Reef Safe Sunscreens
More and more scientific studies are coming out to prove that most commercial sunscreens are bad for the reef and in fact bad for your health too. It's estimated that between 4000 and 6000 tons of sunsreen are washed off in coral reef areas every year. Using these commercial sunscreens while you are in Caye Caulker, on land or sea, means that the chemicals will eventually end up on the reef, as the waste water leaches into the sea. You should come prepared but may be able to buy some in Belize at select stockists.
We've been doing a bit of information gathering about this issue and like to share our findings.
These are the only brands of Sunscreens that are safe for the reef:
Caribbean Solutions |
UV Natural |
Mexitan |
BATAB |
Soleo Organics |
Luvea Neutral |
KissMyFace |
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Natural does not mean biodegradable - Burts Bees, Avon, Alba, Jason's Naturals, Nature's Gate, etc. are not marine-friendly. Some sunscreens claiming to be biodegradable are still not reef-friendly.
Well known commerical brands such as Banana Boat, Coppertone, No-AD, Panama Jack, or Hawaiian Tropic etc are not reef-friendly.
The following chemical ingredients, which are found in many commercial sunscreens, have been shown to be harmful to the corals. They are also thought to affect the grass beds and mangrove growth, on which many of the reef's creatures are dependent for survival. Not only are they bad for the reef, they also have known health effects.
| Chemical |
Known health effects |
| PABA |
Skin irritation and rashes |
| Octocrylene |
Toxicity and cellular changes |
| Benzophenone -3 |
Skin irritation and rashes |
| Butyl-Methoxydibenzoylmethane |
Estrogen replicator |
| Hexyldecanol |
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| Dimethyl Capramide |
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| Cetyl Dimethicone |
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| Polyethylene |
Cancers and allergies |
| Butylcarbamate |
Cancers and toxicity |
| Octinoxate |
Endocrine disruption |
| Oxybenzone |
Endocrine disruption |
| 4-methylbenzylidene Camphor Oils |
Toxicity and endocrine disruption |
| Methylparaben |
Cancers, especially Breast cancer |
| Propylparaben |
Cancers, especially Breast cancer |
| Butylparaben |
Cancers, especially Breast cancer |
We don't have any medical training, so please do your own research and verify ours. If anything is incorrect, please let us know. Most of this information came from the below links.
The only totally safe way to protect yourself from the sun is to stay out of it! The sun in Belize is fierce as we are in the Tropics. The rays do penetrate the first few feet of the sea, and a little bit of water over your skin intensifies them. Once out of the water, the reflection from the sea also intensifies it. Please make sure you do protect yourself whatever skin type you have, but especially the fair skinned. Use physical protection, such as a hat and tee-shirt, even a rash guard. Some people will benefit from also wearing lightweigh pants/trousers. Most tour operators have canopies on the boats too. Reef safe sunscreens should be reapplied often.
Sources:
List of sunscreens on a health rating system
Database of sunscreen and cosmetic chemicals and their effects
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