Your sunscreen matters

Type an ingredient below and we’ll tell you if it’s #ReefFriendly or not!

What’s in your sunscreen?
Hidden
ingredient
Zinc oxide (non nano particle)
Non Nanoparticle Zinc Oxide offers the most effective UVA/UVB broad spectrum sun protection in the world. The key word here is Non-NANO. Nano sized particles of zinc or titanium dioxide are microscopic, can be consumed or absorbed by marine life, and might be disruptive to reef growth processes. Non-nano Zinc Oxide has no evidence of hormone disruption and is a physical sun blocker, meaning it is not absorbed through the skin.
Titanium Oxide (non nano particle)
Titanium interacts with oxygen to form titanium oxide -- a physical blocker of UVA/UVB rays (not a chemical one)! Traditionally, this ingredient is found in mineral sunscreens and other skincare products to provide broad spectrum protection with little harm to human health or the environment.
Oxybenzone
This is one of the most common chemical filters found in sunscreens and personal care products worldwide. Oxybenzone chemically interferes with UV's ability to damage our skin by absorbing into our skin. Scientists have detected oxybenzone in mother’s milk and presume it is present in nearly every American. The chemical damages coral DNA by inhibiting its ability to reproduce, and makes coral more susceptible to bleaching. The harms of this endocrine disruptor have urged the state of Hawaii to place a ban on any sunscreens that include this ingredient.
Octinoxate (also known as Octyl methoxycinnamate or ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate)
The most widely used UVB absorbing ingredient in sunscreen. This chemical UV filter can rapidly be absorbed by skin, causing hormone disruptions. The most commonly affected hormone by oxtinoxate in humans and wildlife is estrogen. Additionally, have you ever heard of free radicals? Oxtinoxate is known to produce molecules like these that can have significant damage to living cells and tissues, which could lead to premature aging. Yikes! The state of Hawaii has recently passed legislation that bans sunscreens with octinoxate in them.
Octyl Methoxycinnamate (also known as Octinoxate or Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate)
The most widely used UVB absorbing ingredient in sunscreen. This chemical UV filter can rapidly be absorbed by skin, causing hormone disruptions. The most commonly affected hormone by oxtinoxate in humans and wildlife is estrogen. Additionally, have you ever heard of free radicals? Oxtinoxate is known to produce molecules like these that can have significant damage to living cells and tissues, which could lead to premature aging. Yikes! The state of Hawaii has recently passed legislation that bans sunscreens with octinoxate in them.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (also known as Octinoxate or Octyl Methoxycinnamate)
The most widely used UVB absorbing ingredient in sunscreen. This chemical UV filter can rapidly be absorbed by skin, causing hormone disruptions. The most commonly affected hormone by oxtinoxate in humans and wildlife is estrogen. Additionally, have you ever heard of free radicals? Oxtinoxate is known to produce molecules like these that can have significant damage to living cells and tissues, which could lead to premature aging. Yikes! The state of Hawaii has recently passed legislation that bans sunscreens with octinoxate in them.
Avobenzone
Avobenzone is used in most sunscreens due to its broad spectrum properties. However, this chemical filter is sort of like a “gateway” ingredient to other more harmful chemical ingredients. Avobenzone protects most against UVA rays but only for about 30 minutes, leaving brands no other option but to add stabilizing yet harmful ingredients like octocrylene to their formulas. If you have sensitive skin, you should especially avoid this ingredient! Avobenzone is known to have a relatively high rate of skin irritation for those with sensitive skin.
Homosalate
Almost half of all sunscreens in the United States include homosalate -- a hormone disruptor for men and women. According to EWG, the compound disrupts estrogen, androgen, and progesterone. The sun causes homosalate to break down into harmful byproducts that then have a more direct entryway into your skin. Not to mention, Homosalate is also linked to enhancing the absorption of pesticides in the body.
Octisalate
Although further research on this colorless liquid needs to be done, it’s better to be safe than sorry. We vote octisalate as a chemical ingredient to avoid when looking for #ReefFriendly sunscreens. The chemical’s oily consistency adds water-resistance properties to sunscreen formulas, and aids in the absorption of UVB rays. When octisalate is in a product, there’s a pretty good chance that other harmful chemicals - like oxybenzone and octinoxate - are too. Japan has even restricted its use in certain beauty products… be sure to avoid!
Octocrylene
This chemical compound is unfortunately added to a lot of sunscreens to assist with their water-resisting properties. If you have sensitive skin, you should especially avoid this ingredient! Octocrylene is a viscous, oily liquid that is thought to have moisturizing effects on skin, but is frequently reported as a skin irritant.
Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate)
Vitamin A… doesn’t sound so bad, does it? In reality, when retinyl palmitate is added to skincare products like sunscreen, it can have destructive impacts on your skin. FDA studies have shown the ingredient may actually speed up the development of skin tumors and lesions when mixed with sunlight (the exact opposite of what you’d want in a sunblock!).
Phthalates (also known as ‘FRAGRANCE’ on a sunscreen label)
Brands rarely use the word phthalates in their ingredient list -- instead, they’ll use ‘fragrance’ or ‘artificial fragrance’ in its place. Keep an eye out for these terms! Phthalates can damage the liver, kidneys, lungs, and reproductive system according to animal studies. They are linked with deformed sex organs in newborn boys and early puberty in young girls, and are unfortunately found in skincare and household items everywhere.
4-methyl-benzylidene camphor (AKA Enzacamene)
A UV filter not approved as an active ingredient for sunscreen in the U.S., but listed as an inactive ingredient in some products. European researchers cite concerns over thyroid toxicity, hormone disruption, and recommend the chemical not be used in sunscreen. Endocrine disruptor; is an organic camphor derivative that is used in the cosmetic industry for its ability to protect the skin against UV, specifically UV B radiation. Since more research needs to be done, it’s best to steer clear of this chemical.
Methyl paraben
Red alert! This paraben is an anti-fungal agent that is often used in cosmetics and personal-care products to prevent them from spoiling on the shelf. Preservatives like these are shown to be endocrine disruptors by mimicking estrogen and messing with hormones. Steer clear of any ingredient that ends in ‘-paraben’ (Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben).
Ethyl paraben
Red alert! This paraben is an anti-fungal agent that is often used in cosmetics and personal-care products to prevent them from spoiling on the shelf. Preservatives like these are shown to be endocrine disruptors by mimicking estrogen and messing with hormones. Steer clear of any ingredient that ends in ‘-paraben’ (Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben).
Benzyl paraben
Red alert! This paraben is an anti-fungal agent that is often used in cosmetics and personal-care products to prevent them from spoiling on the shelf. Preservatives like these are shown to be endocrine disruptors by mimicking estrogen and messing with hormones. Steer clear of any ingredient that ends in ‘-paraben’ (Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben).
Butyl paraben
Red alert! This paraben is an anti-fungal agent that is often used in cosmetics and personal-care products to prevent them from spoiling on the shelf. Preservatives like these are shown to be endocrine disruptors by mimicking estrogen and messing with hormones. Steer clear of any ingredient that ends in ‘-paraben’ (Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben).
Triclosan
Triclosan is an ingredient added to products as an antibacterial agent. It is linked to endocrine toxicity in humans and has caused gut health concerns in studies with mice. More research is being done on this chemical, but even the FDA’s report on triclosan is unsettling. Moral of the story: avoid avoid avoid.
Phenoxyethanol
There is limited data available for phenoxyethanol today but it is frequently used as a “fragrance” ingredient and preservative in personal care products (like sunscreen)! The EWG views it is a moderate health hazard and recommends avoiding it… so you shouldn’t chance it.

YES!

Titanium Oxide (non nano particle)

Titanium interacts with oxygen to form titanium oxide — a physical blocker of UVA/UVB rays (not a chemical one)! Traditionally, this ingredient is found in mineral sunscreens and other skincare products to provide broad spectrum protection with little harm to human health or the environment.

YES!

Zinc Oxide (non nano particle)

Non Nanoparticle Zinc Oxide offers the most effective UVA/UVB broad spectrum sun protection in the world. The key word here is Non-NANO. Nano sized particles of zinc or titanium dioxide are microscopic, can be consumed or absorbed by marine life, and might be disruptive to reef growth processes. Non-nano Zinc Oxide has no evidence of hormone disruption and is a physical sun blocker, meaning it is not absorbed through the skin.

NO!

Oxybenzone

This is one of the most common chemical filters found in sunscreens and personal care products worldwide. Oxybenzone chemically interferes with UV’s ability to damage our skin by absorbing into our skin. Scientists have detected oxybenzone in mother’s milk and presume it is present in nearly every American. The chemical damages coral DNA by inhibiting its ability to reproduce, and makes coral more susceptible to bleaching. The harms of this endocrine disruptor have urged the state of Hawaii to place a ban on any sunscreens that include this ingredient.

Your sunscreen matters

Type an ingredient below and we’ll tell you if it’s #ReefFriendly or not!

Titanium Oxide (non nano particle)

Zinc Oxide (non nano particle)

Oxybenzone

Octinoxate (also known as Octyl Methoxycinnamate or Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate)

Octyl Methoxycinnamate (also known as Octinoxate or Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate)

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (also known as Octinoxate or Octyl Methoxycinnamate)

Avobenzone

Homosalate

Octisalate

Octocrylene

Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate)

Phthalates (also known as ‘FRAGRANCE’ on a sunscreen label)

4-methyl-benzylidene camphor (AKA Enzacamene)

Methyl paraben

Ethyl paraben

Benzyl paraben

Butyl paraben

Triclosan

Phenoxyethanol

Take the #Reeffriendly Pledge

Will you join them?

RESOURCES

Chemicals In Sunscreen Are Harming Coral Reefs, Says New Studys

Hawaii is the first state to ban the sale of sunscreens with octinoxate and oxybenzone in them

Impacts of Sunscreens on Our Coral Reefs

Lathering Up with Sunscreen May Protect Against Cancers

CRITERIA

NO to Chemical Suncreens & the Awful Eight

NO to Toxic Preservatives and Additives Parabens, Pthalates, Triclosan, Microbeads (plastic)

YES to Zinc Oxide:

YES to 3rd Party Testing:

Octinoxate
(also known as Octyl Methoxycinnamate or Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate)

Octyl Methoxycinnamate
(also known as Octinoxate or Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate)

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
(also known as Octinoxate or Octyl Methoxycinnamate)

NO to Toxic Preservatives and Additives
Parabens, Pthalates, Triclosan, Microbeads (plastic)