Are Sunscreens Bleaching Coral Reefs? Reef-Safe Sunscreen | Skincare Myths | MaximumSkin

Let’s start off with the study that everyone refers to; DOI: 10.1289/ehp.10966.⁣
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The study was done in unrealistic conditions. They took coral branches and applied 2 different sunscreen formulas + individual UV filter ingredients commonly found in sunscreens on all different pieces, inside of 2L of seawater (from different oceans). ⁣The issue with doing this is that the ocean is much larger than 2L. Things change when confined to certain parameters.
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The other issue is this whole “reef-safe” claim. There are zero approved tests to ensure that the sunscreen is reef-safe. Much like any claim that has no legal definition/official, approved test, it means nothing. ⁣However, organizations have decided to monetize the claim and provide certificates a brand can pay for to appeal to consumers. The requirements are again based on no scientific data when it comes to UV filters.
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This comes from coral scientists reviewing the impact of UV filters in coral reefs “Organic UV filters do occur in the environment, but according to our analysis, there is limited evidence to suggest that their presence is causing significant harm to coral reefs.” DOI: 10.1002/etc.4948

On the other hand, the risks for not wearing sunscreen, especially while swimming are well-known and proven to increase your risk for sunburn which can lead to potentially life-threatening cancers.
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Sunscreens aren’t the primary, secondary, tertiary, or any major relevant cause of coral bleaching, but climate change is (DOI: 10.1038/srep38402) and what we need to focus on.

I do believe that testing in real world conditions would be beneficial, and I have read about different options to utilized to make sunscreen molecules too large to penetrate into the skin and coral reefs which would eliminate any possible argument about safety.

Finally, not everyone lives/swims in water where there is coral. If you’re traveling somewhere and feel better about buying a product that says reef-safe, by all means do so. What I’m more focused on is stopping misinformation and demonizing of UV (particularly “chemical”) filters.

[stantalent]

Hi, if you don't mind me asking, can you clarify what kind of sunscreens they used: the study doesn't seem to give clear information on whether they used chemical and chemical, chemical and mineral, or mineral and mineral?

[SpeedyCat]

You gotta provide more evidence than that

[keithrobertson]

You can tell when you’re in a “diverse” area of town by the graffiti and gunfire

[MariaHernandez-pxpv]

Not all babies are cute there is some really ugly