Coral reefs attribute great beauty and biodiversity to some of our oceans. Also, they are not just appealing to the eye; they are responsible for regulating the carbon dioxide levels of the ocean, preventing erosion, and strengthening the sea floor. Unfortunately, these mosaics of corals, plants and animals are being threatened by things as small as the sunscreen you use to protect yourself from the sun. According to Craig Downs, executive director of “Haereticus Environmental Laboratory,” sunscreen pollution is a huge threat to the organisms that live in the ocean, especially coral reefs.
Now, I am not discouraging you from using SPF when you go to the beach. In fact, I am a sunscreen enthusiast. I am just saying that it is really important to pay attention to the chemicals and components of your sunscreen.
Downs has said in an interview with the Rolling Stones that there is no sunscreen that is 100% reef safe, and that our best bet is to use long-sleeved garments with UV protection. However, he understands that it is impossible to convince the whole world to wear heavy clothes to the hot beach. Instead of that, he suggested that the best sunscreens that can be used are ones that do not contain oxybenzone and octinoxate, the chemicals that harm our reefs the most. Additionally, he insisted that any toiletries or products that you wear to the beach are petrolatum/mineral oil-free, as these are not biodegradable.
This following list shows the Rolling Stone’s sunscreen recommendations (none of these contain chemicals such as oxybenzone or octinoxate!):
Supergoop! Mineral Sheer Sunscreen
Badger Clear Zinc SPF 40
Stream2Sea Sport Sunscreen
Countersun Daily Sheer Defense
REN Clean Skincare Clean Screen Mineral SPF 30
All Good Sport Sunscreen
Raw Love All Natural Mineral Sunscreen
Suntegrity Skincare Natural Mineral Body Sunscreen
Kokua Sun Care Zinc Sunscreen SPF 50
Bare Republic Mineral Sunscreen Lotion
Now that spring break is coming to an end and summer is approaching, I encourage you to look into these wonderful products that will help preserve the beauties of our oceans, and I encourage you to spread this information to help the organisms with no voice.
Commenti