A new lineup of natural, broad-spectrum sunscreens that not only protect your skin, they keep the coral reefs safe
Sunscreen is important year-round, but it’s especially wise to protect your skin from UV rays in the heat of summer, when you spend more time outdoors and the sun is beating down hard.
But it’s not only your skin that needs protection. There are certain chemicals in sunscreen that can cause damage, even death, to the coral reefs beyond the beaches. According to the Environmental Working Group, at least 25 percent of the sunscreen you apply washes off the skin and into the water within 20 minutes. Each year, approximately 25 to 60 million bottles worth of sunscreen wash away into coral reefs.
Sunscreen chemicals like octocrylene, octinoxate, oxybenzone—and butylparaben—are not only potentially harmful to us, they cause coral to sicken, lose their color and die. Mineral sunscreens, those that list active ingredients titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide, are the only ones that offer full-spectrum protection to humans, and are not harmful to the reefs.
When you are shopping for sunscreens to protect you and your loved ones from the harmful UVA and UVB rays of the sun, stick with titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide and remember to also protect the coral reefs!
Derma E Natural Mineral Sunscreen Active Stick
A non-nano SPF 30 stick that is water resistant (80 minutes), easy to reapply and offers broad-spectrum protection with zinc oxide. And not least of all, it’s vegan and GMO-free! dermae.com
Bare Republic Mineral Citrus Cooler Sunscreen Spray SPF 30
A spray-on water-resistant sunscreen (80 minutes), with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, with citrus oils and watermelon extract that give it a light, fresh, citrus scent. gobareoutside.com
Badger Broad Spectrum 30
Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Cream Deeply moisturizing, with certified organic plant ingredients and no essential oil fragrance which may irritate sensitive skin, and so eco-friendly that even the tubes are made of BPA- and phthalate-free #2 recyclable plastic. badgerbalm.com
Vive Sana Organic Skincare Daily Protezione Broad Spectrum SPF 30
This lightweight, non-nano, uncoated zinc oxide-based sunscreen is extremely moisturizing and infused with organic argan, green tea seed, sunflower seed, avocado and apricot kernel oils. vivesana.com
MyChelle Replenishing Solar Defense Body Lotion SPF 50
With shea butter and coconut oil, a highly moisturizing sunscreen with a high SPF to keep skin soft and protected. Water resistant for 80 minutes. mychelle.com
DeVita Solar Body Block SPF 30
Light and loaded with antioxidant-rich green tea, as well as soothing hyaluronic acid and aloe vera, to keep skin soft and hydrated, and fully protected. Plus, it’s vegan and non-nano. devitaskincare.com
Suntegrity Skincare SPF 30
Natural Mineral Sunscreen for Body With skin-soothing aloe vera, green tea and nourishing hyaluronic acid, you’ll fall in love with this oil-free formulation. suntegrityskincare.com
Goddess Garden Organics Sport SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen
Created for an active, outdoorsy lifestyle, this is water-resistant for 80 minutes, with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, and specially formulated so that it won’t sweat off. goddessgarden.com
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