Protect Your Skin and the Reef: The Hidden Impact of Sunscreen on Coral Reefs

Protect Your Skin AND the Reef!

On a hot day out on the dive boat, we often apply sunscreen to protect ourselves from harmful UV rays. For years, many of us jumped straight into the water without thinking twice about it. After all, waterproof sunscreens are designed for water activities. However, recent studies suggest that we may want to reconsider this habit.

An article published by National Geographic in January 2008 referenced research showing that some common chemicals found in popular sunscreens may harm coral reef ecosystems. Coral reefs rely on a delicate relationship between coral and microscopic algae known as zooxanthellae. These algae help protect and nourish coral. When certain sunscreen chemicals enter the water, they can infect the algae and introduce viruses that weaken the coral’s immune system, making reefs more vulnerable to bleaching.

Researchers estimate that between 4,000 and 6,000 tons of sunscreen chemicals are deposited into oceans each year directly from swimmers, snorkelers, and divers. Even extremely small concentrations can affect coral. In fact, the amount of coral-damaging chemicals in the ocean can be comparable to a single drop of water in an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

Common harmful sunscreen chemicals include:

• Oxybenzone
• Avobenzone 
• Parabens
• Microplastics
• Nano Particles

These chemicals may expose up to 10% of coral reefs to sunscreen-induced bleaching. Unfortunately, about 95% of traditional sunscreens contain at least one of these ingredients.

Fortunately, reef-safe alternatives do exist. One option we recommend at Key Dives is Stream2Sea sunscreen. This product uses titanium dioxide as its UV-blocking ingredient, which has not been shown to harm coral reefs. Another reef-friendly ingredient is zinc oxide, although some people prefer titanium dioxide formulas because they tend to feel lighter and less pasty on the skin.

For those of us who spend time in the ocean, protecting the marine ecosystem should be a priority. By choosing reef-safe sunscreen and avoiding harmful chemicals before entering the water, we can all help preserve coral reefs for future generations.

You can learn more about sunscreen and coral reef studies here:

• National Geographic
• TIME Magazine

Together, small changes can make a big difference in protecting our oceans.