![]() ![]() “Just because a sunscreen contains no oxybenzone or octinoxate doesn’t mean that it is completely nontoxic and harmless to coral reefs and ocean health,” explains Lea d’Auriol, founder and executive director of international NGO Oceanic Global. Most sunscreens described as reef safe do not contain the aforementioned oxybenzone and octinoxate, but there are other ingredients to stay away from. That means looking beyond labels and heading straight to the ingredient list on the back of the bottle or tube. “Consumers must check the active ingredients to ensure they do not contain reef-harming chemicals.” “Unfortunately, the terms ‘reef-safe and ‘reef friendly’ are not regulated and make it difficult to trust the product,” Steinhaus says. What is reef-safe sunscreen?įirst off: There’s no such thing as a 100% reef-safe sunscreen (reef-safer is a more accurate label). “Avoiding sunscreens with harsh chemicals protects the entire marine ecosystem, including coral, fish, mammals, aquatic plants, mussels, and sea urchins,” says Joanie Steinhaus, Gulf of Mexico program director for the Turtle Island Restoration Network, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and restoring marine environments. ![]() However, even in places where there’s no ban, sun-seekers should be conscientious about the products they choose. Virgin Islands, and part of Mexico, have similar laws in place. Other popular tourist destinations, including Key West, Florida, the U.S. Hawaii’s sunscreen bans are among the strictest in the country (and come with a fine of up to $1,000 for violations). Food and Drug Administration, which regulates sunscreens, consider “safe and effective.” Only mineral sunscreens made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are allowed, which are the only two ingredients that the U.S. ![]() In addition to the state ban on products containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, certain counties, including Maui and Hawaii, took the extra step in 2022 to ban any sunscreen that isn’t mineral-based (unless you have a prescription from a licensed medical professional). On the other hand, physical sunscreens (which are more commonly known as mineral sunscreens), work by creating a physical barrier on the skin that shields it from the sun’s rays. Oxybenzone and octinoxate are active ingredients in chemical sunscreens, which use chemicals to absorb rays, then convert the rays into heat that gets released from the body. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |