How to formulate a coral friendly sunscreen

In May 2018, social media buzzed with the news of Hawaii being the first US state to ban the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate. The decision was based on the coral bleaching phenomenon. Coral bleaching occurs when abnormal environmental conditions cause coral to expel tiny photosynthetic algae, called zooxanthellae. According to the ARC Centre of Excellence, the loss of colourful algae causes coral to turn white or ‘bleach’. The condition is reversible and bleached coral can recover, but only if the temperature drops and zooxanthellae are able to recolonise them, otherwise it may die.

Oxybenzone and octinoxate are two of the most common sunscreen ingredients used worldwide. Studies have shown even the smallest amount of oxybenzone can cause coral to bleach rapidly – eliminating an essential part of the marine ecosystem that is responsible for nutrient release, food chain coordination and protecting coastlines from storms and wave damage.

Reducing the options

According to Hallstar, the recent mandate from the US State of Hawaii for oxybenzonefree and octinoxate-free sunscreens limits the UV filters available to formulators, particularly for high SPF products. Other countries have already adopted similar regulations and the speciality chemicals company expects more will follow.

Thanks to Hallstar’s years of experience in creating globally compliant formulations with photostabilisers that optimise filter performance compliant, the company has produced a range of coral friendly sun care formulations. These include:

• light and non-greasy sunscreen cream SPF30 (JZ11-138B)

• anti-sand sunscreen gel SPF50 (JZ12-20B)

• clog-free zinc spray SPF50 (JZ12-226)

• Broad Spectrum SPF50 O/W sunscreenlotion (JZ9-89)

• cream come true SPF70 W/O mineralsunscreen (JZ12-227B)

• sport sunscreen SPF70 (JZ12-207B)

• beach sunscreen spray SPF70 (JZ12-167B)

• ultra-high SPF100 spray (JZ12-170)

The full range of formulation guides are available locally from Millchem, Hallstar’s agent in South Africa. The formulations are all in vivo tested for SPF and 80minute water resistance and they have passed three month shelf stability. More importantly, these formulations do not contain octinoxate or oxybenzone. Instead, photostabilisers HallBrite BHB, SolaStay S1, Polycrylene and HallBrite PSF are used the while the HallBrite range of TiO2 and Z N O dispersions are used.

Hallstar – www.hallstar.com

Millchem – www.millchem.co.za