Summer is here and everybody is stoked to hit the beach and getting in some much-needed vitamin D. When packing your beach bag, one of the most important items is the sunscreen.
But did you know that your sunscreen might be very dangerous for marine life?!
When you swim with sunscreen on, chemicals like oxybenzone can seep into the water, where they’re absorbed by corals. These substances contain nanoparticles that can disrupt coral’s reproduction and growth cycles, ultimately leading to bleaching.
Even if you don’t swim after applying sunscreen, it can go down drains when you shower. Aerosol versions of sunscreen can spray large amounts of the product onto the sand, where it gets washed into our oceans.
The problem is daunting: 14,000 tons of sunscreen are thought to wash into the oceans each year; 82,000 chemicalsfrom personal-care products may be tainting the seas; about 80% of corals in the Caribbean have been lost in the past 50 years.
Fortunately, there are a number of resources to help you in making a purchase without feeling guilty!
There are different companies who have responded with eco-conscious products containing ingredients that are less harmful to the underwater environment.
Use these tips on sunscreen and other ways to help you protect yourself and the corals!
(Unfortunately, most sunscreens come packaged in plastic, so we tried to collect you zero waste ones to avoid plastic packages!)
Raw Elements
RAW ELEMENTS offers a natural alternative to chemical sunscreens with a formula that is gentle enough for infants and powerful enough to meet the demands of the most extreme athletes and outdoor adventurers. Raw Elements has been rated the #1 sunscreen by Environmental Working Group five years in a row.
https://www.rawelementsusa.com
EiR NYC
Creating clean products that have minimal impact on the environment is a core mission at Eir. They are constantly striving to implement the most sustainable practices possible when creating the cleanest products available.
This zero waste sunscreen is available in a recyclable/reusable metal tin, or in a compostable tube. The tube makes for super easy application. Perfect and simple.
All Good
This compact, reef friendly sunscreen tin provides maximum UVA/UVB protection and its smooth, creamy texture applies effortlessly on the skin with a neutral tint coverage for most skin tones.
This product is very water resistant (80 minutes), coral reef friendly, fragrance free, mineral iron oxides for colour pigment and it has strong sun protection for extreme environments.
Dirty Hippie Cosmetics
This SPF 30 sunscreen is vegan and it comes packaged in a metal tin or biodegradable tube. Not to mention that it smells of sweet, light, zingy lime!
Dirty Hippie Cosmetics is based in Australia but ships worldwide. Another cool thing is, if you live in Australia, they will take back any empties you have of their full sized, tin or bottle products. Truly zero waste in all aspects.
This sunscreen is also ideal for people with sensitive skin as it has low pure essential oil content. If your skin is super sensitive to essential oils, you can request your sunscreen without essential oils altogether. Dirty Hippie will be happy to oblige!
https://dirtyhippiecosmetics.com.au
SunButter
This sunscreen is made by marine biologists who took a stand for better suncare. Their journey begins with 5 delicious products made from high quality, locally sourced ingredients to nurture your skin and not harm the sea.
Every tin speaks for itself demonstrating natural suncare as equally high performing against UV rays, far more restorative and nurturing for your skin, and can be packaged plastic free because it’s natural ingredients don’t react with alternative packaging.
https://sunbutteroceans.com.au
We hope we have been helping you out with some good zero waste sunscreen tips, now it‘s time to go out and eco-consciously catch some rays!
