If
you’re
planning
a
trip
to
a
place
with
water
and
sun,
of
course
you
want
to
pack
sunblock
to
protect
your
skin.
But,
some
sunscreens
contain
chemicals
that
can
be
harmful
to
the
delicate
ecosystem
of
the
ocean.
So,
if
you
want
to
protect
your
skin,
and
the
environment,
it’s
important
to
look
for
products
that
contain
certain
ingredients.
That’s
why
we’ve
rounded
up
a
list
of
the
best
reef-safe
and
reef-friendly
sunscreens
that
you
can
feel
confident
wearing
on
your
next
vacation.
Let’s
break
down
what
you
should
look
for
and
get
shopping
What
does “Reef-safe”
or “Reef-friendly”
Sunscreen
Mean?
Sunscreens
that
are
called “reef-safe”
or “reef-friendly”
typically
do
not
contain
oxybenzone
and
octinoxate,
two
common
UV-blocking
chemicals
which
have
been
shown
to
cause
damage
to
coral
reefs,
and
the
state
of
Hawaii
has
even
banned
the
sale
of
sunscreens
containing
these
ingredients.
However,
these
terms
are
not
regulated
or
managed
by
any
organizations,
so
you
can’t
always
trust
products
that
say
they’re “safe.”
Reports
have
shown
that
additional
chemicals,
like
octocrylene,
homosalate,
avobenzone
and
oxybenzone,
may
also
contain
damaging
effects,
so
read
your
labels.
None
of
the
picks
below
contain
any
of
these
ingredients.
What
Else
to
Consider
When
Choosing
a
Sunscreen
Skin
cancer
is
one
of
the
most
common
cancers
in
the
United
States,
according
to
the
American
Association
of
Dermatology,
so
it’s
important
to
reduce
your
risks
and
look
for
sunscreen
with
an
SPF
15
(at
least).
Additionally,
consider
the
water-resistance
of
your
sunblock.
A
sunscreen
that
stays
on
your
skin
longer
is
less
likely
to
wash
off
when
you’re
swimming.
So,
keep
on
scrolling
for
the
best
reef-safe
and
reef-friendly
sunscreens
that
will
have
a
positive
impact
this
Earth
Day
and
beyond.
Protect
your
skin
(and
the
ocean,
too),
and
enjoy
your
time
in
the
water.
Style
