Health
Rescue the Reef With These Sunscreen Saviors BY JACQUELINE SAGUIN
Parts of Florida, like the sunny paradise of Key West, have banned the sale of sunscreens made with chemicals that harm coral reefs. It’s a step toward protecting the world’s third largest barrier reef – effective in January 2021. So, now is the perfect time to switch out your SPF safeguard for one that protects both your skin and the sea. This follows suit of other tropical destinations like Hawaii and Palau, which put restrictions on selling over-the-counter sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate.
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WELLNESS360 | JULY/AUGUST 2020
How does this impact oceans?
Coral reefs are delicate ecosystems with thousands of marine species. Sunscreens are washed off into ocean waters and can harm aquatic animals, according to the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics. The two ingredients found in banned sunscreens are linked to bleaching coral reefs and contributing to coral toxicity, according to the National Library of Medicine. Beachgoers, fisherman and children alike use chemical sunscreens because it absorbs the sun’s rays. These products are typically formulated
with oxybenzone, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. A physical sunscreen deflects the sun’s rays, using titanium oxide or zinc oxide as an active ingredient.
What are some sunscreen alternatives?
"Reef-friendly" and "reef-safe" are not defined by the FDA, and no testing protocol has been agreed upon for these sunscreens. Still, companies like Sun Bum are taking precautions by creating new sun care products, labeling them as “reeffriendly” to show people it’s free of oxybenzone and octinoxate.
