Did you know putting
yourself sun-safe can have a detrimental effect on the marine environment? The
truth is that the products, including our skin, wash off when we enter the
water, and it adds up! The study tells us that 4000 to 6000 tons of sunscreen enter
reef areas annually. Unluckily, this does not spread out suddenly or evenly
over the whole ocean but concentrates on popular tourist sites. It is expected
that 90% of snorkeling/diving tourists are concentrate on 10% of the world’s
reefs. This means that our most famous reefs. Such as those in our marine parks
are presented to the bulk of sunscreens.
If you believe you
are in the clear when your Reef Safe Sunscreen
Australia is labeled “reef safe,” think twice. Sunscreens
labeled “reef safe” aren’t proved to be harmless when they get into your
underwater ecosystems. There are no set national standards, and currently, no
systematic evidence that any of the current sunscreen choices are wholly safe
for the aquatic ecosystem.
To help you get an informed decision, we’ve set together a list of stuff to look out for and
something to avoid when planning your next sunscreen purchase:
What
to Look for:
·
Mineral sunscreen made from zinc oxide and titanium
dioxide that does not contain nanoparticles – i.e., look for those labeled
‘non-nano.
·
Go non-toxic, paraben-free, and natural when you
can! This sunscreen may be a more expensive choice but if it’s the cost of
keeping this earth well, then let’s dig a little longer into our pockets. And
it’s advantageous for our health in the long term. What’s better than
that?
·
Make sure your sunscreen is labeled as water-resistant.
·
Sunscreen alternatives to defend you from the sun. Wear clothing
to defend your skin in and out of the water. The more limited surface area you
have to utilize sunscreen is fewer chemicals entering our water ecosystems!
·
WAIT 10 MINUTES! Listen to the directions and let your skin
consume your sun cream rather than rushing to the water and washing it straight
off.
Have
to avoid these:
·
Anything including octinoxate (also known as octyl
methoxycinnamate) and oxybenzone (also recognized as benzophenone-3).
·
Not-yet prevented but also shown to affect corals are Cinnamates
and parabens negatively.
·
Stay away from aerosols! Minimize the amount of sunscreen that ends on
the beach and ultimately will end up washed into the ocean. Stick with creams
that you can apply directly.
·
Sunscreen whose ingredients include a long list of chemicals.
Final words
The only way
to know if your sunscreen won’t cause harm to the environment or your body is
to check the label. You have to be sure to check both the active and inactive
ingredients! Inactive ingredients should be obtained from natural, plant-based
sources like organic sunflower oil and organic beeswax. As always, be wary of
elements that you can’t pronounce. We should have to wear it as Reef Safe Sunscreen Australia is a necessity.

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