We all know that sunscreen is your MVP (most valuable player) in your skincare regimen to keep a youthful and healthy-looking skin while still enjoying your holidays. But did you know that your choice of sunscreen can be harmful to the planet?
Every year, 25,000 tons of active chemicals from sunscreens are dumped into the oceans and destroy the coral reefs. As of today, nearly 70 % of coral reefs are threatened and 25% have already been inflicted with irreversible damage. This is why choosing the right sunscreen with the right ingredients can hugely impact our environment and overall health.
You may ask what makes a sunscreen ocean-friendly?
It is scientifically proven that UV filters create a chemical reaction when in contact with water, sunlight, and oxygen forming significant quantities of components such as hydrogen peroxide. This destroys zooxanthellae, a microalga crucial to coral’s development, leading to coral whitening and ultimately its death.
To sum it up, you must look for a mineral sunscreen that will cross off these harmful components: oxybenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene, parabens, and camphor derivatives.
To make your life easier and for you to be beach ready, we came up with a selection of ocean-friendly sunscreens that we know you will love :
REN :
Pioneers in the clean skincare game, Ren is one of our go-to brands for clean beauty products and they came up with an ocean-friendly sunscreen. This sunscreen is a 100% mineral sunscreen, silicone-free made with 22% zinc oxide and without oxybenzone for broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection.
Clean Screen Mineral SPF30 mattifying face sunscreen, Ren.
ALAENA :
The French brand made in Biarritz, designed by dermatologists, offers an amazing alternative to your classic sunscreen. Not only is its sun cream organic and 100% biodegradable, but it also provides block protection with an SPF50+. Add to that nourishing active ingredients that fight against skin aging and natural pigments: this suncream ticks all the boxes!
Lait solaire visage et corps SPF30, Alaena.
PAI :
Formulated for sensitive skin, British Summer Time is an organic sun cream that acts as a real moisturizer and offers optimal protection thanks to the natural zinc oxide. While cotton extract helps the skin recover from damage caused by UVB (sunburn), UVA (aging), and infrared and visible rays.
SPF30 British summer life, PAI.
EQ :
Biarritz-based pioneers EQ use mineral filters in their near-100% natural ingredient formula that is also free from parabens, PEGs, alcohol, and silicones.
We love that you can adopt a coral through the brand as they work hand in hand with the charity Ocean Quest France which has created a coral garden complete with a nursery, off the island of Saintes in Guadeloupe.
COCOKIND :
Founded by Priscilla Tsai, Cocokind is a clean beauty brand known for its affordable yet effective skincare products.
Their daily Spf is a bestselling product as it is known to be an extra mineral-based daily sunscreen lotion with SPF 32 that uses non-nano zinc oxide, blue phytoplankton, and microalgae to protect skin against everyday stressors such as UVA rays (aging), UVB rays (burning), and pollution.
SEVENTYONE PERCENT :
The made-in-France brand, Seventyone Percent was founded by french suffers Raphaël Vannier and Marc Levy who created a wide range of sun cream products to suit your needs when it comes to SPF and formulas.
Our favorite is the eco sun spray SPF50+, which offers maximum protection. All that without the slightest nanoparticle, sulfate, silicone, or paraben.
Eco Sun Spray Lait Très Haute Protection SPF 50+, SeventyOne Percent.
Next up to read: 5 Sustainable Swimwear Brands To Pack With You This Summer
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