Reef-Safe Sunscreen by La Leyenda ECO-TOURS

Reef-Safe sunscreen by La Leyenda ECO-TOURS

(8 gram bottle)

In Mahahual Costa Maya we spend a ton of our time in the sun. We know how important it is to protect our skin from the sun's harmful UV rays. However we also spend a great deal of time among the coral and other marine life, snorkeling beautiful areas of the Great Mesoamerican reef.

As we are aware of the dangers of sun exposure to our own health, it’s also essential to be mindful of the impact our behavior, including sunscreen choices, can have on fragile marine ecosystems. While sunscreen is a vital tool for skin protection, certain ingredients commonly found in traditional formulations can pose significant risks to coral reefs and marine life.

In this article, we'll explore the types of sunscreens that are dangerous for coral reefs, highlighting the harmful effects of these ingredients and the importance of choosing reef-safe alternatives like our own for your next costa maya snorkeling experience!

Chemical Sunscreens

Practically every single traditional sunscreen that you have always known is a “chemical sunscreen”. They contain chemical UV filters such as oxybenzone (benzophenone-3) and octinoxate (ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate). These chemical compounds absorb UV radiation and prevent it from penetrating the skin.

However, when washed off into the ocean, these chemical UV filters can have detrimental effects on coral reefs.

Avobenzone 2.7%, Homosalate 6.0%, Octisalate 4.5%, Octocrylene 4.5%

Harmful Effects on Coral Reefs

Studies have shown that oxybenzone and octinoxate can:

• cause coral bleaching

• disrupt coral reproduction

• damage coral DNA

These chemicals can accumulate in reef ecosystems, leading to coral mortality, reduced coral growth, and increased susceptibility to stressors such as rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification. Additionally, oxybenzone has been linked to coral diseases and deformities, further endangering coral reef health.

Environmental Persistence

One of the reasons chemical sunscreens pose a threat to coral reefs is their persistence in the marine environment. Even in small concentrations, oxybenzone and octinoxate can persist in seawater for extended periods, continually exposing coral reefs to these harmful compounds. This prolonged exposure can have cumulative and long-lasting effects on coral reef ecosystems, exacerbating their decline and impairing their ability to recover from environmental stressors.

Other Harmful Ingredients

That’s right, there are more. In addition to oxybenzone and octinoxate, certain other ingredients commonly found in sunscreens can also pose risks to coral reefs. These include avobenzone, homosalate, octocrylene, and octisalate, which have been found to exhibit toxic effects on coral larvae and juvenile coral.

Parabens, preservatives commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products, have also been detected in coral reef environments and may contribute to coral bleaching and mortality.

Say NO to Spray Sunscreens

Spray sunscreens, although seemingly convenient, are some of the worst sunscreens to choose from, particularly if you are going snorkeling. Dermatologists recommend rubbing sunscreen into your skin, even if your spray sunscreen says this is unecessary.

Why? Because coverage is inconsistent. The only way for your spray sunscreen to try and live up to its effectiveness is to rub it in. Since many people don’t do this, a common result is simply saturating patches of our skin with these reef-damaging chemicals (who can really spray the center of their own back?)

Not only do these sunscreens include chemicals which are harmful to marine environments and coral, but they may also include chemicals which are harmful to you, too. Many spray sunscreens still include benzene, a chemical shown to be carcinogenic when inhaled. When spraying your benzene-laden-spray sunscreen on a windy day at the beach, everyone downwind gets the chance to inhale the chemicals with you. This is also true for spray sunscreens with titanium dioxide. While perfectly safe on your skin, it is a mineral not safe for your lungs.

So please, leave the spray sunscreens on the shelf.

Just say no.

Legislative Action and Bans

In response to growing concerns about the impact of chemical sunscreens on coral reefs, some regions have implemented legislative measures to restrict or ban the sale and use of certain sunscreen ingredients. For example, Hawaii passed a landmark law in 2018 prohibiting the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, with the aim of protecting coral reefs and marine ecosystems from further harm.

Choosing Reef-Safe Alternatives

To minimize the risks to coral reefs and marine life when snorkeling or swimming, it's crucial to choose sunscreen formulations that are labeled as "reef-safe" or "reef-friendly", but only after checking their ingredients. These sunscreens use mineral-based UV filters such as non-nano zinc oxide and non-nano titanium dioxide, which create a physical barrier on the skin and do not pose significant risks to coral reefs.

Additionally, opting for sunscreens that are free of harmful chemicals, fragrances, and preservatives can further reduce the environmental impact of sunscreen use.

Reef-Safe Sunscreen by La Leyenda ECO-TOURS

Our all natural, mineral sunscreen uses non-nano titanium dioxide as the active sunscreen ingredient, as well as a blend of natural oils from carrot, almond, coconut, shea, and wheat germ. It has an SPF 30 rating, which is recommended by most dermatologists.

NOTE: SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays, whereas SPF 50 blocks 98%

La Leyenda ECO-TOURS Reef-Safe Sunscreen applies smoothly and doesn’t leave the typical stickiness common for traditional chemical sunscreens. It also smells amazing, and it 100% hand-made in México.

So when planning your visit to Mahahual, stop by and get a bottle of your own.

Conclusion

While enjoying a snorkeling experience in Mahahual, it’s our responsibility to make informed choices that protect ourselves and the delicate marine environments. By avoiding sunscreens containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, and other harmful chemicals, and opting for reef-safe alternatives like La Leyenda ECO-TOURS Reef-Safe sunscreen, we can minimize our impact on coral reef health and contribute to the conservation of these invaluable marine habitats.

Let’s also remember that the safest sunscreen for coral reefs is NO sunscreen at all. So if you can, it is always better to wear SPF protective swimwear like rashguards and swimsuits that cover more of your skin.

Let’s make better choices that will lead to better health of our coral reef systems and that will minimize our impact on them, too.

Feel free to send us an email or leave a comment, and let us know if you’d like some of our Reef-Safe sunscreen on your next visit to Mahahual!

Sources

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/sunscreen-corals.html#:~:text=How%20sunscreen%20chemicals%20can%20affect,deform%20young%2C%20and%20even%20kill.

https://savethereef.org/about-reef-save-sunscreen.html

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2022/bills/SB2910_.HTM

https://hanaumabaystatepark.com/reef-safe-sunscreen/

https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/beware-of-benzene-shining-a-light-on-sunscreen-spray-contamination/

https://www.nbcboston.com/investigations/consumer/are-you-using-your-sunscreen-wrong-here-are-some-common-mistakes/3047816/#:~:text=It%20really%20needs%20to%20be,for%20it%20to%20be%20effective.