Coral reefs are incredibly important, not only because they protect coastlines from storm surges but they also provide a home for the fish that keep our ocean environments healthy and diverse. We love our fishy friends and exploring the beautiful coral reefs where they live, so that’s why we’ve put together this post of sunscreens that are biodegradable and coral reef safe.
We all know how important it is to wear sunscreen to protect our skin, but have you ever wondered if by smothering yourself in these products before each dive in the sea, that you would be (unintentionally of course), using harmful formulas that are damaging the marine life around you and causing bleaching of the corals?
It’s true, the use of some sunscreens by people is becoming a serious and increasingly clear environmental threat to coral reefs, as Divers Alert Network (DAN) explains in this article on sunscreen pollution. We have pulled together information from around the internet and researched the common questions asked about coral reef safe sunscreen, and which are the best sunscreens for scuba divers.
10 Best Reef Friendly Sunscreens & Lotions
So here we are. Sun lotion is an essential accessory for most scuba divers. However, not all are made from the same ingredients. Some contain an ingredient that is destroying coral reefs around the world, but we hope to educate you on this with our list of the best sunscreens for scuba divers and some options that all divers should have as part of their scuba diving equipment.
Remember, it is still equally important to choose a mineral option that is an oxybenzone free sunscreen and that is not only a sunscreen safe for coral reefs but is good for your own health too. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) compiles an annual list of top sunscreen choices, based on efficacy and toxicity, so you can easily pick one that suits you best.
To help you in finding the best reef-friendly sunblock for scuba divers we have compiled the below list of 10 different suntan lotion brands and products to help you get ready for your next dive travel.
1. Sun Bum Original Moisturizing Sunscreen
This vegan and reef-friendly sunscreen is perfect for everyday use by both adults and children, and even those with sensitive skin. It’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes providing great protection for all of that water time!
It has a broad spectrum of UVA / UVB Protection and excludes ingredients that clog pores or causes common allergies – Non-comedogenic, Oxybenzone Octinoxate Free, ParParaben-Freeruelty-Free, Gluten Free, PABA free & Oil-Free.
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This hypoallergenic and an oxybenzone-free sunscreen that is made with, vegan Sun Bum sunscreen ingredients that are designed to protect against UVA rays, prevent premature aging and moisturize skin. What’s more, is that Sun Bum follows the recommendations & guidelines set by the Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF) and the American Cancer Society.
All of Sun Bum’s Original line of sunscreens have been tested, approved, and recommended by the SCF. A great choice for both preventing coral bleaching and your health containing no toxic chemicals!
2. Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen Mineral Lotion
Next on our list is this non-chemical sunscreen from Australian Gold. Designed to be Oxybenzone Free, Paraben Free, Phthalate Free, PABA Free, Petrolatum Free, SLS (Sulfate) Free, Dye Free, and Oil-Free is more than just powerful sun protection – It’s also gentle on your skin.
With a water resistance of up to 80 minutes, this sunscreen is perfect for scuba diving and should be applied liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure. This non-chemical sunscreen delivers non-whitening protection with a refreshingly luxurious and powdery-clean feel.
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Rich in vitamins and antioxidants from native Australian botanical ingredients there are various different subtle scents and non-greasy lotions to choose from.
With no unnecessary chemicals or animal testing, this is one of the best reef-safe sunscreens available online that is pleasant once applied on your skin and also leaves you smelling amazing.
3. Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen
One of the favorites and most popular sensitive sunblocks around that is also an environmentally friendly sunscreen is the Blue Lizard reef safe sunscreen Australia having no impact on the corals.
This mineral sunscreen has been formulated with dermatologists to keep sensitive skin from the sun, meaning it contains no skin-irritating fragrances or parabens.
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This is water-resistant for 40 minutes and does require more applications than the others. Having said that if you have sensitive skin it’s a great pick as it contains a broad spectrum SPF 30+ protection with 10% Zinc Oxide and 5% Titanium Dioxide a must for every scuba diving travel bag.
What’s even better is that Blue Lizard Austrailia loves coral reefs. So in order to help protect them, their sensitive sunscreen contains no Oxybenzone or Octinoxate, making it suitable for snorkelers and scuba divers alike.
4. Stream2Sea Reef Safe Sport Sunscreen
Stream2Sea is tested and proven biodegradable sunscreen without oxybenzone and octinoxate but with a broad-spectrum UVA and UVB sun protection, perfect for scuba divers! It comes with a powerful antioxidant blend of Organic Green Tea, Tulsi, Wakame, and Olive Leaf.
This biodegradable mineral-based sport lotion sunscreen is a fast-absorbing, non-greasy lotion perfect for both face and body application. What we love most about it is that this ocean safe sunscreen has been tested and proven safe for humans, freshwater and saltwater marine life.
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It’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and leaves you with non-greasy, moisturized skin. Rub it in well and feel good knowing you are choosing to do better for your body and the environment!
With tinted sunscreens, packs, and sizes to choose from, these guys really do have something for everyone. Stream2Sea also uses sugarcane resin for eco-friendly packaging when you order, so you can order as much as you like!
5. Alba Botanica Coconut Hawaiian Reef Safe Sunscreen
Protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays with this next product on our list from Alba Botanica. This Coconut Oil Hawaiian Clear Spray is a lightweight sunscreen that is made with a silky oil blend of ingredients.
This oil blend sunscreen spray absorbs quickly for a smooth finish without leaving a heavy or greasy feeling. Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation the botanical emollients found in this lotion as coconut extract, shea butter, and avocado oil will help nourish and moisturize your skin once applied.
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Another sunscreen that is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, it has not been tested on any animals and is also biodegradable. The selling point for this sunscreen though is that their formula is made with 100% vegetarian ingredients and is safe for our coral reefs.
With no oxybenzone, octinoxate, gluten, or synthetic fragrances it’s the ideal sunscreen for scuba divers and ocean goers! Loved by people of all ages, also perfect for everyday year-round use, Alba Botanics also sell a child’s version and a fragrance-free option.
6. BurnOut Ocean Tested Physical Sunscreen
Burnout Ocean Tested Physical Sunscreen is made for athletes pushing the limits. This is formulated with 20% Zinc Oxide to provide UVA and UVB broad-spectrum protection.
It’s very water-resistant and will not run into eyes – making it perfect for us scuba divers! Not only is this biodegradable and ocean-safe, but it’s also chemical-free, paraben-free, petroleum-free, and PABA-free.
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Enriched with Virgin Hemp Seed Oil, Aloe Vera, and Antioxidant Vitamins to soothe and rejuvenate sun-damaged skin all the while moisturizing your skin too!
BurnOut also offers a kids version of this sunscreen so the whole family can be protected from powerful sun rays all whilst keeping our ocean and coral reefs safe from harmful chemicals.
7. Beyond Coastal Active Sunscreen SPF 34
This Oxybenzone Free, Paraben Free, Oil-Free (Non-comedogenic) product provides great protection from the sun and is reef-safe causing no bleaching at the same time.
It gives you 80 minutes of water resistance and a broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection which stops 97% of UVB rays. With four different sizes of sunscreen to choose from, you’ll be able to pack appropriately for any trip to the beach.
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This reef safe sunscreen also helps to nourish your skin with its green tea extract, yerba mate, and B5 pantheon ingredients, great for anyone who suffers from dry skin.
Overall, the Beyond Coastal active sunscreen is an all-around great choice for scuba divers which is gluten-free, cruelty-free, and Fragrance-Free, perfect for protecting marine life.
8. All Terrain AquaSport Reef Friendly Sunscreen
All Terrain’s “Improved Formula” AquaSport Lotion is super smooth to apply, Dimethicone-free & doesn’t leave white residue on the skin. It’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes which makes it a great choice for athletes & anyone who spends time in the water.
Perfect for scuba diving! It’s made with reef friendly ingredients and is Oxybenzone-free, paraben-free, fragrance-free, therefore great for those with sensitive skin!
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By using “reef-safe” biodegradable ingredients, AquaSport was awarded “Editor’s Pick” by Sport Diver Magazine. Which is just one of the reasons we love it!
All-Terrain is a certified cruelty-free company, using natural mineral and, biodegradable ingredients and packaging made from recycled, recyclable, and/or biodegradable material.
9. MyChelle Dermaceuticals Sun Shield Clear Spray
If you would prefer a reef safe spray sunscreen then this is the best reef safe sunscreen for you. It is a clear Zinc based, the continuous spray goes on quickly and evenly and lasts for up to 80 minutes of water-resistant UVA and UVB full-spectrum sun protection.
It absorbs quickly so you wait less time before getting into the water! The formulas this product contains Linoleic Oil-rich Safflower Seed Oil to offer anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and healing support and Bentonite to absorb excess oil and impurities from pores.
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It’s vegan and reef-safe and also biodegradable; made without GMO, Gluten, Parabens, Petroleum, Phthalates, Silicones, Sulfates, Ureas, Artificial Fragrances, and Artificial Colors. Great reef-safe sunblock for scuba divers!
10. Waxhead Vanilla Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Stick
This product is different and comes in a stick! Although it takes a little more effort to spread, a little bit goes a long way! Once applied it stays on in extreme conditions and works like no other sunscreen.
It has true UVA/UVB protection against sunburn AND deep tissue damaging. This top-rated reef-friendly product by EWG in safety and best beach and sport making it a perfect fit for us scuba divers!
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This is a friend of the reef and approved for use in Hawaii. It’s made with only certified organic and mineral ingredients making it an ocean safe sunscreen! Because of its stick form, it won’t run or get into your eyes and is easily applied to only the areas you need it.
How to Protect Yourself and the Reefs
So how can people protect themselves from the sun, but not damage the coral reefs that surround us? Be reef friendly. As a visitor to the park and the coral reefs, you can reduce the risk of harming coral by taking a more “reef-friendly” approach when choosing and applying sun protection.
Here are some of the things that you can do;
#1 Read the label
Remember, just because a product is advertised as “reef safe” it doesn’t mean that it is. No product has been proven to be complete “reef-friendly” so it’s important to check the ingredients of the product. Avoid reef damaging substances such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, Butylparaben, and 4-methylbenzylidine camphor. These chemicals are toxic and have been shown to cause coral bleaching even at low levels.
#1 Apply at least 10 – 15 minutes before entering the water
This will allow more time for it to absorb into your skin. Another good tip when applying is to limit the areas where it is applied to the minimum.
#3 Cover up!
You can also keep yourself from the UV rays of the sun by covering up your skin. Clothes have evolved tremendously over the past years and there is a range of sun clothes designed to reduce UV exposure.
Keep yourself and the reef safe by following the advice from NOAA’s guide on the impacts of sunscreens on our coral reefs, marine life, and sea by purchasing a reef-safe suncream from our list.
As a reminder, here are our 3 most popular reef-safe sunscreen picks:
- Ideal for Everyday Use
- Recommended by SCF
- Paraben-Free
- Oxybenzone Free
- 4300+ Amazon Reviews
- All Natural Ingredients
- Chemical Free
- UVA/UVB Protection
- Oxybenzone Free
- Fragrance-Free
- Nourishes Your Skin
- Non-Greasy
Frequently Asked Questions
Now you have all the informed information to decide on the product that is good for you and the marine life. Please remember these facts and the chemicals to avoid those the lotions that contain them when you next travel. Oxybenzone and octinoxate are the two main culprits for killing of the reef and increasing the risk of climate change.
Does Sunscreen Damage Reefs?
So, does the use of sunscreens damage coral reef? The fact is some of them do. Recent research and testing show that a chemical in the cream may be contributing to the destruction of corals around the world, as swimmers who are trying to avoid the UV rays venture near reefs.
Some research shows when testing the effects of the chemicals awaken coral viruses causing them to become sick and then expel their life-giving algae and without this particular algae, the coral bleaching occurs (turns white), and in most cases, it then dies.
QUOTE* According to the U.S. National Park Service, it is estimated that currently, somewhere between 4,000 and 6,000 tons of sunscreen enters coral reef areas around the world each year.
What is reef safe sunscreen?
Reef safe sunscreen is a UV protector sun lotion that does not contain chemicals that are harmful to sea life. Chemicals such as Oxybenzone and octinoxate are contained in the others and are the main culprits, but with a reef-safe mineral lotion, you avoid most if not all of this damage.
The evidence the damage this chemical can do is so strong that Hawaii Gov. David Ige, signed the first bill in the country that will use the Hawaii sunscreen ban to restrict those containing these harmful chemicals, back in July 2018.
So what is the primary chemical culprit in them? Oxybenzone is the primary chemical culprit. This chemical is an ingredient used in many products by Neutrogena, Banana Boat, and Coppertone to name just a few.
How do you know if sunscreen is reef safe?
The only way to be certain that it is a reef-safe sunscreen is to read the label and see what ingredients it contains. Some manufacturers make the claim but do so by eliminating only some of the worst chemicals.
What sunscreen ingredients are not reef safe?
The sunscreen ingredients that are not reef safe are products with a high content of Titanium Dioxide as this does not biodegrade. Oxybenzone and octinoxate are also terrible for sea life and are the two chemicals in sunscreen Hawaii recently banned and are believed to cause coral bleaching.
4 comments
I use BurnOut Ocean as my reef safe sunscreen, it protects my skin and doesn’t damage the coral reefs!
I have been to dive centers where they recommend these products, in order to help protect the reefs. I personally use Sun Bum reef safe sunscreen.
Wow, I had no idea that sunscreen could damage coral reefs in this way.
Reef safe sunscreen is essential for scuba divers! I am going to share this list for others to see too, thanks for the info.