At first glance, Sun Bum looks like your typical sunscreen brand. They have all the sunscreen staples like SPF 50, water resistant, and Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB Protection. However, they differentiate themselves with their “no-parabens, no phthalates, no retinyl palmitate, no oxybenzone, no octinoxate” claim. But what does that mean for the environment?
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In particular, is Sun Bum Reef Safe?
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Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB Protection just means that it filters or blocks both UVA and UVB rays. UVB are the rays that cause sunburns, while UVA penetrates deeper, causing premature aging and wrinkling of the skin. Oxybenzone is a common active ingredient in sunscreen that has been linked to endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity, allergies, and cellular damage. Additionally, oxybenzone is an eco-toxin as it acts as a coral bleaching agent.
Active ingredients
Sun Bum sunscreen lotions have Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5%, and Octocrylene 2.35% as their active ingredients.. Avobenzone is a synthetic compound that protects against UV radiation by absorbing ultraviolet light. However, it can also be broken down by sunlight, limiting its efficacy. Homosalate is a salicylic acid ester that works as a UV filter by absorbing ultraviolet light before it reaches the skin.
Octisalate is another UV Absorber that helps protect the skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Octocrylene is a chemical sunscreen agent that helps stabilize avobenzone while protecting against UVA and UVB rays.. Together, these create a non-nano mineral avatar of zinc oxide 13.6%. Zinc oxide is a naturally occurring mineral that provides true broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays.
If you are looking for reef-safe sunscreen, Sun Bum may not be the best option as its main active ingredient – zinc oxide – has not been deemed eco-friendly by government agencies such as Haereticus Environmental Laboratory. Though oxybenzone has not been outright banned in Hawaii or Australia (yet), we recommend avoiding the topical application of products containing this compound if you plan on swimming near reefs or, in general, avoid contact with this substance as it can be detrimental to your health… You might want to try sunscreens that use titanium dioxide as their main active ingredients, such as Badger or Maelove’s The Glowmaker..
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Conclusion
In conclusion, we do not recommend Sun Bum for reef goers as its main active ingredient – zinc oxide – has not been deemed eco-friendly by government agencies such as Haereticus Environmental Laboratory. Though oxybenzone has not been outright banned in Hawaii or Australia (yet), we recommend avoiding the topical application of products containing this compound if you plan on swimming near reefs or, in general, avoid contact with this substance as it can be detrimental to your health. You might want to try sunscreens that use titanium dioxide as their main active ingredients, such as Badger or Maelove’s The Glowmaker.
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