Protect Yourself and the Coral Reefs by Using Reef-Friendly Sunscreens

* We all agree staying safe in the sun is very important. Aside from this, you also want to do everything possible to avoid damage to the coral reefs in the sea. In 2009, there were more than a million people diagnosed with skin cancer in the United States. In fact, two in every three people are also in the same condition at the age of 70 in Australia. Even if you’re not worried about the risks of cancer it is still worth knowing that sun exposure is the leading cause of premature skin aging. Read on about how to decrease your chances of developing skin cancer and accelerating your wrinkles.

* Wrinkles as you age may be inevitable (or at least a daily battle!), so it may be smart for you to be generous with the sunscreen. Make it one of your rituals since doing this can have plenty of benefits to you and to your skin. But being generous with the sunscreen doesn’t mean that you don’t want to spare a thought about our coral reefs. An estimation of 5,000 tons of sunscreen is washed off from us and into the sea every year. Even at very low concentrations, it is believed that common chemicals contained in sunscreens are one of the main causes of coral bleaching. Scientifically, it is estimated that 10 percent of the world’s coral reefs are at risk with the present rate of sunscreen washed off in the sea.

* Due to these facts, many beach-goers and land-lubbers today are looking for a sunscreen that is specially designed to be safer for the coral reefs and marine life. At the same time, be careful with the statements like “natural ingredients” and “biodegradable”. First and foremost, biodegradable does not mean reef-friendly, there is some consensus that those sunscreens that are made based on zinc are safe for corals compare to those that are using octylmethoxycinnamate, benzophenone-3 and octocrylene. Reef-Safe, is a brand that has gained popularity recently. This product has been proved by the American Lifeguard Association and is now recommended by many tourist associations and resort groups in the Caribbean. According to research, their products are non-toxic to coral reefs and breakdown easily (in salt-water) compared to conventional sunscreens. Some of its well known products are the Caribbean Solutions and Loving Naturals sunscreen product lines. These products are known to be made from 100% natural ingredients and safe-to-reef and non-toxic to fish sun products.

* Protecting our coral and marine life by using greener sunscreens is a grand benefit. What may be more important is that we are also saving ourselves. The same chemicals found in many sunscreens that threaten our coral reefs are also found dangerous to humans. It is now advisable by many doctors to not use products that contain benzophenone, most especially in kids because of potential health risks. Aside from using reef-friendly sunscreens, there are also other steps that we all can take to ensure sun safety, such as staying in the shade during the hours when the sun’s rays are strongest. You may consider a rash guard if you are in the water, or use a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses if you are not.

* The real culprit endangering our coral reefs and marine life is something that every responsible individual takes to the ocean. The ingredients found in sun block are causing an environmental problem. These four separate ingredients, paraben, cinnamate, benzophenone, and camphor, can wake up viruses that lie dormant inside the algae that helps to keep coral alive in a symbiotic relationship. Try following this advice and you’ll definitely enjoy going out in the sun and the sea.

Learn more about reef-friendly sunscreen. Stop by Annie Shelton’s site where you can find out all about quality sunscreens for your days at the beach.