By Kay
Sunscreen has been used for years to protect our skin from the sun's harmful rays. Recently though, we've found some of the ingredients we use can be harmful to our coral reefs. Oxybenzone and Octinoxate are the main components to coral bleaching. Coral bleaching is when the acidification heats the ocean up and the coral slowly turns white. You can help by looking at your sunscreen ingredients before buying it and try to look for sunscreens that say "coral friendly".
The Sunscreens tested
SunBum Spray (spf 30)
ingredients: Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene
other: Gluten free, vegan, antioxidant enriched (vitamin E), 80 minute water resistant.
Banana Boat Spray (spf 50)
ingredients: Aqua, Isobutane, Isohexadecane, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Ethylexyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyl Methoxydibenzonylmethane, Cetlyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Phenoxynethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Citrate
other: No added oils & fragrances, very water resistant.
Coppertone Sport Lotion (spf 30)
ingredients: Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene
other: 80 minute water resistant.
Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Stick (spf 70)
ingredients: Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, Oxybenzone
Neutrogena Clear Face Lotion (spf 30)
ingredients: Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene
other: oil-free, 80 minute water resistance.
Babyganics Mineral-Based Spray (spf 50)
ingredients: Zinc Oxide, Octinoxate, Octisalate
other: 80 minute water resistant.
Obagi Lotion (spf 35)
ingredients: Octinoxate, Zinc Oxide