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What Is Reef-Friendly & Reef-Safe SPF And Why Is It Important?

Reef-Friendly or Reef-Safe SPF refers to sunscreens that are formulated with ingredients intended to minimize harm to coral reefs and other marine ecosystems.  Many traditional sunscreens often contain ingredients that can be dangerous to marine ecosystems, contributing to coral bleaching and negatively impacting marine life.

Importance of Non-Nano Zinc Oxide

Non-Nano Zinc Oxide and regular zinc oxide are both forms of the same mineral, but the key difference lies in the size of the particles.  The importance of choosing Non-Nano Zinc Oxide include:

Organic & Sustainable Ingredients Each ingredient is sourced for its high sustainability p

Reduced Environmental Impact: Studies suggest that nano-sized particles in sunscreens may be ingested by marine organisms, potentially harming aquatic life. The larger particle size of non-nano zinc oxide reduces the likelihood of absorption by marine organisms, minimizing negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems.

Reduced Potential Health Concerns: Concerns exist about the absorption of nano-sized particles into the bloodstream through the skin. Non-nano zinc oxide, with larger particles, partially addresses these health concerns.

Effective UV Protection: Non-nano zinc oxide, despite its larger particle size, still provides effective UV protection by reflecting and scattering UV radiation, preventing sunburn and skin damage.

Broad-spectrum Protection: Non-nano zinc oxide offers valuable broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays, making it a key ingredient in sunscreens.

Nano particles can lead to coral reef damage and bleaching

NOAA's Classification of Harmful and Safe Ingredients For Marine Life:

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Unsafe Chemicals To Marine Life

Marine Life Friendly Ingredients

  • 3-Benzylidene Camphor

  • 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor

  • Octocrylene

  • Benzophenone-1

  • Benzophenone-8

  • OD-PABA

  • Nano-Titanium Dioxide

  • Nano-Zinc Oxide

  • Octinoxate

  • Oxybenzone

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  • Non-Nano Zinc Oxide

  • Non-Nano Titanium Dioxide

Courtesy of NOAA

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