Imagine yourself on a beach; the sun is shining, the waves are brushing against the shore, and the hot sand is under your feet. A scene like this isn't unusual for a summer day, though there is an invisible threat lurking under the surface: your sunscreen. Every year, approximately 14,000 tons of sunscreen are washed into the oceans, contributing to the destruction of coral reefs and marine ecosystems. A single drop of oxybenzone, a common sunscreen ingredient, can harm coral reefs and marine life. Considering the number of people that go to the beach each summer, each one contributes to the growing ecological problem.
Sunscreen is essential for the protection of your skin. Prolonged exposure to UV rays (ultraviolet) can cause severe damage to your skin, including sunburn, premature aging, and an increased risk of skin cancer. However, the very ingredients that protect us from UV radiation can cause severe damage to marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs. This conflict between skin protection and environmental preservation highlights the urgent need for sustainable sunscreen solutions that do not compromise either our health or the planet's well-being. While sunscreen is indispensable for safeguarding our skin from harmful UV rays, its environmental impact, particularly on marine ecosystems, underscores the urgent need for eco-friendly alternatives that effectively protect both our health and the planet.
The Environmental Consequences of Conventional Sunscreens
The goal of using sunscreen is to protect your skin from UV rays and possible skin cancer. Most people don't consider the environmental impacts of putting on sunscreen. Sunscreen has two chemicals responsible for the damage to marine life: oxybenzone and octinoxate. Both of these chemicals can cause coral bleaching (coral bleaching is when the sunscreen affects how the coral photosynthesizes and produces energy, which causes the coral to turn white and can lead to its death). The chemicals can also stunt coral growth and damage coral DNA. Sunscreen can also cause deformities and affect marine life and reproduction systems.
Sunscreen also poses a large problem of packaging waste. Most sunscreen bottles are made out of non-biodegradable plastic. These plastics make their way into the oceans every year. The plastics break down into microplastics, which are easily ingested by marine life. The ingested plastic can cause internal injuries, blockages, and even death. The microplastics can release toxins into the food chain, affecting those that consume seafood. It is important to understand that while sunscreen is necessary for the protection of your skin, it can have major impacts on marine life.
What Makes a Sunscreen Eco-Friendly?
It's important to note that while sunscreen has a severe impact on the environment, it's vitally necessary for the protection of your skin. But the question is: How do you identify eco-friendly sunscreen? First, you have to identify the harmful ingredients found in most sunscreens. Here is a list of ingredients you should avoid:
Oxybenzone
Octinoxate
Octocrylene
4-methylbenzylidene camphor
PABA
Any nanoparticles or “nano-sized” zinc or titanium (if it doesn’t explicitly say “micro-sized” or “non-nano” and it can rub in, it’s probably nano-sized)
Any form of microplastic, such as “exfoliating beads,”
Triclosan
Now, how do we identify the ingredients we want in eco-friendly sunscreen? Here's a list of some eco-friendly ingredients:
Non-Nano Titanium Dioxide
Non-nano Zinc Oxide
Avoid chemical-based sunscreens.
It would be best to look for sunscreens that use the words reef-friendly and mineral-based. (Make sure you double-check the ingredients, as the word “reef-friendly” is not regulated by the FDA.)
Choosing the Right Eco-Friendly Sunscreen
When looking for eco-friendly sunscreens, it's paramount to research the products you're willing to buy. But if you're looking for a quicker fix than research, here's a list of eco-friendly sunscreen brands.
Ingredients: Zinc Oxide (Non-Nano), Vitamin C, Aloe Vera, Raspberry Seed
Ingredients: All natural, plant-based. Mineral Zinc Oxide, Shea Butter, and Sunflower Oil.
Ingredients: Natural Zinc Oxide, Organic Beeswax, Organic Black Tea, Natural Mango Butter
Ingredients: Zinc Oxide, Beeswax, Crude Carnauba Wax
Ingredients: All plant-based. Calendula, Green Tea, and Rose
Make sure you are aware of all the ingredients before using any of these sunscreens. Some of the ingredients may irritate sensitive skin.
There are many home alternatives to sunscreen. (Though homemade sunscreen can protect your skin against sunburn and irritation, it cannot protect you from the possibility of skin cancer.) Here's a list of DIY sunscreen alternatives:
Coconut Oil
Blocks about 20% of harmful UV rays.
Raspberry Seed Oil
Provides up to 50 SPF protection from UVB rays (the kind that causes sunburns).
Carrot Seed Oil
It has an SPF rating of up to 40.
Aloe Vera
Has an SPF rating of up to 20.
Wheat Germ Oil
Has an SPF rating of up to 20.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while sunscreen is crucial for protecting our skin from the sun's harmful UV rays, it also poses significant risks to marine ecosystems due to harmful chemicals and packaging waste. By choosing eco-friendly sunscreens with safe, non-toxic ingredients and sustainable packaging, we can effectively safeguard both our health and the environment. As we enjoy sunny days at the beach, let's be mindful of our choices and their impact on the planet, ensuring that our efforts to protect ourselves do not come at the expense of our precious marine life.