Waxhead Tinted Facial Sunscreen
Source: Waxhead Tinted Facial Sunscreen
Waxhead Tinted Facial Sunscreen is certified organic and is 100 percent toxin free. Its also biodegradable, reef safe, eco-friendly, cruelty-free, and does not contain petrochemicals. Its also free of oxybenzone and octinoxate. Its enriched with non-GMO vitamin E making it very moisturizing. A pack of two 1-ounce tubes costs $16.99.
says, Easy to spread and the tint is good so that the sunscreen doesnt look so white. I wore this to the beach without any make up over it- just a little lip color. Was protected from the sun, did not break out my skin, and my face felt very soft after wearing it. I will be buying more!
Waxhead Sun Defense Sun Nourishing Sunscreen
Waxhead Sun Defense Sun Nourishing Sunscreen is 100 % toxin-free sunscreen with SPF 30. It contains non-nano zinc oxide, certified organic extra virgin coconut oil, beeswax, and vanilla extract for natural fragrance. This biodegradable sunscreen does not contain gluten, soy, corn, GMO, or dairy products. It is suitable for sensitive skin as it is free from common allergens. This oxybenzone-free product offers broad spectrum SPF 30 sun protection. The sunscreen is thick but gets absorbed quickly into the skin. It contains antioxidants and moisturizing ingredients that protect and hydrate the skin. This product protects the skin from sunburn and premature aging and reduces the risk of skin cancer.
Pros
Sun Bum Broad Spectrum Spf 30 Premium Sunscreen Face Stick
Sun Bum Premium Sunscreen Face Stick has SPF 30 that protects your skin from UV rays. This sunscreen stick contains vitamin E that moisturizes the skin while protecting it from free radicals and premature aging. This oil-free, hypoallergenic sunscreen does not clog pores. It is gentle on sensitive skin. It is reef-friendly, cruelty-free, and does not contain parabens or gluten. It offers sun protection for up to 80 minutes in water for activities such as swimming. It is easy to apply and recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation .
Pros
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How Safe Is Reef Safe
If our goal is to have the smallest possible impact on the ocean, while providing ourselves the most possible protection, the answer is it isnt. In the same way, its hard to prevent chemicals and free-radicals from leaching into your skin after long term use.
From an ethical and utilitarian standpoint, we should rely on UPF clothing and placing other physical barriers between our bodies and the sun sunscreen should be used only as a last resort tactic. If Im being realistic though, standing in the sun feels good and Im going to keep using sunblock because Im heavily invested in my long term wellbeing.
As mentioned in our article above, theres a definite trend of products that are built with coral habitats in mind being as a whole better for our individual health. While Reef Safe doesnt completely solve the problem for us, its a great place to start.
If you already have a sunblock or you just bought one, leave a comment in the comment section below and share your experience with it.
Our Pick: Coppertone Ultra Guard Sunscreen Lotion Spf 70
*At the time of publishing, the price was $8.
Weve noticed stock issues with this item. If Coppertone Ultra Guard Sunscreen Lotion SPF 70 is unavailable, we recommend Banana Boat Light As Air SPF 50 Lotion as a substitute. Read more about the Light As Air sunscreen.
Coppertone Ultra Guard Sunscreen Lotion SPF 70, a chemical sunscreen that earned top marks in our testing, is a great choice for most people. It offers adequate SPF and broad-spectrum protection and is water resistant for up to 80 minutes. Its easy to apply and comfortable to wear, while still being affordable. It has no added fragrances. Although we could detect a slight sunscreen scent when we first applied it, after its been rubbed in, it doesnt really smell like anything, said Wirecutter social media strategy editor Sasha VanHoven, who was a member of our test panel and has been using Coppertone Ultra Guard consistently since. Its texture made it one of the easiest to apply of the sunscreens we tested. And it didnt turn white when we wore it running, as some sunscreens did.
One : It didnt feel overly greasy, and it rubbed in fine, no white residue. The reviewer concludes that it does the job its intended to do. We agree.
It comes in a packable, easy-to-grip, 8-ounce bottle with a seal-tight cap.
The active ingredients are avobenzone , homosalate , octisalate , octocrylene , and oxybenzone .
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Best Overall Sunscreen Stick: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Stick Face & Body Sunscreen
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen stick is useful for quick and mess-free application. The stick is oil-free and glides easily on the skin to provide sun protection. This broad spectrum SPF 70 sunscreen protects your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. It is formulated with Helioplex, a proprietary blend of oxybenzone and avobenzone for skin protection. This non-greasy, PABA-free sunscreen stick gives a matte finish and does not clog pores. Its lightweight formula provides sun protection for up to 80 minutes in water. It is recommended by dermatologists for both body and face.
Pros
How Are Sunscreen Rated
In this guide considered products based off of three criteria: protection, practicality, and environmental impact.
Protection = The sunblock significantly filtered out the suns rays and is water resistantPracticality = How widely available the product is, and factors regarding ease of useEnvironmental Impact = What sort of chemicals/minerals does this product employs
Beyond this, the Environmental Working Group publishes a yearly database cataloguing the specific chemical breakdown of a litany of sunblocks. Its a great resource if you have questions about a specific product that extend beyond the scope of this guide, or want to do some research on brands not listed here.
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Can I Bring My Own Sunscreen To Hawaii
Bishop said many refer to the adaptation as the Hawaii protocol in order to comply with the states new law. Under the law, visitors may still bring sunscreens with the banned chemicals into the state, but Bishop said many in a survey expressed they would prefer to buy ones deemed safe for the reef in Hawaii.
Kokua Sun Care Zinc Sunscreen Spf 50
Amazon
This SPF 50 sunblock contains 25 percent non-nano zinc oxide for 80 minutes of water resistance, a faint scent of coconut and vanilla, and 23 antioxidants to nourish the skin, including seven superfoods sourced from Hawaiian farms like Konared coffee fruit, macadamia nut oil, plumeria, spirulina, and noni juice, thus supporting local agricultural communities. Follow up exposure with the brands Healing Serum. It makes use of sustainably harvested anti-inflammatory sandalwood and kukui nut oil.
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Bare Republic Mineral Sunscreen Lotion
Amazon
Living up to the California companys name, the SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen Lotion feels barely there seconds after application, which is rare for zinc oxide-based toiletries. The white fades to nearly imperceptible, the hard-to-describe perfume is pleasant but not overpowering, and the finish far from the sticky category. Meanwhile, the brands Neon Sunscreen Sticks let kids and music festival goers add vibrant color and designs to their sunscreen routines. Bare Mineral also has an array of other mineral-based sunscreen sprays and creams.
Why Should You Always Use Biodegradable Sunscreen
The main focus on reducing pollution is to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Skip the plastic, opt for paper, and bring cloth bags to the grocery store. But theres other things that add to pollution, they just dont get enough media coverage to be common knowledge.
Sunscreen is a bigger problem than people think.
Regardless of how much you apply, some of it is going to wash off in the saltwater at the beach, and its not just going to magically vaporize into nothingness.
It flows through the water that flows through marine life gills, and it isnt good.
It pollutes, and for no good reason, this isnt exactly holding up to standards when you look at the biodegradable definition!
Were going to look over the different ways that it pollutes the water, how it affects coral reefs, and how to stop it.
Contents
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Dr Dennis Gross Skincare Sheer Mineral Sun Spray Spf 50
Heres another vegan spray . Its lightweight, sheer, and provides SPF 50 protection. Customers cant get enough of it. One reviewer writes, This is one of the best sunscreens Ive ever used. After shaking it very well, I spray it twice into my hand, disperse it between my hands and rub that into my face and neck. This product has no scent that I notice. It goes on rather slippy but it dries down to an almost powder finish in a few minutes. I used this for a week in San Diegoand Im VERY prone to burningand I didnt even get pink! Will continue to buy! And I love that the brand is cruelty-free!
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Which Sunscreens Are Coralreef Friendly
Biodegradable sunscreen, sunblock, and suntan oils are required for use in theCaribbean Sea of Mexico, including at Cancun, Playadel Carmen, Riviera Maya, Costa Maya, Cozumel, andat any local park like Xcaret, Xel Ha, Chankanaabor Garrafon.
See our Biodegradable Sunblock page for a full descriptionof what biodegradable sunscreen is, why it’s important,and where to buy it.
This page is an attempt to answeryour questions about what types of commonly foundsunscreens are safe for use on coral reefs and whichsunscreens are not. All the brands found inthe right column of this page are considered reef-friendly,and are acceptable for use in the Mexican Caribbean,as well as anywhere else in the world, particularlynear the reefs.
Things to Consider:
1) Does your brand say biodegradableon the label? If not, then it’s probably not. Even if it is, it might not get past Xcaret or XelHa. The usual brands like Coppertone, BananaBoat, Panama Jack and No-AD are not biodegradable.
2) What is the active ingredientof your brand? Does it contain PABA? If so, then it’s really bad. Does it containchemicals like Octinoxate or Oxybenzone? Thosehave been shown to promote viral infection in coralreefs. If it is Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide,then it is probably okay if it’s also biodegradableand doesn’t contain petroleum based oils.
Complete list of ingredientsto watch out for:
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Suntegrity Skincare Natural Mineral Body Sunscreen
Amazon
After losing her mom to skin cancer, Tricia Trimble channeled her grief into founding Suntegrity in 2010 from her Southern California apartment to offer a slew of products, including SPF 50 mineral powders and Impeccable Skin Sunscreen Foundation. All Suntegrity sunscreens start with broad spectrum-busting non-nano zinc oxide and then receive infusions of youth-preserving antioxidants. It was important to her that they also be reef-safe, vegan , safe for sensitive skin, made in the USA and cruelty-free. One of the brands hero products, the greaseless sweet orange-smelling SPF 30 Body Sunscreen, applies like lotion and is even a tad cooling thanks to jojoba, aloe, cucumber extract, and hyaluronic acid.
Raw Elements Eco Form Sunscreen
The Raw Elements brand is known for its all-natural ingredients and the Eco Form sunscreen mirrors the brands commitment to providing effective, gentle, and eco-friendly products. The Eco Form sunscreen boasts of balanced Physical UV protection thanks to Raw Elements proprietary Organic Eco-Shield Performance Technology. This sunscreen boasts of a hypoallergenic formula so its incredibly gentle and suitable for those with sensitive skin.According to the brand, this product is guaranteed all natural and safe from the usual sunscreen chemicals that harm the skin. And if you plan to do a lot of snorkeling or swimming, youll be glad to know that the Eco Form sunscreen is totally reef-safe!
As for the negatives, the consistency of this product is on the thick side so its not as spreadable as other sunscreens. We wish the consistency is spreadable so the product can be worked into the skin much more easily. Our advice is to store the product at room temp before using so the product doesnt go extra goopy. As far as effectiveness goes, this happy camper says the Eco Form sunscreen offers dependable sun protection that lasts:
No burns AT ALL even after being in the hot sun for 7hrs in Mexico- and even after swimming with the stingrays! I searched for many hours and a couple days for the best biodegradable sunscreen and I am very happy and satisfied with my pick! ????
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Reef Repair Suncream Spf 30 $15
This SPF 30+ Suncream from Reef Repair provides SPF 30 protection for adults and kids ages six months and over, and is 100% reef safe and nontoxic to aquatic plants and animals, including coral reefs. Made with natural and organic ingredients that are gentle on the skin, this water-based formula goes on easy and spreads evenly without leaving a white residue.
This is a fantastic cream! Not only is it reef-safe, it performs super well. Goes on like most sun screens you might be familiar with. Rub it in well and youre good to go for beach chilling, snorkeling, or diving. says Aboud in their product review.
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Raw Love All Natural Mineral Sunscreen
Amazon
Motivated by her background in ocean conservation and marine biology and a desire to live plastic-free, Jenna Davis started whipping up non-nano zinc oxide, cold-pressed organic and plant-based SPF 35 in her Maui kitchen a few years ago. Then she started selling her rockabilly mermaid-repped batches at farmers markets and it took off because, as it turns out, many others were looking for reef-safe broad spectrum coverage that didnt sting their eyes, went on smoothly and was so gentle it could be used on babies. Its minty sinus-clearing scent and recyclable aluminum jars are added bonuses.
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Sun Bum Mineral Broad Spectrum Spf 50 Sunscreen Spray
BEST SPRAY SUNSCREEN FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
Mineral sunscreens are great for sensitive skin because the sun-blocking ingredients wont absorb into the skin. The Sun Bum Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray relies on zinc oxide and titanium oxide to keep the sun from harming your skin without irritating your skin themselves.
It sprays well without clogging and is sweat- and water-resistant, though it goes on a little sticky and will leave some white tint. But its vegan and well worth it for sensitive skin. Writing this summer, one Amazon reviewer said, I am super picky about sunscreen and 99% of sunscreens irritate my skin and leave me with an annoying rash. This one did not irritate my skin at all, I love that it has absolutely no smell, and I didnt get burned after a day at the beach wearing it. My only complaint is that it leaves a bit of a white cast, is a little tricky to spread, and it feels a bit sticky, but I highly recommend it.
So go ahead and trust the bum. It wont let your sensitive skin down.
Sunscreen Ingredients To Avoid:
Trading in old sunscreen for reef safe versions. Photo: Cindy Ellen Russel / Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
- Avoid sunscreens containing petrolatum, commonly known as mineral oil, which takes years to biodegrade, and are known to be harmful or fatal to aquatic life and waterfowl.
- Avoid sunscreens with high content of Titanium Dioxide. This mineral does not biodegrade and is found to react in warm seawater to form hydrogen peroxide which is harmful to all sea life.
- Oxybenzone and , the two chemicals recently banned in Hawaii and are believed to cause coral bleaching.
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Supergoop Mineral Sheer Screen
Nordstrom
Woman-founded Supergoops wide selection of products comes in to save face, feet and the vast expanse in between. The brand has everything from pearlescent sunscreen that hydrates skin and acts as a makeup primer and acai-tinged lip balm, to a genius mineral powder to shade your part and exposed scalp spots . We highly recommend the Mineral Sheer Screen, a broad-spectrum SPF 30 powered by zinc oxide that, despite going on white, doesnt leave even a hint of ghostly sheen for everyday use.
Protect More Than Your Skin With Reef Safe Sunscreen
There you have it. While theres plenty of other brands capable of shielding the sun without damaging reef ecosystems, the aforementioned are among the best reef safe sunscreens on the market.
What are your thoughts? Have you tried one of the mentioned products? Head on over to our Facebook page and send us a message!
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Hello Bello Mineral Sunscreen Spray
CELEB-APPROVED
Walmart
Not only is this SPF 30 sunscreen from Kristen Bell and Dax Shephards company reef-friendly, paraben-free, phthalate-free, and plant-based, but its also a spray, which comes in a non-aerosol bottle. The push-down button system makes for a controlled delivery so it wont end up polluting the air or the sand. The only drawback is it contains only 14 percent zinc oxide so youll have to reapply more frequently. Pair with the DEET-free bug repellent and there will be no end to the earth-friendly non-toxic outdoor adventures this summer.
What To Do Instead
All of this, of course, doesnt mean you should abandon sunscreen, which provides essential protection against sunburns and skin cancer. And even the Key West and Hawaii bans dont apply to sunscreens prescribed by a doctor.
But there are some reef-friendly moves everyone can take.
If you plan to go into the water at the beach, the best way to protect both yourself and the environment may be to cover most of your body with UPF clothingor even just a plain old T-shirt, which previous CR testing has found to offer excellent protection. Youll still have to apply sunscreen to exposed skin, but youll need far lessup to half the amountthan you might if you were in a bathing suit.
From an environmental perspective, Downs says, thats a massive victory.
Mineral sunscreens with non-nanotized zinc oxide or titanium dioxide appear to be safer for coral reefs than chemical ones, according to the National Park Service. But, Downs says, its near impossible for consumers to decipher which products meet this bill.
And unfortunately, in CR’s sunscreen testing over the years, none of the mineral products weve tested offer both top-notch UVA and UVB protection and meet their labeled SPF, says Susan Booth, the project leader for our sunscreen testing.
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