Let's just dive right in. *snicker*
If you're planning on swimming, snorkeling, diving, or anything else in the ocean (or even rivers), you should be using reef-safe sunscreens. In fact, beautiful destinations like Hawaii are beginning to ban sunscreens that aren't reef-safe. These banned sunscreens contain harmful chemicals, like Oxybenzone and Octinoxate, that cause coral bleaching and can disrupt coral reproduction, while damaging their DNA.
Scientists have discovered that up to 10% of coral reefs are threatened by sunscreen-induced bleaching!
Chemical sunscreens are of course not the only issue putting stress on our coral reefs. They're also facing rising temperatures from global warming, water pollution, ocean acidification, etc. But anything we can do to protect our environment really does help. For more information, read these posts on what coral reef bleaching is and why we should care about it.
Reef-safe sunscreens have natural ingredients that protect your skin and the corals. These mineral sunscreens are becoming increasingly available as more people are informed.
Below is a list of my top 5 favorite sunscreen brands that are actively making a difference in protecting our oceans. Many of these reef-safe sunscreens come in active, sport, daily use, and babies/kids, and some even have travel carry-on sizes available as well!
1. Stream2Sea Tinted Sunscreen
Stream2Sea is the lesser-known and smallest company on this list, but is so far my favorite mineral sunscreen! The tinted sport sunscreen is the best one. It rubs in pretty well too, meaning it won't leave a chalky white tint to your skin like many other biodegradable sunscreens do.
FEATURES :
♦ SPF 30
♦ Non greasy
♦ Water-resistant up to 80 minutes
♦ Has a sensitive skin formula that won't burn your eyes
♦ Comes in an eco-conscious plastic-free tube (made from sugarcane resins!)
WHAT'S IN IT : An antioxidant blend of green tea, tulsi, wakame and olive leaf
SHOP STREAM2SEA HERE and use code AJAUNTWITHJOY at checkout for 10% OFF!
2. Badger Biodegradable Sunscreens
Badger is a much more well-known company, offering all kinds of certified organic healthy body care items. They have a lot of natural biodegradable sunscreen options. I've tried their Lavender and their Active Clear Zinc sunscreens. Of the two, the Clear Zinc does a better job of blending into your skin without any leftover chalky tint. The Anti-Bug sunscreen and the Rose Face sunscreen also look promising!
CLEAR ZINC FEATURES :
♦ SPF 30
♦ Rubs in clear
♦ Water-resistant up to 40 minutes
WHAT'S IN IT :
Sunflower oil base with clear zinc oxide
ANTI-BUG FEATURES :
♦ SPF 34
♦ DEET-free/Repels mosquitos
♦ Water-resistant up to 40 minutes
WHAT'S IN IT :
Extra Virgin olive oil, beeswax, and castor oil
ROSE FACE FEATURES :
♦ SPF 25
♦ Mild rose fagrance
♦ Hypoallergenic/Won't clog pores
WHAT'S IN IT :
Seabuckthorn, rosehip, and pomegranate with light essential oils
3. Mad Hippie Facial SPF
The Mad Hippie Facial SPF is a natural sunscreen perfect for those with sensitive skin. Mad Hippie recommends you first apply their Antioxidant Facial Oil to avoid any white streaking caused by the zinc oxide. It may only come in a 2.0 fl oz size, but a little bit of product goes a long way.
FEATURES :
♦ SPF 30
♦ Good for sensitive skin
♦ Mad Hippie donates a portion of sales to non-profits aimed at conservation and ending poverty
WHAT'S IN IT :
Red raspberry seed oil, avocado oil, carrot seed oil, jasmine oil, shea butter, beeswax, sodium hyaluronate
4. COOLA Mineral Sunscreens
COOLA provides eco-conscious formulas with a Farm to Face philosophy. You can be guaranteed the freshest, most natural, and organic ingredients. They try to stick with locally-sourced and sustainable components. Plus, they're packaging is bright and pretty, and they have a lot of scented options with various tints!
MINERAL FACE FEATURES :
♦ SPF 30
♦ Matte tint moisturizer
♦ Ideal for combination/oily skin
♦ Water-resistant up to 40 minutes
WHAT'S IN IT :
Rose hip seed oil, plankton extract, shea butter
ECO SPRAY FEATURES :
♦ SPF 50
♦ Non greasy
♦ Smells like guava mango
♦ Water-resistant up to 80 minutes
WHAT'S IN IT :
Algae extract, aloe vera extract, strawberry fruit extract
SUNSCREEN STICK FEATURES :
♦ SPF 50
♦ Safe on lips and moisturizes
♦ Comes in neutral and golden
♦ Water-resistant up to 80 minutes
WHAT'S IN IT :
Tamanu oil, sea kelp extract, cocoa seed butter, coconut oil, avocado oil
5. KŌkua Sun Care
This luxury high performance sunscreen is made from Hawaiian-grown botanicals and has a natural light coconut-vanilla scent. It applies clear and smooth while nourishing, hydrating, and protecting your skin. The bottle is 100% recyclable and just screams to be taken on a tropical vacation!
FEATURES :
♦ SPF 50
♦ Hawaiian-grown botanicals
♦ Water-resistant up to 80 minutes
♦ Supports local Hawaii business, agriculture, and non-profit organizations
WHAT'S IN IT :
KonaRed® coffee cherry extract, noni, Hawaiian spirulina, plumeria extract, honey, macadamia nut oil & kukui nut oil
Have you tried any reef-safe sunscreens?
What are your favorite brands?
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Comments
These sunscreens are AMAZING! why would I ever use the chemical crap again when I could use these!? I had NO idea they made them for face and even ones that help with bugs too. I was out of the loop until I read this! Thanks so much
Yeh! I was so excited when I first found out that there were so many options now for reef-safe sunscreens!