It's World Ocean Day on the 8th June, and with sustainable beauty a widely-discussed topic, there's never been a better time to look at eco friendly sunscreens for summer.
Why should you choose eco friendly? suncare?
It's estimated that 14,000 tons of sunscreen end up in oceans and coral reefs every year from the products we apply onto our bodies. Oxybenzone in particular is one of the worst culprits, poisoning coral reefs in a similar way to how we would see everyday pollution; by bleaching the coral, it disrupts its growth and reproductive abilities, leaving young corals deformed and stunting new growth.
In Hawaii, sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate are set to become a thing of the past, and we're expecting even more American states and countries around the world to follow suit, meaning there's never been a better time to invest in more natural SPF formulations.
What should I look for in eco friendly sunscreens?
- Look out for mineral-based SPF formulations instead of chemical ones. Key ingredients include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are better for the ocean than chemical ones. Take a look at our mineral SPF guide here.
- Stay away from any sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate - they're on their way out and very damaging to the oceans.
- Where possible, go a step further and look for eco friendly sunscreens free from other chemical nasties, such as parabens, petrochemicals and silicones.
5 of the best eco friendly sunscreens
