Since January 1st, 2021, the sale of sunscreen containing the coral-harming chemicals Oxybenzone and Octinoxate is banned in Hawaii – the first state in the US to take such action! Although this doesn’t mean that visitors and/or residents can’t trade in such harmful sunscreens, it’s still a step in the right direction. The banned chemicals are believed to contribute to coral bleaching – meaning that the coral is under stress and subject to increased mortality levels. Oxybenzone and Octinoxate are contained in over 3,500 of the most popular sunscreen products, and the local National Park Service announced that 14,000 tonnes of sunscreen enter coral reefs every year.
In general, it’s best to choose a sunscreen that does not harm our oceans and marine life. If you don’t go for biodegradable sunscreens, the most important is to check that they don’t contain petroleum (also called mineral oil), high Titanium Dioxide content, Oxybenzone, and Octinoxate.
further reading…
Since January 1st, 2021, the sale of sunscreen containing the coral-harming chemicals Oxybenzone and Octinoxate is banned in Hawaii – the first state in the US to take such action! Although this doesn’t mean that visitors and/or residents can’t trade in such harmful sunscreens, it’s still a step in the right direction. The banned chemicals are believed to contribute to coral bleaching – meaning that the coral is under stress and subject to increased mortality levels. Oxybenzone and Octinoxate are contained in over 3,500 of the most popular sunscreen products, and the local National Park Service announced that 14,000 tonnes of sunscreen enter coral reefs every year.
In general, it’s best to choose a sunscreen that does not harm our oceans and marine life. If you don’t go for biodegradable sunscreens, the most important is to check that they don’t contain petroleum (also called mineral oil), high Titanium Dioxide content, Oxybenzone, and Octinoxate.