Australia is known for its beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters, but did you know that some of the ingredients in traditional sunscreens can be harmful to the ocean's delicate ecosystem? That's why it's important to use reef safe sunscreens that are free from harmful chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate. In this blog post, we'll explore the best reef safe sunscreens in Australia.
With the Great Barrier Reef in danger and sunscreen being one of the biggest threats to its survival, Australians need to be extra vigilant about what kind of sunscreen they use. As you shop for the perfect beach bag for your next holiday, don't forget to check out our list of the best reef safe sunscreens in Australia.
But have you ever wondered what exactly "reef safe" means?
The term 'reef safe' is usually used to describe sunscreens that don't contain ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which have been shown to damage the corals. But there are other factors to consider as well. For example, whether or not a sunscreen contains nanoparticles, which can also be harmful to corals.
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Reef safe sunscreen is a sunscreen that's truly safe for the environment.
The ocean is a delicate ecosystem and reefs are part of it. Reefs are home to over 500 species of fish, thousands of species of plants, and countless more creatures. They're part of the food chain, and they provide shelter for many animals marine life needs to survive. Many of these creatures are at risk because of pollution and other dangers humans have brought into the oceans. Reef safe sunscreen has been developed with this in mind - to help protect coral reefs from the effects of sun damage while still protecting you from harmful UVA/UVB rays.
Reef safe sunscreen uses non nano zinc oxide as its main ingredient, so it doesn't break down easily into smaller particles that can be harmful to corals or other marine life when they're washed off your skin during swimming or other activities in water that might cause you to sweat or rub against something else (like sand). It also has antioxidants in it that help protect against free radicals that can cause damage to your skin cells and DNA over time - which means you'll be getting an extra layer of protection when you use this sunscreen!
If you're a newbie to sunscreen, you may have heard that there are two main types: chemical and physical.
Physical sunscreens use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to shield your skin from UV rays. Chemical sunscreens use any combination of avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, and oxybenzone - ingredients that work by converting UV rays into heat. This causes the rays to release from your skin rather than penetrate it.
But what does that mean for coral reefs? Corals rely on symbiotic relationships with zooxanthellae algae that live within their tissue. These algae provide the corals with nutrients they need to survive and thrive - but they also contain chemicals that can damage coral DNA if they're not removed carefully before being applied topically. Research has demonstrated that bleaching (which causes corals to expel their zooxanthellae) and DNA damage can occur rapidly even with extremely low concentrations of chemical UV filters in water surrounding corals. Chemical UV filters induce the lytic viral cycle in corals, essentially triggering them to self destruct. Studies have shown increasing rates of coral bleaching and DNA damage correlated with increasing levels of oxybenzone.
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Studies have linked common UV blocking ingredients to coral bleaching. Here is a list of ingredients to avoid when buying reef safe sunscreen:
Additionally, the ingredients homosalate and octisalate might be harmful to marine life. Other products you may want to screen for and avoid for various reasons include retinyl palmitate, formaldehyde, glycol, propylene glycol, petrolatum, petroleum, phthalate, sulfate, talc, or mineral oil.
When we swim or bathe, sunscreen washes off and finds its way into our waterways. Sadly, the environmental impacts of all this normal sunscreen washing into underwater environments are severe, and researchers say it can adversely affect marine life in the following ways:
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If you're an Australian living in Australia, you've probably had more than a few instances of getting sunburned and wondering why. It's not that you're some kind of slow learner - it's just that the sun here is different than the sun in other countries. You're used to being able to leave the house at 7:00 AM without putting on sunscreen and still be totally fine by noon. But here? Not so much.
And while we know that slathering yourself with SPF50 before every outing is probably not good for your skin anyway, we also don't want you to suffer needlessly because you didn't understand why your skin is burning up when you go outside!
There are a lot of things to consider when you're trying to protect your skin from the sun. You want to avoid getting burned and stay safe in the sun, but you also don't want your sunscreen to damage the environment.
Luckily, there are many reef safe sunscreens in Australia that are made with ingredients that won't harm marine life or coral reefs.
Reef safe sunscreens are a great option for those who love to snorkel, scuba dive, or spend time in the water. They're also great for anyone who wants to avoid harming the planet.
So what are reef safe sunscreens made of? The most common ingredients are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These ingredients work by deflecting the sun's rays so they can't penetrate your skin and cause damage. They also have a high SPF rating, which means they provide excellent protection from UVB rays (which cause sunburn).
It turns out there are plenty of reef safe sunscreen options available that will keep you safe while protecting the environment at the same time! Here are our top brands when it comes to reef friendly sunscreen in Australia.
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You know you're supposed to wear sunscreen when you're at the beach, but did you know that 14,000 tons of sunscreen end up in oceans around the world each year?
Hawaii currently regulates two ingredients found in sunscreens: oxybenzone and oxtinoxate. These chemicals are believed to cause coral bleaching. Unfortunately, there is no standard definition of what makes a product "reef friendly," so consumers may be unsure if they're buying a product that is safe for ocean life. But don't worry! Ocean Australia sunscreen is formulated in compliance with Hawaii's regulations and are free of oxybenzone and oxtinoxate!
Ocean Australia is committed to protecting the world's oceans, and they're proud to be able to say that their mineral sunscreen is not only safe for you, but also for your favourite coral reefs.
They use zinc oxide as our active mineral ingredient, which is a non toxic mineral that shields skin from the sun's harmful UV rays. The main concern with chemical filter sunscreens is their potential to damage ocean life and threaten coral reefs in ways that active minerals like zinc oxide have not been shown to do.
What's the one thing you know you need to do for your skin? Put on sunscreen. And here's the problem with that: most sunscreens are heavy, greasy, and leave a white cast. They can block pores, clog pores, cause breakouts...it's a lot to worry about.
And then there's Eco by Sonya Face Sunscreen SPF 30! This sunscreen is so amazing that we literally don't know where to start - so we'll just start with what makes it so great: it uses natural ingredients, it rubs clear into your skin and doesn't leave a white cast, and it's perfect for acne prone and sensitive skin because it's non comedogenic (won't clog pores). Plus, it contains antioxidants like vitamins A, C & E that work wonders on aging skin.
Eco by Sonya sunscreen is also vegan (no animal ingredients), cruelty free (no animal testing) and reef safe (it doesn't contain oxybenzone). It comes in green packaging with no synthetic fragrances or dyes.
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You've heard it before: "Slap on some sunscreen!" But what if we told you that there's a better way to protect your skin? What if we told you that this way is actually good for your skin?
Wotnot Natural Face Sunscreen is Australia's leading natural face sunscreen and primer to protect you against sun damage. Thanks to the clever inclusion of COSMOS approved plant collagen, Wotnot's unique formula is packed with age defying ingredients like plant collagen which have been proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by up to 16% when used daily for 8 weeks. This natural sunscreen is perfect for everyday use because it's lightweight, rubs in easily, and doesn't leave behind a white cast - making it ideal for use under makeup. And since it's a physical sunscreen (meaning it contains zinc oxide), you don't need to worry about absorbing unnecessary chemicals into your bloodstream.
Wotnot sunscreen doubles as a makeup gripping primer so you can wear it everyday for every occasion. Plus it has 2 hours water resistance - perfect if you're going swimming or spending time around water!
SunButter Skincare, is a brand new generation of sun care that is skin and earth conscious. A sunscreen that won’t give you chemical induced breakouts or stinging eyes. A skin safe and reef safe formula you actually enjoy putting on.
You will fall in love with zinc oxide as your new UV blocker for its natural healing qualities on sensitive, inflamed or damaged skin. Say goodbye to chemical sunscreen breakouts and stinging eyes forever! And keep our oceans and waterways healthier at the same time.
SunButter was founded by two marine biologists with a dedication to create the most effective, environmentally gentle and reef safe sunscreen formula on the market, packaged plastic free.
SunButter sunscreen is reef safe, rubs in clear, contains no nano particles and is no sunspheres (nano plastic particles) certified. All that, while made in Australia in a solar powered factory.
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People4Ocean's SPF50 award winning sunscreen is all about protecting the most fragile skin, including children (3 months and over) and adults with sensitive skin types.
P4O sunscreen is lightweight, mineral based cream that provides high UVA/UVB protection for your skin without leaving a greasy residue behind. Infused with spa grade essential oils and organic coconut oil, this cream moisturises and protects your skin with every use.
People4Ocean don't dilute their sunscreens - they keep them rich and concentrated so you can apply just the right amount to your skin. This means you'll only need to use a pea size amount at first and rub it evenly over your body before heading out into the sun.
Made in Australia, cruelty free, $0.5 donated to reef conservation - this formula is all about sustainability in every way possible!
In conclusion, there are many reef safe sunscreens available in Australia that are free from harmful chemicals and safe for the ocean's delicate ecosystem. Whether you're looking for a natural and organic sunscreen or a vegan and cruelty free option, there's a reef safe sunscreen out there for you. So next time you're heading to the beach, make sure to choose a reef safe sunscreen to protect your skin and the ocean.
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