For decades, applying sunscreen was summer holiday rule number 1 – because UV light causes skin cancer and the radiation is particularly dangerous in the water. The problem is: this kind of protection against sunburn endangers marine life, because even waterproof sunscreen is only partially waterproof, which means that several thousand tons of sun cream end up in our oceans every year.
And many of its components are extremely toxic to aquatic organisms. The highly sensitive ecosystem of coral reefs is particularly endangered and the public is only gradually becoming aware of this problem.
A threat to human health and the environment
Sunscreen with chemical UV filters works by penetrating the skin (a welcome side effect is that they are absorbed by it very well). They absorb the dangerous UV radiation and convert it into harmless thermal energy. This is very convenient, but it can be harmful to your health: depending on the substances, such chemical UV filters can decompose and cause skin irritation and allergies, and some are even suspected of having a hormonal or carcinogenic effect. Therefore, it is not allowed to use them in natural cosmetics.
The number of synthetic UV filters is constantly increasing: Octocrylene has established itself on the market, replacing benzophenone-3, which has since been phased out. However, it is also considered a danger to the ecosystem, because the water-insoluble substance is hardly degradable and can, therefore, accumulate in organisms and on surfaces. In addition to octocrylene, oxybenzone and octinoxate, as well as parabens, are criticized for bleaching corals.
By the way: Hawaii is the first state in the US to ban the sale of sunscreen containing the coral-harming chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate. The new law goes into effect on January 1, 2021. According to the National Park Service, 14,000 tons of sunscreen enter coral reefs every year.
There is a lack of comprehensive studies
The logical alternative? Use eco-sunscreen – at least at first glance. Mineral sun protection do not contain chemical filters, but work mechanically, reflecting the dangerous UV radiation like tiny mirrors and thus making sure that the radiation cannot even reach our skin. So, instead of being absorbed by the skin, they form a kind of protective layer. The widespread active substances zinc and titanium were regarded as harmless for a long time, at least for humans. In the meantime, however, it has become clear that the nanoparticles they contain also pose a threat to our health and marine life. Up to now, there are not many comprehensive studies on the effects of these frequently used cosmetic ingredients. So there is an urgent need for more research. It is therefore particularly pleasing that the environmental hazard many sunscreens pose is a subject of discussion more and more frequently –thus gradually coming to the attention of the public.
How can we protect ourselves from the sun?
One thing is clear: UV protection is still very important. And the matter of sunscreen is admittedly a difficult one. This makes it all the more important to consider its ingredients – for our own health and for the environment. Especially if you want to swim in the sea, you should check carefully whether your sunscreen contains substances that are proven to be harmful to the environment. It is best not to apply any sunscreen directly before bathing in the sea, not even (supposedly) waterproof cream, but rather reduce the time you spend in the water.
The skin has its own way of protecting itself from the sun – depending on the type of your skin it can last between 10 and 30 minutes or more. If you stay in the water for a longer time, for example when snorkeling, put some clothes on. Choosing neoprene and lycra instead of light swimwear at 30 degrees Celsius in the shade may sound strange at first, and tanning fanatics, in particular, might be appalled. But, hey: the dying of corals and the risk of skin cancer for a flawless tan – is it worth it?
Coral-friendly sunscreen
These two Green Pearls® hotels set a good example: in the Maldives and on Koh Samui, sun protection is a must. At the same time, the corals there are an undisputed highlight and snorkeling is very popular. This is a dangerous combination because snorkelers just have to use a sunscreen with the wrong ingredients to endanger the spectacular reefs. That is why Gili Lankanfushi and The Tongsai Bay offer their guests a coral-friendly alternative to sunburn and long-sleeved swimwear – with their “Reef safe” sun protection products, which according to the manufacturer are free of harmful substances and the controversial nanoparticles.
Natural cosmetics are always a good idea – in this blog post you can read why:
Is sustainable tourism on the Maldives even possible? Read on:
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Thanks for sharing this very well-written and worth-reading article.
Wish to see more in the coming days.
from the dangers of sun exposure, it can have the opposite effect on life under water. It is estimated that 14,000 tons of sunscreen end up in the oceans each year. And this is not only from those of us who like to swim in the sea. The sunscreen that you rinse down the drain when you shower can eventually find its way into the ocean. In addition, the convenient aerosol sprays can spread sunscreen particles across the sand. When the tide comes in, these chemicals can get washed out to sea. But what exactly is all the fuss about? And why are some destinations taking such drastic measures? Is this day-to-day product really a threat to our reefs?
i’m so glad this is becoming common knowledge! If just one person reads this and changes their sunscreen consumption, the impact would be massive.
So true! We hope more and more people learn about this and change their sunscreen consumption. That’s why we also regularly update this post 🙂
It’s so important to stay safe out there in the sun but also be mindful of our impacts in the water, it’s rarely a thought people have when buying sunscreen, but is important that we share this knowledge
That’s so awesome that those hotels are offering coral-friendly sunscreen to their guests! Well done!
That’s great, isn’t it? However, what we think is even more important is that people themselves know about the topic and harm sunscreen can have on the environment. There’s still a long way to go for this.
Great read! I’m currently on the hunt for reef friendly and plastic free sunscreen (that’s still effective). Any suggestions? I know some people make their own but I’m not overly confident in my ability to do so ????
Hi Jennifer,
that’s great! Yes, we’re also always on the hunt for good reef-friendly sunscreen! I tried one from the German company Weleda last summer and it’s effective, but makes your skin very white 😉 I do know one from Speick (also German) as well and will try that one next summer. However, I don’t know if they ship outside Germany. Let us know if you have found something else, we could integrate some tips in this blog post then.
Best Hanna