Top 5 Reef-Safe Sunscreens of 2024

Let’s talk about coral reefs and how you can help protect them, even when you're just trying to enjoy a sunny day at the beach.

Many people don’t know this but coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean floor while also being vital to the survival of 25% of marine species, providing essential habitats and protection. They provide essential habitats and protection, giving marine creatures a home and keeping them safe.

Sadly, the NPS says that 10% of reef damage is caused by harmful chemicals in sunscreens. That means there’s about 14,000 imperial tons of sunscreen entering the ocean each year. So, switching to reef-safe sunscreens is going to be critical to help preserve these fragile and dying ecosystems.

You might be wondering what “reef safe” sunscreens actually are. The truth is, there’s no official regulation or accreditation for them, so you’ll need to do a bit of homework yourself. Don’t worry, it’s not too hard – just check the ingredients!

You want sunscreen that includes/excludes the following ingredients:

Includes: 

• Zinc Oxide 
• Titanium Dioxide (nothing else!)

Excludes (avoid at all costs): 

• Oxybenzone
• Octocrylene
• Avobenzone
• Benzophenone-1
• Benzophenone-8 
• OD-PABA
• 4-Methylbenzylindene camphor
• 3-Benzylidene camphor
• Homosalate
• Octinoxate
• Octisalate
• Nanoparticles

Because there are so many ‘greenwashing’ brands on the market, it’s important to know which products are actually reef-safe and won’t cause harm to the ocean. ‘Greenwashing’ is a term used for brands that are slapping labels on their products while only getting rid of 1 or 2 harmful ingredients listed above. That’s why it’s important to take the necessary steps and extra initiatives to ensure you’re buying the right products. 

To make things easier for you, we’ve handpicked some brands that make truly reef-safe sunscreens. These companies are committed to both human and environmental health, and we think you'll love them as much as we do.

Here’s how we pick and choose products:

• We do our research! We carefully sift through customer reviews to make sure what we’re recommending is top notch quality outside of the screen and consumers like you agree too.
• Hands-on testing: we evaluate each product’s performance, durability, ease of use, and other critical factors that are also evaluated in the long-term.
• Each brand has a mission dedicated to human-beings like all of us and an environmental impact that will change the world in the long run. 
• We mostly tend to lean towards brands that you probably haven’t heard of - the underdogs that are doing the most and not getting all the recognition they deserve.

Aethic 

Aethic's founder, Allard Marx, invites everyone to dive into a love for the ocean with a splash of curiosity! The company looks beyond the labels and “greenwashing” with its patented eco-friendly formula that ensures the safety of coral reefs around the world. Plus, every purchase helps support The Going Blue Foundation, adding a little more blue to our beautiful oceans.

Blue Lizard 

Blue Lizard Sunscreen hatched in sunny Australia, where the tough climate and strong UV rays demand top-notch sun protection. The brand has traveled the globe with its reef-safe formula, ditching oxybenzone and octinoxate to keep our reefs vibrant and colorful. Now, the brand’s line of sunscreens is among the best and most popular on the market!

Thinksport Sunscreen

Thinksport Sunscreen believes in keeping things real and honest about reef-safe sunscreens. They don't make unverified claims; instead, they offer a clear ingredient list so you can check out the reef-safe goodness yourself (remember to check the list of ingredients to avoid above). By carefully choosing the right ingredients and avoiding harmful chemicals, Thinksport has created one of the best reef-safe sunscreens out there.

Kokua Sun Care

This Hawaiian brand is all about using natural antioxidants to shield your skin from the sun. When Hawaii banned reef-harming ingredients in sunscreens, this brand hit a home run with its fantastic ingredient list. All their sunscreen ingredients come from plants grown in Hawaii’s nutrient-rich volcanic soil. On their website, they break down each ingredient, explaining how it helps with sun care and skin care, making it easy to see why their products are so special.

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Badger

Badger is another organic brand that is passionate about spreading the word about Reef Safe Sunscreens. They clearly lay out a comprehensive list of ingredients they use and explain their philosophy behind the formula. And in 2020, two Badger sunscreens were tested by the Haereticus Environmental Laboratory and found free of harmful ingredients, earning an early Protect Land & Sea Certification

Curated for eco-conscious consumers like you 

We chose these brands because we did the research, sifted through tons of customer reviews, and even did hands-on testing. These brands also have strong missions to make a positive impact on the environment and human health, making them some of the best brands on the market. Next time you soak in the sun, you can feel great about protecting both your skin and the beautiful coral reefs!