Be sure you don’t harm the seas with your skincare! Try these organic reef safe sunscreens instead.

By Katy Caric

Come on, say it with me: “sunscreen is the foundation of great skin.” I’ll bet you’ve heard that a million times, am I right? Sure, sunscreen has many benefits, from preventing a painful sunburn to protecting your skin from harmful, cancer-causing UV rays. But we’re learning some worrying stuff about sunscreen, too.

First of all, it’s blocking essential vitamin D from penetrating your skin. Vitamin D is a potent cancer-fighter, and while absorbing loads of rays may increase your skin cancer risk, NOT taking in some sun can increase your risk of other cancers, like breast cancer. So try to get 15 minutes of unprotected sun daily.

Secondly, there are nasty chemicals in sunscreen that can actually increase your cancer risk (think: parabens) and accelerate ageing because they attract free radicals to your skin. There worst culprit for this is called oxybenzone – watch out for this, and nanoparticles on the label. No one knows what nanoparticles can do to your health…but we reckon it’s nothing good!

And guess what? These same chemicals and nanoparticles that harm your skin are badly damaging something else that’s beautiful and natural, too: the coral reefs. Every time you take a dip into the sea, if you’re slathered in chemical sunscreens, you’re contributing to the death of coral reefs and other marine life. And once you’re finished using it, let’s not forget the impact of that plastic tube on the oceans, too!

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here, we’ve selected 10 of the best biodegradable, organic reef safe sunscreens that are often packaged in or from recycled materials so they won’t hurt the coral reefs – OR your health!

10 Organic Reef Safe Sunscreens

Suntegrity is a mineral based sunscreen that doesn’t prevent skin cancer with toxic chemicals that can just cause other types of cancer. This lotion is light, mineral-based, and easily wearable. As a serious reminder about the importance of sunscreen, the package carries a little note to remember the founder’s mother, who lost her life to melanoma.

Best for: All skin types Price: $24

Typical sunscreens can feel a little icky, and everyone dreads the paper-white look that you get when the cream doesn’t absorb all the way. So, Coola to the rescue! This a light and durable formula that withstands sweat and water and goes on without a trace. Plus, Coola is quite organic, with 70% of their ingredients certified organic by the USDA.

Best for: Sensitive skins – this has zero fragrance added Price: from $26

Sometimes, it takes a big life event to look at the world in a new way. Kate Solomon started seeing children’s skincare lines as toxic once she became pregnant and realized that those products were full of ingredients she would never put on her son’s skin.

Her first beauty line was made with high quality, non-toxic ingredients that even took allergies into account. Babo’s sunscreens use soothing organic oils and non-nano zinc to protect the skin of everyone in your family, no matter what their skin type or age.

Best for: Babies or children: it’s really gentle! Price: $21

Skincare starts with sun care, and every dermatologist will tell you that sun care should be a part of your daily routine, just like brushing your teeth and washing your face. Green People make a wonderful, certified organic sunscreen that can be used every day, and it’s practically pure enough to eat!

There are plenty of varieties to choose from, including children’s formulae, unscented and sport sunscreens. No matter which one you choose, it’s guaranteed to never block pores, so will be perfect for using on both the body and face.

Best for: The whole family, as there’s a broad variety of sunscreens here Price: From $30

Formulated with organic ingredients, this sunscreen by Juice Beauty is water resistant, too. Its protection is thanks to an all mineral zinc SPF, with broad spectrum sun protection for the ultimate sun and sport fun. Juice Beauty makes a few organic reef safe sunscreens, but we love this one, which is made especially for swimming and sweating.

Best for: Avid swimmers, divers, surfers… Price: Just $21!

Drunk Elephant’s Umbra™ Sheer sunscreen won the Allure Best of Beauty Award in 2015 and continues to be one of the best organic reef safe sunscreens available. The lotion is formulated with antioxidants and moisturising oils that are basically like food for your skin. The part that protects your skin is zinc oxide and doesn’t have chemicals or silicones.

Best for: Dry skin Price: Around $33

Everything Naturopathica makes serves a purpose for your body. The sunscreen is meant to protect you every day from UV rays – and it protects the coral reefs, too, thanks to its all natural ingredients, including deep sea enzymes, green tea extract and acai fruit oil.

This SPF is reef-friendly for other reasons, too: Naturopathia tubes use 70% post-consumer recycled plastic, and their cartons are made of post-consumer waste recycled fibres.

Best for: Those who spend a lot of time in the sun – there’s no higher SPF than 50! Price: $58

All Good is aptly named, as it has only 6 ingredients that are ‘all good’ in their organic reef safe sunscreen – they even harvest some of them from their own farms! Their SPF 50 sun block is also water resistant, making it perfect for dips in the sea, surfing, or exercising outside. And the best part? Of all the organic reef safe sunscreens here, this is definitely the least pricey one.

Best for: Water babies and sports lovers Price: Only 10 bucks!

Mineral-based sunscreens are the best go-to when looking for natural sun protection, and Lovea’s is great for very dry skin. It feels a bit sticky when on, due to the high organic Monoi oil content, but you know what? I rather like it – I feel it gives me a glow!  Their SPF 30 sunscreen provides amazing protection and uses natural titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to block both UVA and UVB rays.

Best for: Really dry skin Price: Around $25

Made from certified all-natural ingredients, this buttery lotion provides UVA-UVB broad-spectrum protection in a super convenient, reusable tin. It’s non-nano, water resistant beyond 80 minutes, vegan friendly and highly moisturizing, too. We love that it’s suitable for the body and the face! It’s really all you need for summer.

Best for: Convenience. This little tin is perfect for popping into your purse. Price: $19

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