

- HAWAIIAN REEF SAFE SUNSCREEN HOW TO
- HAWAIIAN REEF SAFE SUNSCREEN SKIN
- HAWAIIAN REEF SAFE SUNSCREEN FREE
Here are three ways to ensure you protecting the reef. Unfortunately the term “reef friendly” is not regulated, so you can’t always trust products with this description. How do I know if a sunscreen is “reef friendly”? As reef ecosystems collapse, already at-risk species may face extinction.

They also support organisms at the base of ocean food chains. Coral reefs provide shelter, spawning grounds, and protection from predators. Thousands of marine animals depend on coral reefs for survival, including sea turtles, fish, crabs, shrimp, jellyfish, sea birds, starfish, and more. Sunscreen pollution is especially problematic in popular snorkeling locations, where sunscreen is washing off dozens or possibly hundreds of people each and every day. When you apply sunscreen with these chemicals and then swim or snorkel, sunscreen washes off your body and contaminates the reef ecosystem. Warming seas due to climate change are also a factor in coral bleaching. If conditions don’t improve and the algae doesn’t return, the coral dies. Oxybenzone can also cause coral bleaching, a phenonmenon that happens when beneficial algae vacates a coral, leaving it a white color. Scientific testing shows that oxybenzone and octinoxate may stunt the growth of baby corals. We need to ensure that these critical areas are protected from harmful chemicals. The Hawaiian islands are home to a very special network of deep coral reefs containing the most abundant collection of endemic species found in any region of the world. Helping corals and the marine environment

HAWAIIAN REEF SAFE SUNSCREEN HOW TO
We’ll help you figure out how to easily make good choices.īut first, we’d like to share a little more about why reef safe products are important, so you can join our community in protecting the marine environment. Also many stores still carry products with banned ingredients. However, there are a few that are labeled reef friendly that aren’t. The good news is, there are plenty of reef safe sunscreens and we are going to help you identify the best ones and where to get them. Since the law went into effect January of 2021, you might be wondering what this means when you visit Maui and how hard it is to find reef safe sunscreen on island. And, since they don’t contain any harmful chemicals, you can feel good knowing that you’re not contributing to the decline of the coral reefs.Hawaiʻi made worldwide news in May of 2018 when it passed the nation’s first law banning the sale of sunscreen products containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, two common sunscreen ingredients that have significant harmful impacts on Hawaii’s marine environment. If you’re planning on visiting Hawaii, make sure to pack a reef safe sunscreen! There are plenty of options available on the market, and most of them are just as effective as traditional sunscreens. In addition to being better for the environment, reef safe sunscreens are also often gentler on the skin.
HAWAIIAN REEF SAFE SUNSCREEN FREE
Reef safe sunscreens are also usually free of other harmful ingredients like parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances.
HAWAIIAN REEF SAFE SUNSCREEN SKIN
Because they don’t absorb into the skin, they are less likely to cause irritation or skin reactions. They work by reflecting and scattering sunlight away from the skin, rather than absorbing it like chemical sunscreens do. These minerals provide broad-spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays. The most common reef safe sunscreen ingredients are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Reef safe sunscreens are those that do not contain any chemicals that are harmful to coral reefs. Coral bleaching occurs when the coral is exposed to high levels of oxybenzone and octinoxate, and it causes the coral to turn white and eventually die. Oxybenzone and octinoxate are two of the most common offenders, and they have been linked to coral bleaching. These chemicals can be found in many popular sunscreens, but they are particularly harmful to the delicate coral reefs. Oxybenzone – Octinoxate – Parabens – Phthalates – Sulfates – Nanoparticles If you’re planning on visiting Hawaii in the near future, make sure to pack a reef safe sunscreen for all outdoor activities! In response to this problem, the state of Hawaii has recently passed a law banning sunscreens that contain oxybenzone and octanoates – two chemicals that are harmful to the coral reef. However, in recent years these reefs have been dying off at an alarming rate, and scientists have found that one of the main causes of this decline is sunscreen chemicals. Hawaii is known for its beautiful coral reefs, and tourists from all over the world come to enjoy their natural beauty.
