking into ocean-safe mineral sunscreens.

This was the first time I learnt that most sunscreens contain ingredients that pollute our oceans (and can be harmful to our health, too). It had never even occurred to me that while protecting myself from sunburn; I was damaging our oceans and delicate coral reef systems.

It shocked me even further when we discovered it wasn’t that easy to find sunscreens that are actually ocean-safe. Even though some brands say they are ocean and reef safe, they still contained some ingredients that are harmful to the oceans.

How do sunscreens harm the oceans and coral reefs?

Over 3,500 sunscreen products include oxybenzone and octinoxate which scientists have linked to coral bleaching.

Scientists say that when corals absorb these chemicals, it triggers a bleaching response in them. The presence of these chemicals in the seawater also allows viruses to thrive. If corals catch an infection from these viruses, it can lead to further bleaching and death.

The problem is especially severe in areas such as Hawaii, which sees almost a million tourists each year. It is estimated that as a result, over 6,000 pounds of sunscreen is deposited into the reef every year in the area.

In 2018, the state of Hawaii took a step towards protecting the delicate reef systems and banned the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate. The law came into effect on January 1, 2021.

Globally, the figure for pollutants from sunscreen is between 4,000 and 6,000 tons. However, this amount is not equally distributed in the oceans, but concentrated at popular diving and swimming sites.

The science behind why we need to use sunscreen

When spending time in the sun, we expose our skin to two types of rays from the sun: UVA and UVB.

UVA rays are low energy light that travel deeper into our skin through the tissue and past the epidermis. They deposit most of their energy in the dermal layer’s collagen network. Collagen keeps our skin smooth and supple and UVA damage to collagen causes premature aging of the skin.

UVB rays are ultraviolet light and only reach a few millimetres into the skin where they are absorbed by the epidermis. Even though they are a smaller percentage of the radiation, they are enough to cause sunburn on unprotected skin.

A note on sun exposure: some unprotected exposure to the sun is advised as this will increase vitamin D absorption through the skin. But only for ten minutes, after that, use SPF broad spectrum.

What is SPF Broad Spectrum?

SPF refers to how well the product will block the UVB rays and prevent sunburn. If a product has SPF only, it doesn’t block UVA rays. Sunscreens that are broad spectrum protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays helping to create a barrier against damage from long sun exposure.

The number following SPF refers to how long you can stay in the sun before reapplying. For example, when a sunscreen has SPF15, you can stay for 150 minutes, whereas with SPF30 the time increases to 300 minutes.

How to choose the SPF broad spectrum?

With sunscreens there is so much choice ranging from chemical to mineral and to reef safe mineral sunscreens. Not all sunscreens that claim to be reef- safe are, so check the ingredients with care. Sometimes they have only left out the two big baddies mentioned above, but still include some of the other ingredients that damage the oceans.

When choosing your sunscreen, look out for the following ingredients that are not safe for the planet.

Chemical sunscreens: oxybenzone, octinoxate, PABA or para-aminobenzoic acid, triclosan and parabens, such as methylparaben, butyl paraben or phenoxyethanol.

Mineral sunscreens: octocrylene, homosalate, 4-methyl benzylidene camphor and any nanoparticles like “nano-sized” zinc or titanium.

Ocean and reef safe mineral sunscreens are free of all the above ingredients.

Below I have included three sunscreens that meet the ocean safe criteria.

People4ocean SPF30 Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen

An Australian brand developed by marine biologist and a skincare brand LaGaia. It offers a high level of protection and can prevent sunburn under hot tropical sun even on the fairest skin tones.

La Roche Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Invisible Fluid SPF50

Some dermatologists recommend this one as it is lightweight, non-comedogenic (a product has been formulated to avoid causing clogged pores) and fragrance free.

Suntribe All Natural Mineral Body and Face Sunscreen SPF 30

This is a Swedish brand founded by three friends and effectively prevents sunburns even in strong sunlight and simultaneous exposure to seawater. It is the most recommended natural sunscreen by surfers.

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Protecting our oceans and reef systems is vital for the future of our planet Reef safe mineral sunscreens are the obvious choice for the eco-conscious sunbather.

By choosing reef safe sunscreens you can help protect oceans and keep the reefs alive.