As per the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the most common sunscreens contain chemical filters. These products typically include a combination of two to six of the following active ingredients: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate. Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. EWG even rates products on their environmental impact.
One of the reasons for coral reef’s fatality is sunscreen. The sunscreen that you apply on your skin does not stay on your skin if you go in the water. It washes off and enter the homes of these precious species. Not just coral reef, green algae, sea urchins, fishes, mussels, and dolphins are also affected.
Tips
- Choose sunscreens with chemicals that don’t harm marine life.
- Wear clothing to block the harmful rays.
- Seek shade when it is the harshest out instead of putting on a ton of sunscreen.
- Choose mineral based sunblocks.
- Avoid spray type sunscreens to avoid spraying them in the surroundings.
- Avoid nano-particles in suncreens.
My sunscreen contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Everyone is free to wear sunscreen, but what’s in your sunscreen?
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