5 Things to Know About Reef-Safe Sunscreen

“Reef-safe” labels are unregulated The term means whatever a company wants it to mean. Always check the ingredients list instead.

Avoid oxybenzone and octinoxate These two chemicals are linked to coral bleaching and toxicity. They are banned in Hawaii, Key West, and parts of Mexico.

Choose mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide These sit on your skin instead of absorbing in, and they do not harm coral.

Look for “non-nano” particles Nano-sized mineral particles are small enough that some researchers worry about filter-feeding organisms. Non-nano is the safer bet.

Skip chemical sunscreens entirely Other chemical filters might be fine, but the science is not settled. Stick with mineral formulas to avoid the risk.