Image Credit
Ishan @seefromthesky
It’s no secret that the world’s coral reefs are in serious trouble, a threat that should concern us all (if you’re not up to speed on why we need to be concerned about coral reefs, check out this great article here). While we’ve been digging eco-friendly SPF and sunscreen products for a while, the news that Hawaii has taken measure to ban the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate by 2021 gives us a timely excuse to do a sunscreen round up of the best brands that are great at keeping harmful rays at bay, while being kind to both your body and the planet.
First, it’s good to know what to look for when choosing a sunscreen that is reef safe. The majority of problematic ingredients are found in chemical based sunscreens.
What to Avoid
- Sunscreens with high Titanium Dioxide content. Titanium Dioxide is a non-biodegradable mineral that reacts in warmer seawater, forming hydrogen peroxide that is harmful to sea life.
- Sunscreens that contain mineral oil or petrolatum, both of which take years to biodegrade and are recognized as being fatal to aquatic life and water fowl.
- Oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are both chemical ingredients recognized to cause coral bleaching.
Safe Sunscreens and Where to Buy Them In Canada
Think Sport
available at gothinksport.com and well.ca
Suntegrity
available at Clementine Fields
Derma E
available at healthyplanetcanada.com
Green Beaver
available at well.ca
Raw Elements
available at Clementine Fields
