That was the heading on my search results page. What We Love: It absorbs quickly and dries down for a smooth, silky, hydrated finish. Thinksport SPF 50+ Mineral Sunscreen checks every box on our reef-friendly checklist, and it's perfect for numerous outdoor activities and occasions. Dear SB Community, There is still a lot of conversation and debate around the impact of sunscreen on coral reefs. But did you know that, if youre someone who likes to spend a lot of time in and near the water, the type of sunscreen you use is important, too. These are the best reef-friendly sunscreens for your outdoor adventures: Why We Love It: It's sweat-resistant enough to use for sports and comfortable enough to wear every day. This sunscreen applies very smoothly because of the consistency, and its easy to blend into the skin, our tester shares. Buyers should also be on the lookout for sunscreens that contain nanoparticles or do not specify the use of "non-nano" or "micro-sized" zinc or titanium. As manufacturers began to micronize particles smaller and smaller, they went too far, says Robinson. Since then, reef-safe sunscreens have become more and more popular, with seemingly endless brands entering the space. The main downside is that it's only water and sweat resistant for up to 40 minutes, whereas other sunscreens on this list last for 80 minutes. . SPF: 50 | Size: 3 ounces | Water resistance: Up to 80 minutes. Plus, it makes reapplying every two hours less of chore. 12 Coral-Reef-Safe Sunscreens That Will Protect You and the Ocean My two requirements were reef safe and non toxic. He's written for Esquire, New York Magazine, Spotlyte, and Very Good Light and held staff positions at GQ and W. Follow his skincare obsession on Instagram at @garrettmunce. Plus, this compact stick is small and convenient, so you can stick it in your bag to use on every vacation, not just those spent on the beach. Sun Care. | Scented: No | SPF Level: 50+ | Water-Resistant: Yes. Were partial to this zinc formula which goes on smooth and dries to a powdery finish that doesnt leave you with a grey film or sticky feeling (there is also a version specifically for your face). $36 at Amazon $32 at Ulta Beauty $31 at Nordstrom. It doesnt feel greasy or overly thick and doesn't leave a white cast on my skin, shares our tester. Los Angeles-based dermatologist Dr. Jasmine Yun wears reef-safe sunscreen every day and recommends getting into the habit of always applying a thin layer of sun protection on any exposed areas, especially the face. However, this sunscreen is not compliant with the U.S. Virgin Islands reef-safe policy since . Though, its citrusy, so it may not be for everyone. SPF: 50+ | Size: 5 ounces | Water resistance: Up to 80 minutes. (Though it should be noted that the FDA is more concerned with these chemicals effects on humans, rather than the environment). Why We Love It: It has a dual wetforce and heatforce shield. *Mama Kuleana Waterproof SPF 30 Reef-safe Sunscreen. What We Love: It absorbs quickly into skin without leaving a white cast. Our Top Choice: After extensive testing, we have concluded that the Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen is the best reef-safe sunscreen. "Because reef-safe sunscreens do not use chemical UV blockers, they are super safe for the face and body," she says. Best overall reef-safe sunscreen. Best Tinted Sunscreen: Olita Tinted Mineral Sunstick. Credit: Zeng et al. This clean-ingredient formula contains zinc to help protect your face from UV rays but is non-greasy and contains rice starch to help soak up excess oil. It comes in medium/dark and light/medium shades for lightweight, reef-safe, ultramoisturizing sun protection that works for virtually any skin . To be as safe as possible, the sunscreen should contain only non-nano mineral sunscreens. Best Sunscreen for Kids Comes From Thinkbaby. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Resistant, Reef Safe, SPF 50 . The product's translucent tint helps hide the dreaded white cast created by some mineral-based sunscreens and works on a wide range of light to medium skin tones. The 10 Best Reef-Safe Sunscreens of 2023 | Tested by InStyle #1 Apply at least 10 - 15 minutes before entering the water. our process. *Kokua Sun Care Hawaiian SPF 50 Natural Zinc Sunscreen. Why We Love It: The tropical scent smells like a dream vacation. Here is a list of sunscreens considered to be reef safe. Purchased at Target on the mainland. This EWG-approved formula from Coppertone is made of zinc oxide and natural botanicals, like tea leaf and sea kelp extracts. As a professional surfer in the World Surf League, Kirra Seale says applying Mattescreen is part of her daily reef-safe sun protection routine. It is best to avoid these. Best spray: Blue . "I love using the Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion," says surfer Kirra Seale. I would recommend this to someone looking for [high-quality] daily facial sunscreen, but I wouldn't recommend this as your go-to sun protection on long summer days at the beach, our tester concludes. In doing so, we were able to narrow down the top 10 reef safe-sunscreens. Avoid sunscreens with high content of Titanium Dioxide. TSA-Friendly: Reef Repair Reef-Safe Sunscreen SPF 30. RRP $25.00 Available online & select stockists nationwide. Jump to Review. She writes for a variety of publications, covering everything from beauty and wellness to style and celebrity news. Reef-safe sunscreen: Everything you need to know before your - CNET If youre going to the beach and laying out, it doesnt matter as much. But consider that, as Downs says, the poison is in the dose. The harmful chemicals in sunscreens compound over time, so even one person making the switch could make a difference. #3 Cover up! In addition to protecting against UVA and UVB rates, it contains organic shea butter and organic calendula, and is completely cruelty-free. Reef Safe Sunscreen: Hanauma Bay, Oahu, Hawaii. Choose a physical sunscreen with non-nano zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. It's lightweight, fragrance-free, and won't make you break out. Shop Now. Best Overall: Kkua Sun Care Reef Safe Natural Zinc Sunscreen SPF 50. Why We Love It: This mineral sunscreen is made from just five ingredients. What to Consider: Tint can transfer to clothing, bedding, or towels. Sunscreen is the one-and-only over-the-counter product that along with other sun protection measures is proven to help reduce the risk of skin cancer. We rounded up nine of the best reef-safe sunscreens on the market to ensure you're protecting your skin and keeping the oceans oxybenzone-free. One thing to keep in mind: This SPF is formulated without synthetic fragrances but it definitely has a scent. #1 Read the label. The Pipette Mineral Sunscreen - SPF 50 Broad Spectrum Sunblock with Non-Nano Zinc outperformed the competition with its ultra-gentle, fragrance-free formula that quickly sinks into skin, doesnt leave a white cast, and doesnt transfer onto clothes. Avoid sunscreens containing: avobenzone, butylparaben, ecamsule octinoxate, oxybenzone or 4-methylbenzylidine camphor. Top 8 Vegan And Reef Safe Sunscreen Brands Oops Vegan Lifestyle Mineral sunscreens, such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, are generally not toxic to coral, however, when they are formulated as nanoparticles they can still damage coral, she explains. Where is it illegal to use sunscreen that isn't reef-safe? It still leaves a slight white cast at first, but is useful to see if youve missed a spot before it disappears. The reef-safe sunscreen contains non-nano transparent zinc oxide that is easily blendable and soaks into your skin without leaving a white residue, including on dark skin tones. Made in Hawaii sunscreens are marked with an *asterisks. This sunscreen is vegan and cruelty-free and contains natural moisturizers such as jojoba, avocado, and sunflower oils. Choosing the right sunscreen is important not only to protect skin from burns and cancer, but also to preserve our oceans and marine life. ), you may not have thought about how what you choose to protect your body from the sun could also have a role in protecting, or deteriorating, the environment around you. Free from oxybenzone and octinoxate, it meets basic non-regulated guidelines for being reef-friendly. "Their formula is ocean-friendly and Hawaii-compliant. Even the bottle is made from a corn-based . The Sun Bum Mineral line of sunscreens is our top pick for the best reef friendly sunscreen in Hawaii. For this story, she compiled the insights and reviews of nine InStyle testers to determine the best reef-safe sunscreens. For travelers who plan their vacation around water sports, a reef-safe and long-lasting sunscreen is a crucial buy. Likewise, if your sunscreen claims to do double-duty as an exfoliant or create a shimmer effect, it may contain nanoplastics, which are harmful to the marine environment. Seriously I need more than that. What to Consider: Moisturize before applying if you have dry skin so it doesn't become streaky. Reef-safe sunscreen, also known as reef-friendly sunscreen, are basically sunscreen products that do not contain octinoxate and oxybenzone, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry, of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan. The first step to buying reef-safe sunscreen is to check which active ingredients are in the bottle. Mineral Sunscreen & SPF. Since theres no added fragrance, its gentle enough to use on sensitive or irritation-prone skin. SPF: 40 | Size: 3 ounces | Water resistance: Up to 40 minutes. "It has a light sheen and leaves my face looking smooth. This Black-owned sunscreen isn't just reef-safe . 9. As a non-official baseline, products that are claimed to be ocean-friendly tend to be free from oxybenzone and octinoxate. To really hedge your bets, you should look at the ingredients list and see if its a purely mineral sunscreen that contains zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide (sometimes formulas will include other chemicals, like avobenzone) and whether it says the ingredients are nano or non-nano. Over the past decade or so, many researchers have studied the possible impact of sunscreen ingredients on coral reefs, aquatic plants, fish, and other marine life. Reef safe sunscreen is sun protection that doesn't use chemicals like oxybenzone or octinoxate as its active protective ingredient. The oil-free formula functions as a primer, pore-minimizer, and sunscreen all-in-one. If youre just sweating a lot, though, you can probably get away with holding out for the duration of the products purposed resistance (which is typically in the 80 minute range). We may get samples for free to try but we never promise positive (or any!) Oxybenzone and octinoxate are two ingredients believed to contribute to coral bleaching. It contains ingredients like squalane and red algae to help moisturize and protect skin, while also allowing it to spread easily and quickly. Did you notice the InStyle Picks seal of approval at the top of this story? While traditional sunscreens contain ocean-damaging chemicals, reef-friendly products allow us to soak up rays without harming the precious marine environments we're out to enjoy. Badger Active Mineral Sunscreen has an SPF 30 rating and protects against broad spectrum UV exposure. This fragrance-free zinc sunscreen lotion is top rated by the EWG because of the 70% organic formula and . ", SPF: 40 | Size: 1.5 ounces | Water resistance: Up to 80 minutes. That said, Dr. Jamal says it depends on the exact formulation. All Terrain AquaSport Reef Friendly Sunscreen. Size: 1.69 oz. What to Consider: It contains avobenzone, which may react harmfully to chlorine. While the pump top is a lovely addition, we found that it is prone to leaks, filling the cap with product. Why We Love It: It doubles as a daily moisturizer. Best Reef Safe Sunscreen Without a White Cast. Basically, says Robinson, you have to make the decision for yourself. The easiest way to think about it is to picture the old-school lifeguards or surfers with pure white zinc on their noses. Pacifica Beauty offers all vegan makeup, body care, facial products and hair care. It's water-resistant, free of harmful chemicals, and trusted by dermatologists all over the world. Why Reef Safe Sunscreens Are Important To Hawaii - Honu Point | Scented: No | SPF Level: 30+ | Water-Resistant: No. One way to ensure that youre buying a reef-safe sunscreen? Pacifica Mineral Face Shade Coconut Probiotic SPF 30 ($13) [VEGAN] Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 4.8%, . The product is also vegan, cruelty-free, non-GMO, made with solar power, and packaged in 50 percent recyclable materials. Formulated to be lightweight and creamy, the stick SPF applies beautifully, absorbs quickly, and doesnt leave a white cast not even on darker skin tones. With this in mind, when shopping for reef-safe sunscreen look for fragrance-free and/or unscented formulas, as opposed to eagle-eyeing in on synthetic scents (or a lack thereof). What We Dont Love: The very wet consistency could be a recipe for a mess. This body of researchwhile . With so many reef-friendly sunscreens on the market, it can be hard to know which ones work the best. Supergoop . Opt for a stick. <. How to Choose a Safer Sunscreen (tested benzene-free) By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.