![]() Finally, it's always good to use products that cut back on single use plastic packaging, either by using containers that are reusable, have high recycled content or are made out of biodegradable plant-based materials like cardboard.Ĭheck the label! Make sure your sunscreen does not contain the following harmful substances on the "HEL list: It’s also advised to stick with lotions and avoid spray or misting sunscreens, especially those that contain titanium dioxide as it can be harmful to your health if inhaled. Be sure to use micro-sized (or non-nano) mineral sunscreens to avoid nanoparticles, as these smaller particles can be toxic in high concentrations. The size of minerals can also have an impact. It's important to actually check the “active ingredients” label on the back of your sunscreen or personal care product to ensure that reef-harming chemicals are not included. 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"? The only difference is the cosmetic feel on the skin.” So you’re pretty much good to go with a mineral-based option. “Both nano particle-a smaller particle size-and traditional zinc oxide sunscreens are both safe and effective, and both will be considered safe for reefs. “The term reef safe typically means that the sunscreen contains only mineral UV-blocking ingredients like oxide and titanium dioxide,” explains Joshua Zeichner, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. These ingredients form an actual physical block to shield skin from absorbing any rays (whereas chemical filters absorb UV and turn it into heat that’s released from skin). You’ll be able to find them by flipping the SPF tube over and looking for the active ingredients: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. To keep ocean life happy, the key is to find an SPF that uses physical UVA and UVB filters (as opposed to the chemical ones that have been connected to coral reef deterioration). So, using a “broad-spectrum” formula that covers UVA and UVB is more important than using a sunscreen with a high SPF.Marine Sanctuaries are home to some of the ocean’s most biologically diverse and culturally significant marine areas, and we need to ensure that these critical areas are protected from harmful chemicals, in addition to other damaging practices like oil and gas extraction UVA is linked to wrinkles and uneven skin tone and the more harmful forms of skin cancer. And given that most folks not only don’t apply enough to reach the SPF number or don’t reapply they are receiving far less protection than they understand.Īlso, SPF doesn’t provide you with any insight into UVA protection. The ultra-high SPF numbers have caused people to spend far more time outside than they should be. SPF is just a measure of UVB (Think “B” burn). This rule is still pending as the writing of this and has not been made into law. ![]() ![]() The FDA weighed in on this issue in 2019 and has proposed a limit of SPF 60+. Basically, you’re getting a marginal increase in protection. SPF 30 provides 97% protection from UVB and SPF 100 provides 99% coverage for UVB. EWG’s Skin Deep® is a cosmetics database that rates products based on potential hazards and health concerns.įirst, consumers have been led to believe that ultra-high SPF numbers like 70 and 100 provide much more protection than SPF 30. See how Think ’s mineral sun s creen compares to other similar brands : To help you make the best choices when choosing sun care, we recommend comparing your sunscreen options on EWG’s Skin Deep®. EWG’s Skin Deep® is a cosmetics database that rates products based on potential hazards and health concerns. To help you make the best choices when choosing sun care, we recommend comparing your sunscreen options on EWG’s Skin Deep®. We look to scientific research and data to ensure our products provide effective sun protection without causing harm to human and animal health or the environment. W hile other brands are slow to make formulas based on federal policy change s, we’re not waiting. While there is some regulation of sunscreen by the FDA, it is not currently thorough enoug h to ensure ingredients are safe and effective. Make Safer Sunscreen Choices with EWG’s Skin Deep ® Ratings
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