In July this year, rising ocean temperatures caused a large amount of coral bleaching along the coast of Kenting, Taiwan. To make matters worse, in addition to the threat brought by abnormal weather we, humans, are also ruthlessly causing damage to coral reefs and the marine environment. When we frolic in the ocean with sunscreen on, the chemicals in our sunscreen seep into the water and interfere with the marine ecosystem.
This is not the first reporting of coral bleaching. In fact, widespread coral bleaching has been reported in various parts of the world, such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The news may not come as a surprise and we may even be numb to reports of such topics by now. However, more than merely a repetition of old news, it should be taken more as a warning sign that occasional coral bleaching is now occurring regularly.
Which Ingredients in Sunscreen Cause Coral Bleaching？
Palau, a beautiful island country in the Pacific Ocean, is famous for its rich coral reef ecology. The coral reefs of the Rock Islands are even listed as an UNESCO World Heritage site. This beautiful island country officially banned the sale and use of sunscreen products containing ten specific ingredients. Coincidentally, the U.S. State of Hawaii will also ban the sale of sunscreen products containing Oxybenzone and Octinoxate in 2021. (Further reading: A Single Drop of Sunscreen is Sufficient to Harm a Large Area of Coral Reefs. Experts Advocate Using “Reef Safe” Sunscreen)
(Pic: Sunscreen ingredients banned in Palau and Hawaii)
Which culprits in sunscreens are "coral killers" and "marine ecosystem destroyers"? Many ingredients in sunscreen may directly or indirectly harm marine ecology, but oxybenzone and octinoxate are listed by both Palau and Hawaii, according to the list of Banned Sunscreen Ingredients in Palau and Hawaii.
Research findings have shown that oxybenzone is harmful to marine life and coral reefs. It not only causes mutations in marine life, but also damages coral health, impacts coral reproduction and growth cycles, ultimately leading to bleaching. Related research cited in the bill passed in Hawaii pointed out that benzophenone and octyl methoxycinnamate disrupts endocrine systems in corals, causing them to be under significant stress, thereby subjecting them to higher risks of bleaching and mortality. These chemicals have also been proven to reduce the ability of corals to adapt to climate change, inhibit coral reproduction, and cause genetic damage to coral reefs and marine life.
Does it Matter?
You may be thinking that the small amount of sunscreen on your body will not affect coral reefs when the ocean is vast. According to research, about 4,000-6,000 tons of sunscreen wash into the ocean from human activities every year. In the case of benzophenone, a concentration of 62 ppt will cause adverse effects to coral reefs. This concentration is equivalent to a drop of water in six-and-a-half Olympic-sized swimming pools. Sunscreen is more harmful to the ocean than you think. (Further reading: A Single Drop of Sunscreen is Sufficient to Harm a Large Area of Coral Reefs. Experts Advocate Using “Reef Safe” Sunscreen)
Is Reef-Safe Sunscreen Only Important on Beach Days?
You may think that it does not matter if you use sunscreen containing chemicals that are harmful to the marine ecosystem, unless you are going to the beach. Please note that this is not entirely accurate. Chemicals from sunscreen found in our oceans are not only the residue of people engaging in water activities at the beach. Studies have shown that water from daily cleaning such as bathing and laundry will also be discharged into our oceans through sewage treatment facilities, thereby washing the chemicals from sunscreens into our oceans and entering the food chain through fish, shrimp, mussels, clams and other marine organisms. According to the report, about 70% of sunscreen is discharged into the ocean through wastewater, with the other 30% discharged into the ocean through marine activities. Hence, even if you apply sunscreen to commute to work only, the chemicals in the ocean may be traced back to you. From a long-term perspective, therefore, we should aim to incorporate more products that do not contribute to further marine pollution in our daily lives.
What is Reef-Safe, Ocean-Friendly Sunscreen?
How do you select a sunscreen that is reef-safe and ocean-friendly? Some environmental groups will choose "ocean-friendly" and "reef-safe" sunscreens, but objective standards for the identification of such sunscreens are lacking. Therefore, the most important thing is to carefully identify the ingredients before buying to avoid using those that may contaminate the ocean. The list of ingredients banned in Palau and Hawaii can be used as a reference. It may be a good time to check out the sunscreen on your shelf now!
The two sunscreens developed by Aroce’b – Pomegranate & Yogurt Tinted Moisturizer and Mango & Apricot Tinted Moisturizer, do not contain ingredients that are on the list of banned ingredients in Palau and Hawaii. Furthermore, both do not contain ingredients commonly found in commercially available sunscreen products, such as fragrance, mineral oil, parabens and preservatives. Instead, it is completely natural, organic and mineral-based, developed in line with EU’s SCCS safety regulations. It is a physical sunscreen, making it more friendly to our skin, as it is not absorbed. Instead, it acts as an invisible protective layer over the skin, effectively isolating ultraviolet rays through the principle of reflection and refraction.
Readers who have paid attention to reef-safe, ocean-friendly sunscreens may have heard that most of these sunscreens on the market are heavy and difficult to apply. The R&D team at Aroce’b has spent more than a year to create a sunscreen that is both lightweight and non-sticky, making it suitable for blemish-prone and sensitive skin. You no longer have to choose between comfort and caring for the environment, as we have created a product helps you protect the environment while remaining practical.
Aroce’b has always been committed to creating vegan skincare and cosmetics. Our sunscreens are not only reef-safe, ocean-friendly, as both Pomegranate & Yogurt Tinted Moisturizer and Mango & Apricot Tinted Moisturizer are also vegan sunscreens. They were not experimented on animals, contain no animal-derived ingredients and are safe for vegans to use.
(Pic: Pomegranate & Yogurt Tinted Moisturizer and Mango & Apricot Tinted Moisturizer)
The ABCs of Sun Protection
The ABC rule of sun protection for your reference:
- A(Avoid): Avoid outdoor activities between 10am and 2pm.
- B (Block): Apply sunscreen to block ultraviolet rays under sun exposure. Reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours or as appropriate, particularly after excessive sweating.
- C (Cover): Provide a physical cover over skin to increase sun protection, such as using an umbrella, or wearing a hat, sunglasses or light-colored, long-sleeved clothing.
Ultraviolet rays are pervasive. In addition to covering our skin with clothes and umbrellas, it is also important to choose a sunscreen that can truly block both UVA and UVB rays for best protection. Our sunscreens have proudly passed the three star sunscreen index of UK’s Boosts Star Rating, which means that our sunscreens are effective in blocking both UVA and UVB rays. As a broadband sunscreen, it can block wavelengths of up to 370nm and above, to effectively prevent sunburn and premature aging, etc.
Why do We Insist on Being Reef-Safe, Ocean-Friendly?
Aroce’b is a brand from the beautiful ocean country, Taiwan – the ocean is our home. To us, creating reef-safe, ocean-friendly sunscreen is not only to satisfy market demand. As mentioned earlier, we want to solve the problems associated with sunscreens. Ideals are always beautiful, but it is not always easy to translate them into action. As manufacturers, we always hope that we can live up to our ideals.
News of environmental and ecological destruction is endless. Many people feel numb or helpless, but we hope that everyone can care more about the world. This is our home. Perhaps there may never be a perfect solution to environmental protection, but we can act on our best judgment, without giving up or being indifferent.
Columnist：Judy Hsu
Editor：Sharon Xu
#sunscreen #physicalsunscreen #oceanfriendlysunscreen #reeffriendlysunscreen #coralbleaching #aroceb #friendlylifestyle