One of the first items packed for a sunny destination is sunscreen, and with good reason! It is important to protect your skin from the sun’s rays, especially if you’re not typically exposed to much at home. While your choice of sunscreen is probably based on the SPF rating, there’s another important factor to take into consideration.

Sunscreen, as important as it is for us, is harmful to sea life. Oxybenzone is a common chemical used in sunscreen and is toxic to reefs, bleaching coral and killing it. As much as 6,000 tons of sunscreen enters coral reef areas a year!

While we’d never suggest skipping sunscreen, we encourage you to check out the ingredient list on your lotion of choice. Or even better, research an environmentally friendly alternative. Ingredients like titanium oxide or zinc are effective in sunscreen and aren’t harmful to our beloved corals.

Thank you, and happy swimming!