With an increasing number of tropical destinations prohibiting the use of harmful chemicals commonly found in traditional sunscreens, like oxybenzone and octinoxate, it has become imperative to prioritize the use of best reef safe sunscreen in order to protect aquatic wildlife. These environmentally friendly alternatives prevent coral bleaching while also providing the same level of protection and nourishment as regular sunscreens. Moreover, using reef-safe sunscreen in our daily routines reduces the risk of introducing damaging chemicals into water sources through our sinks and shower drains. 

Our team has conducted thorough research to identify 12 effective reef-friendly sunscreens. Whether you're an avid surfer or snorkeler, like swimming in the ocean waves, an adventure enthusiast, or just love being out in the sun, our curated selection ensures you'll find a suitable sunscreen for daily wear. You will also find some tips to assist you in making informed choices about reef-safe sunscreen so that you can enjoy optimal sun protection without compromising the environment.

Choosing reef-safe sunscreen is an important step towards protecting both your skin and the environment. Let's find out how to select the best reef friendly sunscreen for you.

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  Most Luxe Formula

  COOLA Organic Sunscreen SPF 50 Sunblock Body Lotion

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Protect the environment and your skin with one of the best reef-safe sunscreens. This sunblock by COOLA is vegan, gluten-free, and perfect for sensitive skin. The hydrating sunscreen is laced with a unique guava mango fragrance and shields your skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays. With SPF 50, this organic sunscreen is made with plant-derived oleosomes and antioxidants that also heal and repair your skin barrier. The beauty of this product is that it works extremely well in humid and tropical climates. 

2

Best for Daily Wear

Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen

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Crafted with care, this sunscreen spray from Sun Bum not only keeps your skin safe but also supports the preservation of precious coral reefs. Approved by dermatologist and Sonny, with its broad-spectrum formula, this sunscreen provides comprehensive defense against UVA and UVB rays. Enriched with vitamin E, this moisturizing sunscreen nourishes and hydrates your skin, leaving it feeling soft and rejuvenated. It's oil-free, water-resistant, and can be used on all skin types. The convenient spray application ensures effortless coverage, allowing you to easily protect every inch of exposed skin. It is vegan and complies with the Hawaii 104 Reef Act, making it free from octinoxate and oxybenzone—two ingredients known to harm marine ecosystems.

3

Most Affordable

Solimo Sport Sunscreen Lotion

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Next on the list is SPF 50 sunscreen from Solimo, an Amazon brand. Boasting a broad-spectrum formulation, it provides high protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays, ensuring your skin remains shielded from potential sun damage. Whether you're engaging in water sports, hiking, or simply enjoying a leisurely walk on the beach, this lotion stays put and provides lasting protection. Its non-greasy formula absorbs quickly into the skin. Made with a reef-friendly composition, this reef safe face sunscreen doesn't have octinoxate and oxybenzone, two common chemicals known to cause harm to delicate coral ecosystems.

4

Most Travel Friendly

Sun Bum Premium Day Tripper

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Perfectly sized for travel, the Sun Bum sun care pack is designed to provide you with extensive protection from the sun's rays. The moisturizing sunscreen with an SPF-30 potency and broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection feature acts as a shield against the sun's harmful rays, effectively preventing sunburn and reducing the risk of long-term damage to your skin. Being oil-free, it doesn't clog your pores. It also contains anti-aging properties. This bundle includes a moisturizing sunscreen lotion, a sunscreen lip balm, and a soothing cool-down lotion, ensuring that your skin stays nourished, protected, and rejuvenated throughout your day. It's Hawaii 104 Reef Act-compliant and a perfect combination of convenience and protection.

5

Best Mineral Formula

Thinksport SPF 50+ Mineral Sunscreen

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This water-resistant sun cream from Thinksport offers a high level of defense against the harmful rays of the sun. They are designed to meet the UVA and UVB protection needs of athletes, sportspersons, and individuals with high levels of activity. This hydrating serum spreads quickly, thereby providing instant protection. It is the first sunscreen to pass the requirements of Whole Foods Premium Care. You don't need to reapply this sunscreen after every few minutes, as it provides the highest water resistance per the FDA, offering continuous protection for up to 80 minutes in the pool or sea before it should be reapplied.

6

Best for Tanning

Hawaiian Tropic Island Tanning Sunscreen

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Sun-kissed lotion from Hawaiian Tropic combines the benefits of sun protection with a luxurious tanning experience, allowing you to bask in the sun's rays while keeping your skin nourished and safeguarded. Formulated with SPF 8, this reef safe suntan lotion provides a moderate level of sun protection, allowing you to develop a natural-looking tan while reducing the risk of sunburn. Enriched with cocoa butter, this sunscreen deeply moisturizes your skin, leaving it feeling soft, supple, and nourished. It's lightweight, gets soaked up easily, and does not leave greasy residues. Its reef-friendly formula ensures that your tanning adventures are in harmony with delicate marine ecosystems.

7

Best Natural Product

Reef Repair All Natural Sunscreen

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Next on the list is the Reef Repair sunscreen with SPF 50. This is 100% natural, providing in-depth protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays. It is easy to apply and penetrates the skin really fast. leaving your skin feeling soft and smooth. This sunscreen is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so you can enjoy water activities and sweat without worrying about getting burned. It is free from parabens, fragrances, and other potentially harmful substances, making it suitable for sensitive skin. Keeping in check the protection of coral reefs, it's made without oxybenzone and octinoxate.

8

Best for Sensitive Skin

Badger Mineral Sunscreen Cream

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Badger sunscreen with SPF 30 is all-natural and reef-safe, making it perfect for protecting your skin from the sun's harmful rays. Made with 98% organic ingredients, this sunscreen is free of harmful chemicals and safe for the environment. While it protects, it also moisturizes and nourishes your skin. It is also broad-spectrum, meaning it protects your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. It's water-resistant for up to 40 minutes, so you can enjoy the sun and water without worrying about getting burned. This sunscreen is easy to apply and leaves no white residue on the skin. It does not have any artificial fragrances. It is also hypoallergenic and considered safe for people with sensitive skin. It is reef-safe, ensuring that your outdoor adventures don't harm delicate marine ecosystems.

9

Most Organic Lotion

Raw Elements Face and Body Natural Sunscreen

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The certified organic sunscreen from Raw Elements provides protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays. This performance-driven cream lasts up to 80 minutes of sun exposure and doesn't run or sting your eyes. Its gentle moisturizing formula makes it safe for use by kids. This can be used on a regular basis. This sunscreen is made from natural ingredients. It is vegan and free from soy, gluten, and synthetic chemicals. It's packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to keep your skin hydrated. Being reef-safe, Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free, non-GMO, and biodegradable, this sunscreen is safe for us and the environment.

10

Best for Outdoor Activity

All Good Sport Sunscreen Lotion

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This high-performance All Good sunscreen is designed to meet the demands of active individuals, providing reliable and long-lasting sun protection. With UVA/UVB broad-spectrum SPF 30+ coverage, this sunscreen shields your face and body, reducing the risk of sunburn and premature skin aging. Its water and sweat resistance make it an ideal choice for sports and outdoor activities, providing uninterrupted sun protection even during intense physical activities. Infused with a blend of coconut oil, jojoba oil, and shea butter, it is super hydrating. The natural ingredients used, like green tea, rose hips, and buriti oil, actually repair sunburn and windburn-damaged skin. Its mineral-based formula, free from oxybenzone and octinoxate, is gentle on the skin and suitable for all skin types.

11

Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion

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With this pack of two Sun Bum, you'll have double the sun-kissed adventures without compromising on the well-being of your skin or the environment. With SPF 50, this sunscreen offers strong protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays. Its broad-spectrum formula ensures comprehensive coverage for the face and body. It is also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, making it perfect for swimming, surfing, and other water activities. The lotion is lightweight and non-greasy. It is also fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, making it suitable for all skin types. It's infused with enriching Vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals, which are the main cause of premature skin aging. 

12

Reef Repair Sunscreen SPF 30+

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This all-natural sunscreen from Reef Repair is the perfect travel companion, offering reliable sun protection in a compact size. With SPF 30+, it offers broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, thereby keeping your skin safe from the sun's harmful rays. With this sunscreen, you get up to 80 minutes of protection, whether you are in the sand, sun, sea, or surf. Being water-based, it's non-sticky and non-oily, and it easily spreads on your skin. The A+-grade cosmetic non-nano Zinc Oxide gives you and your family the strongest mineral sunblock UV protection available while playing in the sun. Its reef-friendly formulation minimizes the impact on delicate coral ecosystems, allowing you to enjoy the sun responsibly. Whether you're traveling to a tropical destination or exploring local beaches, this pack of two ensures you have ample sun protection wherever you go.

Here are some tips on how to select a sunscreen that is reef-safe/reef-friendly:

Check the ingredients

Look for lotions that have clear label markings as being reef-safe, coral-safe, or ocean safe sunscreen. Avoid products containing chemicals known to harm marine life. Opt for mineral-based sunscreens that use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredients.

Broad-spectrum protection

Do check if the sunscreen is providing broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Look for a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, for higher protection. Our contributor Dr. Zeeshan Afzal, MD - Welzo, an online healthcare platform, suggests using sunscreen generously and evenly to all exposed skin at least 15 minutes before sun exposure. He says, “It’s important to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sufficient SPF to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. It must be reapplied at least every two hours, and immediately after swimming, sweating, or towel drying. ”

Water-resistant

If you plan to swim or engage in water activities, choose a water-resistant sunscreen that won't wash off easily. However, it's important to remember that even water-resistant sunscreens need to be reapplied after a certain time.

Non-nano particles

Opt for sunscreens with non-nano mineral particles. Non-nanoparticles are generally larger and therefore are not easily absorbed by corals and other marine organisms.

Biodegradable and reef-friendly packaging

Many reef-safe sunscreens are now being packaged in biodegradable or recyclable materials to minimize their environmental impact. Look for brands that prioritize sustainable packaging and environmentally friendly practices.

Research reputable brands

Do some research on the brands you are considering. Look for companies that are committed to sustainability, reef conservation, and have a good reputation for producing high-quality reef-safe sunscreens.

Contributor: Dr. Zeeshan Afzal, MD, Welzo Medical Officer