07/30/2024
Many sunscreens are banned in Hawaii because the toxic chemicals used can damage the reef and marine life ๐ This photo is of some free sunscreen by available at a beach in Kihei, Maui.
Unfortunately, if a sunscreen says it is "reef safe" or "reef friendly", it still doesn't mean that it is because this wording is not regulated ๐ญ Companies can get away with clever marketing of their products and fool many of us innocent buyers into thinking we are purchasing the right product.
"A reef friendly sunscreen will only contain the minerals zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as active ingredients. If there is a chemical listed, then it's not reef friendly, it's as easy as that!" (Surf Rider Foundation, 2024).
Toxic ingredients in sunscreen to watch out for include avobenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene, oxybenzone, 4-methylbenzylidene, camphor, microplastics, such as โexfoliating beadsโ, nanoparticles, PABA, parabens and triclosan.
If you would like the link to a list of real mineral based reef safe sunscreens then comment "reef safe" and I will message it to you.
Article referenced: "Your guide to reef friendly sunscreen! This summer choose minerals over chemicals", Katie Day, Surfrider.org.