CERTIFIED REEF SAFE SUNSCREEN SKIN

So, it makes its sunscreens with non-nano zinc oxide, organic coconut oil, beeswax, raw shea butter, jojoba oil, vitamin E oil, frankincense oil, and elderberry.

CERTIFIED REEF SAFE SUNSCREEN SKIN

Little Hands’ goal is to preserve your skin and the environment. Who doesn’t love chocolate? Check Price at Amazon Little Handsīorn on the beaches of Oahu, Little Hands is Hawaii’s only locally made, plastic-free sunscreen approved by the FDA.

The tint in the sun paste is courtesy of cocoa powder, so it smells like chocolate. Its sunscreens are thick, providing maximum protection but the sun paste can be rubbed in a bit if you work at it. It includes organic sun paste that is thick and well suited for the face, as well as an organic sun paste that does wonders in protecting the body. Manda’s line of suncare products is short but thorough. The addition of renewable Thanaka allows Manda to minimize its environmental footprint.

Thanaka has been used for over 2,000 years as a natural sun protectant. The most unique ingredient on its list is Thanaka, a sustainable, regenerative ingredient from the bark of a tree native to Myanmar. Raw Elements has been my go-to reef-safe sunscreen for years due to the fact that it’s reasonably priced, rubs in fairly well, and contains ingredients I recognize.Ĭheck Price at REI Check Price at Amazon Manda (Photo/Sarah Lee)įounded by a group of lifelong surfers, athletes, and outdoor enthusiasts, Manda is on a mission to provide organic, food-grade suncare solutions that work.Īll of its products feature high-quality, natural ingredients you recognize, with non-nano zinc oxide being the active ingredient. Its range of products includes tinted and natural face and body sunscreen, sunscreen sticks, kids’ creams, and “lip rescue.” Many of its sunscreens come in plastic-free packaging. Made in the USA, Raw Elements is Non-GMO Project approved, Leaping Bunny (no animal testing) certified, EWG #1 rated, and Natural Products Association certified. Additionally, Raw Elements’ sunscreens are hypoallergenic and contain no fragrances, preservatives, or chemicals. All the products contain certified natural and organic ingredients. And 23% non-nano zinc oxide is the only active ingredient. Raw Elements USAĭeveloped by an ocean lifeguard with a vision of creating a natural sunscreen, Raw Elements is committed to education, environmental awareness, and sun safety. Here are our favorite reef-safe sunscreens on the market. So, be sure to double-check the ingredient list. It can be helpful to look for reef-safe labels, but some companies are guilty of false advertising. You’ll want to make sure that the minerals are non-nano to ensure that they are safe for the corals. Instead, look for sunscreens whose active ingredients are minerals like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, and natural oils for skin hydration. When shopping for reef-safe sunscreen, you’ll want to avoid ingredients like oxybenzone, oxtinoxate, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, and avobenzone. (Photo/Sarah Lee) Reef-Safe Sunscreens: What to Look For Unlike chemical sunscreens, mineral sunscreens use natural minerals as the active ingredients, so they are healthier for both your body and the reefs - and, any other natural bodies of water where you swim. Mineral sunscreens, on the other hand, form a layer on top of your skin to reflect the UV rays away from the body. The solution: out with chemical lotions and sprays, in with mineral sunscreen.Ĭhemical sunscreens offer protection by dissipating UV rays, however, they can absorb into the skin. Not only can they contribute to coral bleaching, but they can even affect humans’ endocrine or hormone systems in the body. Oxybenzone and octocrylene are active ingredients in most traditional sunscreens.

Certified reef safe sunscreen