Ride the Sunshine Wave: Choosing Eco-Friendly Sunscreens for a Greener Tomorrow

Spring is here, and nature is putting on a dazzling show!

The warm sun is calling us outdoors, and it’s time to enjoy sports, hikes, and beach days.

But while soaking up the sunny vibes, protecting your skin with sunscreen is essential to keep harmful UV rays and skin cancer at bay.

Here’s the catch—many sunscreens can harm the environment.

The Hidden Impacts of Sunscreens

Back in 2008, scientists found that certain CHEMICALS in sunscreen, like oxybenzone, octinoxate among others, can bleach coral reefs, leading to the loss of these vibrant marine habitats, disturbing reproduction and unbalancing marine ecosystem. Moreover, they can disrupt endocrin system of humans.

In 2014, a new study shows that nanoparticles of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide can react with sunlight harming phytoplancton, a micro marine plant, important source of food for small fishs, shrimps and whales.

The key to truly eco-conscious sun protection lies in NON-NANOPARTICLES at all—the safest options for marine ecosystem and human bodies.

How does Sunscreen affect the Environment?

When we’re out sweating during outdoor sports, sunscreen can wash off into the water.

Some chemicals in it can be absorbed through the skin( in the case of chemical sunscreens) and detected in urine within 30 minutes of application. Thus, they enter sewers or septic tanks when people flush the toilet or wash off sunscreen in the shower.

This way sunscreen ingredients can make their way into rivers, lakes, lands, and oceans. From there, they harm marine organisms like fishes and corals and wild animals.

Even the tiniest nanoparticles in sunscreens can damage coral reefs by causing oxidative stress and coral bleaching.

Plus, chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate are proven to disrupt the health and reproduction of marine species and can cause injuries in human bodies.

Sunscreens come in two types—let’s take a closer look:

Chemical Sunscreens:

These absorb UV rays to protect your skin. While they’re super common, their active ingredients (like oxybenzone, octinoxate, butylparaben and others) are major culprits in marine life damage and can cause endocrin disruption in human bodies.

These chemicals can even harm coral DNA, making them less resilient to rising ocean temperatures.

Physical Sunscreens:

Composed with mineral ingredientes, i.e. zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, these create a protective layer that reflects UV rays.

Ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are safe for the environment, if WITHOUT NANOPARTICLES.

Nanoparticles in the composition of sunscreens, can be toxic to coralreef, fish and other marine organisms, and, as explained above, can affect phytoplanctons, an importante source of food to marine life.

So, an eco-friendly sunscreen is only healthy for the environment if it is not made up of nanoparticles.

Pro Tips for Eco-Friendly Sunscreen Choices

Want to keep your skin protected and the environment happy?

Follow these simple guidelines:

1. Choose a sunscreen without nanoparticles in the formula

2. Avoid Harmful Chemicals: Steer clear of sunscreens with ingredients like Oxybenzone, Benzophenone, PABA, camphor, Methoxycinnamate, Octinoxate, Octocrylene, homosalate, and octisalate. Always check the label!

3. Say No to Spray Sunscreens: While they’re convenient, spray sunscreens waste product and pollute the air and water.

4. Opt for Plastic-Free Packaging: Help reduce ocean&land plastic pollution by choosing sunscreens with biodegradable packaging.💙☀️💚