• Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Watches & Jewellery
  • Culture
  • Female TV
  • #WHATTHEFEMALE
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Watches & Jewellery
  • Culture
  • FemaleTV
  • #Whatthefemale
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Subscribe Now!
  • Also available at:
Privacy Menu 1
  • About Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Contact
  • Conditions of Access
  • PDPA
  • Privacy Policy
SPH Magazine

SPH Magazines © 2021 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd A Division of Singapore Press Holdings Ltd

  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Watches & Jewellery
  • Culture
  • Female TV
  • #WHATTHEFEMALE

Beauty

Using Reef-Safe Sunscreen Should Be Part Of Your Beauty Ritual

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Search in posts
Search in pages
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Search in posts
Search in pages
Beauty

Using Reef-Safe Sunscreen Should Be Part Of Your Beauty Ritual

Let’s do our part to keep marine life safe.

by Navin Pillay   /   June 11, 2020

Every beauty editor and enthusiast you speak with will probably tell you that using sunscreen religiously is one of the best things you can do to improve your complexion and combat photoaging – and they’re right. That said, the seemingly harmless, often white and milky liquid that you apply on your face for sun protection isn’t actually all that good for the environment – especially the ocean.

Read More: Bust These 7 Myths About Applying SPF Protection Now

Sunscreens containing the ingredients oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene are believed by marine scientists to contribute to coral bleaching, a phenomenon that causes coral polyps to expel algae that live inside their tissues which they have an endosymbiotic relationship with, and get 90 percent of their energy from.

Ocean Life, James M. Sommerville. Watercolor, gouache, graphite, and gum arabic on off-white wove paper, 19 x 27 7/16 in. (48.3 x 69.7 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Wearing sunblock while surfing or going for a swim isn’t the only way these chemicals make their way into the sea, they also enter marine ecosystems via sewage treatment plant outflows. So does that mean that we should stop using sunscreens? Not quite. Just avoid chemical sunscreens – generally containing oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene – and opt for physical sunscreens instead, which usually contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the main UV-filtering ingredient.

This isn’t to say that they’re completely reef-safe. When zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are un-coated and nano-sized (less than 35 nanometers in diameter), they threaten marine life. This is because the particles will be small enough to enter the cells of marine invertebrates and cause oxidative stress, often resulting in the death of the organism. Since the claim reef-safe isn’t heavily regulated in beauty products, do perform your own research on the brands’ sites to make sure it is what they say it is.

Read More: The Brightening And Whitening Serums You Need After An Entire Day Out In The Sun

As a form of good practice, opt for sunscreen products with a short list of ingredients; come in a lotion or cream formula (avoid aerosol versions as they tend to stick to the sand and get washed into the ocean); and wear sun-protective clothing as much as possible to reduce reliance on sunscreen. So swap out your sunscreens with some of our favourite non-toxic options above. Corals all over the world will thank you.

This article first appeared in Harper’s Bazaar Singapore.

Related Articles

The Tinted Sunscreens That Will Protect And Perfect Your Complexion

10 Sunscreens That Are Perfect For Singapore’s Hot And Humid Weather

10 Non-Sticky Sunscreens That Are Also Great Makeup Bases

https://www.femalemag.com.sg/gallery/beauty/reef-safe-sunscreen-eco-conscious-beauty-marine-conservation-harmful-oxybenzone-octinoxate-octocrylene/
Using Reef-Safe Sunscreen Should Be Part Of Your Beauty Ritual
Thinksport Sunscreen SPF 50+
image
Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
image
Coola Mineral Sunscreen Cream SPF 30
image
Ren Clean Screen Mattifying Face Sunscreen SPF 30
image
Supergoop! ZincScreen 100% Mineral Lotion
image
  • TAGS:
  • conscious beauty
  • eco-friendly brands
  • marine conservation
  • non-toxic ingredients
  • reef safe sunscreen
  • sun protection
  • suncreen
SHARE THIS ON

Trending

Beauty

These Experts Predict How Our Skincare Routines Will Be Like In 2021

Beauty

11 Best Korean Moisturisers To Achieve Supple Mochi Skin

Beauty

All The Beauty Launches To Know In January

Beauty

What You Need To Know About The Ikea x Byredo Line Of Home Scents

Beauty

Beauty Pros On The Mistakes You Shouldn't Be Making In 2021

Beauty

Why You Should Jump Into Bed With The Silk Pillowcases And Eye Masks From This SG Brand

Beauty

How To Get Creative With Fragrances If You Can't Stand Strong Scents

Beauty

Superfood Skincare Might Be Your Answer To A Great Complexion

Beauty

Object Of Desire: Le Lion de Chanel Perfume

Beauty

These SG Beauty Bosses Are Conquering The World Despite The Pandemic

Beauty

10 Best Repairing Shampoos For Damaged Locks And Hair Fall

Beauty

A Beauty Editor's Guide To Refreshing Your Skin

Featured Video
Watch Video: Elevate Your Style With Statement Pieces From This Accessories Wonderland
Sponsored Highlights
  • Beauty Unlock The Secret To Your Skin’s Radiance With This New Premium Skincare Line
  • Beauty See What Happens When We Asked Cool Girl Dawn Koh To Try Out Chanel's New Sublimage L'Extrait De Nuit Serum
  • Fashion Object Of Desire: Prada's Cleo Bag
  • Watches & Jewellery Brilliant Jewellery Ideas From Charms To Necklaces That Everyone Will Approve Of
  • Fashion 29 Fun And Fashionable Christmas Gift Ideas
  • Fashion The Holiday Dressing Edit: 12 Items To Put You In A Vacation Mood
Editor’s Picks
  • Fashion 10 Concept Stores That Bring The World To You
  • Fashion Object Of Desire: Prada's Cleo Bag
Female Newsletter
Sign up for one of our free newsletters to receive the latest news, commentary and fashion features straight from FEMALE.
Will be used in accordance with our Privacy Statement
Footer Menu
  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Conditions of Access
  • PDPA
  • Privacy Policy
SPH Magazine

SPH Magazines © 2021 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd A Division of Singapore Press Holdings Ltd