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Yes, your SPF might be toxic — to coral reefs. Here’s what to use instead

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How reef-safe sunscreens can help your skin and the environment, according to derms

Bethany Heitman

Contributing Editor

Wearing sunscreen regularly is a must, no matter your age or skin tone. It not only helps protect against skin cancer, but can also help prevent premature wrinkles and age spots, according to The American Academy of Dermatology.

There are a lot of factors to consider when shopping for the right SPF. For example, you may require sunscreen for sensitive skin or need a kid-friendly SPF formula. Another consideration you may want to think about: choosing an environmentally-friendly product, especially if you’ll be spending lots of time near the ocean. Certain chemicals in your SPF could rinse off in water and impact ocean ecosystems, according to experts.

Specifically, research suggests that chemicals such as oxybenzone and octinoxate negatively impact coral reefs. (An estimated 25% of all marine life depends on coral reefs for survival, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.) It’s so harmful that places like Hawaii and Key West, Florida, no longer allow the sale of sunscreen containing oxybenzone and octinoxate.

That’s where reef-safe sunscreen comes in. “These sunscreens tend to be mineral-based, utilizing ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to provide physical, rather than chemical, sun protection,” says Dr. Divya Shokeen, a board-certified dermatologist at the Ocean Skin and Vein Institute in California.

To help you shop for reef-safe formulas, I spoke to dermatologists and environmental experts about what to look for in a reef-safe SPF, and rounded up picks that align with their guidance.

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To help you find the best reef safe sunscreen, I considered recommendations from dermatologists, along with highly rated options from brands like Cerave, Blue Lizard and more. None of our recommendations contain oxybenzone or octinoxate.

ThinkSport SPF 50+ Mineral Sunscreen

• Includes hydrating ingredients
• Absorbs quickly
• Water-resistant

• Unscented formula

This water-resistant formula is a favorite of Dr. Brendan Camp, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City. This zinc oxide-based formula absorbs quickly and doesn’t feel sticky or oily. “In addition to SPF 50 protection, it includes antioxidants like vitamin E and moisturizing ingredients like jojoba oil,” he says. “Whereas some sunscreens feel sticky going on, this one feels smooth thanks to these ingredients, which also help nourish your skin as you wear it.”

Thrive Bodyshield SPF 50 Sunscreen

• Non-greasy application
• Sustainably made packaging
• Pleasant citrus scent

• Small bottle won't last long

With zinc oxide as the primary active ingredient, Camp says this is a great option for protecting your body and keeping reefs safe. It offers SPF 50 and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. While some mineral sunscreens leave a white residue on skin, this one blends in very nicely so you don’t look like you’re wearing a ton of sunscreen even when you are, according to Camp. You can also feel good about the packaging — it’s made of recycled plastic, according to the brand.

Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+

• Reef-safe
• Available in multiple sizes
• Color-changing cap

• It may take a while to blend

This expert-recommended mineral sunscreen is a great option for those with sensitive skin around the entire body (not just the face). It offers broad-spectrum SPF 50+ coverage and has zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to protect skin from UV rays. Plus, the fragrance-free formula is sweat- and water-resistant too. An added bonus? As this sits in the sun, the bottle turns white to blue to remind you when to reapply your sunscreen.

MDSolarScience Mineral Tinted Crème SPF 30 Sunscreen

• Natural finish
• Seamless application

• Very sheer tint

Consider a lotion with a tint if you are looking for a face-specific formula. “Tinted sunscreens are often formulated with pigment that blends in well without leaving noticeable residue,” says Camp. This one uses both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to create a protective barrier from the sun. I use this daily on my face and love that it dries with a slightly matte finish and evens out my skin tone. The water-resistant formula also has vitamins C and E to help soothe and moisturize skin, according to the brand.

Cerave Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen

• Works for all skin types
• Lightweight formula
• Hydrating

• Comes in three shades

This SPF 30, great for sensitive skin, has a sheer tint, offsetting any white cast on the skin, says NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin, who uses it daily. The noncomedogenic sunscreen also contains hyaluronic acid to boost moisture and ceramides to support the skin’s natural barrier. Plus, it’s free of oil and fragrances, making it a good option for acne-prone and sensitive skin.

Pipette Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 (3-pack)

• Made for kids, works on adults
• Works on face and body
• Hydrates skin

• Slight white cast

I originally bought this broad-spectrum sunscreen with zinc oxide for my daughter, but quickly fell in love with it thanks to its lightweight, creamy texture. It happens to be a favorite of Camp’s as well thanks to the sugarcane-derived squalane (a plant-based hydrating ingredient) that’s in it, which helps moisturize skin as you wear it. It’s also fragrance-free, helpful if you have sensitive skin or prefer products that aren’t scented.

Sun Bum Mineral SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Face Lotion

• Lightweight
• Blurs pores

• Matte finish

Another face-specific option, this mineral sunscreen from Sun Bum uses zinc oxide to protect skin from UVA and UVB rays. The tinted formula blends seamlessly into skin and has a matte finish, according to the brand. The SPF 30 should be applied 15 minutes before going into the sun and it can be used on its own or as a primer under makeup, according to Sun Bum.

Tower 28 SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Mineral Sunscreen

• Buildable coverage
• Gentle formula
• SPF protection, matte finish

• Not many shades (17 available)
• Very light coverage

This tinted sunscreen is an NBC Select staff favorite. Updates editor Mili Godio uses it daily. “I wear it in lieu of foundation most days — it covers up any redness and spots I have, and it’s easily blendable and buildable,” she says. “It also leaves such a natural finish that my skin still looks like skin after applying it.” It also does not irritate Godio’s sensitive, rosacea-prone skin. The tinted sunscreen comes in 17 shades, meaning that most skin tones can find a shade that will work for them.

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40

• Leaves no white cast
• Feels lightweight on skin
• Non-greasy finish

• Only intended for face

This sunscreen may look white when it comes out of the tube, but it quickly becomes sheer as you rub it into the skin. It is fragrance free and has a matte finish. It also can be used as a primer before you put on your makeup or put it all on its own. “If I’m not wearing tinted sunscreen — like on the weekends, to the beach and while exercising outdoors — this sunscreen is my go-to,” says Malin. “It feels so light and airy on my skin, and it absorbs in seconds, so I can quickly apply a little concealer on top as needed. It’s also never bothered my acne-prone, sensitive skin.” This formula is intended for the body, but the brand offers a formula called Daily Dew for your face.

Vacation Classic Whip SPF 30

• Lightweight
• Whipped texture

• Only for body

Vacation’s Classic Whip reef-safe sunscreen, one of our favorite status SPF products, looks a lot like shaving cream, and it goes on just as smooth, according to the brand. It’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and has coconut oil, vitamin E and aloe vera to hydrate and soothe the skin as you wear it.

I spoke to two dermatologists and an environmental expert about what to look for in a sunscreen that will protect your skin from harmful rays, while not damaging coral reefs or other ocean ecosystems. Experts recommend keeping the following factors in mind when shopping:

• Reef-safe ingredients: There are two types of sunscreens: chemical and mineral. Chemical sunscreens use ingredients to filter out UV rays, whereas mineral (also known as physical) formulas sit on top of your skin and reflect rays away. The former contain oxybenzone and octinoxate, two ingredients research suggests can harm the ocean ecosystem by bleaching coral reefs and damaging their DNA. For this list, I selected mineral formulas, none of which contain oxybenzone or octinoxate. Instead, they incorporate physical blockers like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. “When shopping for reef-safe, mineral sunscreens, look for something containing zinc or titanium as the active ingredients,” says Camp.

• Level of protection: You want to protect the ocean, but you also need to protect your skin. To do so, look for broad-spectrum products with an SPF rating of at least 30. (Broad-spectrum protection means your skin will be safe from both UVA and UVB rays).

• Water-resistance: Denoted by time (typically 40 or 80 minutes), this refers to how long your sunscreen will stay on wet skin. Water-resistant sunscreens serve a couple of purposes, according to our experts. Firstly, the better your sunscreen stays on your skin, the more protected you are. And second, your SPF will be less likely to wash off and harm the ocean.

When shopping for environmentally-friendly sunscreens that will also keep you protected from the sun, our experts recommend keeping the below factors in mind:

Prioritize reef-safe ingredients. Like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which create a physical block on your skin that makes rays bounce off it without penetrating through. Though it’s important to note that there is no actual, legal definition for ‘reef safe’, according to Emily Spilman, a healthy living science program manager at the Environmental Working Group. The term’s unregulated and generally, companies have their own definitions, she says. “While there are still a lot of data gaps about how certain sunscreens impact coral reefs, the main concern is that specific ingredients can cause coral bleaching, which can leave reefs under distress and vulnerable.”

Reef-safe sunscreens are also usually made up of micro-sized or non-nano particles. This is because nanoparticles can be ingested by coral and negatively impact its health, according to the National Park Service. Most reef-safe products will identify what type of particles their formula is made up of.

Avoid oxybenzone, octinoxate and parabens. Oxybenzone and octinoxate are chemical ingredients that protect skin from the sun by filtering harmful rays out — and while they are effective at doing that, they can cause other issues. “They have been shown to be toxic to aquatic life, including coral,” Spilman says.

Parabens are preservatives that keep beauty products shelf stable for longer. However, they can bleach reefs and even damage the DNA in coral, according to the National Ocean Service.

Opt for broad spectrum sunscreens. This will protect you against both UVA and UVB rays. Exposure to UVA rays is associated with skin aging. In contrast, exposure to UVB is connected to skin burning — so preventing both from impacting your complexion is crucial, according to our experts. “You should also be looking for a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher,” says Shokeen. Just know that anything higher than SPF 50 only offers marginal improvements when protecting your skin.

Look for water-resistance. Not only does this help keep your skin safe while you engage in water play, it may be safer for the environment. This is because water-resistant sunscreen isn’t as likely to wash off in the ocean and negatively impact aquatic life.

Once you’ve picked your reef-safe sunscreen, make sure you apply it correctly to ensure you get maximum protection. Your goal should be to use it liberally and frequently, according to Shokeen. The general rule of thumb is to use a quarter-sized dollop on your face and a shot glass-size amount for your body. You want to apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going out in the sun and reapply those amounts every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.

At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• Kate Beebe is the associate marketing director at the Coral Reef Alliance.
• Dr. Brendan Camp is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City.
• Dr. Divya Shokeen is a board-certified dermatologist at the Ocean Skin and Vein Institute in California.
• Emily Spilman is a healthy living science program manager at the Environmental Working Group.

I’m a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers topics like beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, I interviewed three experts to gather their guidance and researched highly rated reef-safe sunscreens based on their advice.

Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.

Bethany Heitman is a contributing editor at NBC Select.

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