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Reef Friendly Sunscreen the Facts.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As divers we should be all using reef friendly suncreams and alternatives to using sun protection whilst in the water to prevent any impact on the reefs. Read more on your options in our latest blog - Reef Freindly Sunscreen the facts. Or take some time to read about the spectacular Octopus who have a dedicated day to celebrate the species in our marine life blog.? Click here to read more about World Octopus Day Facinating Facts.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Reef Friendly Sunscreens - do they exist?
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These days there is no way of not thinking about the environment in everything you do, especially if one the most favourite things for you to do is scuba diving. Every time we take a breath underwater we see with our own eyes what impact humans have on our oceans. It hurts to see mantas dragging a fishing line, a turtle with a straw up her nose, plastic bags floating in the currents and a once-gorgeous coral reef, bleached and broken. Is it all hopeless? Not exactly, we can make a difference. Starting with our own protection, sun protection to be precise.
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Reef Damage
When a coral bleaches it is not dead yet, but the coral is under mortal stress, it is vulnerable to infections and loss of nutrient absorption, deformities and DNA damage Therefore it is mostly imported to stop this process immediately. It is believed that 6,000-14,000 tons of sunscreen enter the coral reefs each year. Most sunscreen contains oxybenzone and octinoxate. Both of these ingredients are thought to contribute to coral bleaching. But they are not the only ingredients that hurt our environment – octocrylene, PABA (aminobenzoic acid), enzacamene, octisalate, homosalate, and avobenzone to name a few. This is why Hawaii is one of the first states in the US to ban all non-biodegradable sunscreens by 2021, all sunscreens containing oxybenzone - about 3,500 sunscreens.
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Oxybenzone is not only harmful to your environment, but these chemicals can also enter your bloodstream. It may even be associated with breast cancer becoming more aggressive, polluted breast milk, deformities in newborns, women\'s uterine diseases, threatened male sexual health, and damaged DNA.
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Reef Friendly Sunscreen the facts.
So far only non-nano mineral sunscreen with non-nano zinc oxide or titanium dioxide based sunscreens are considered reef friendly suncream. It makes a layer on the skin, and you may need to apply more often as it comes off more easily too.
Also consider wearing sun protective clothing and a hat, making the areas to apply sunscreen smaller. Don’t use sunscreen with higher than 50 SPF and use lotion not spray.
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Here are some reef friendly sunscreen
- Reef safe Biodegradable Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 45+
- All Good Natural Sport Sunscreen Lotion
- Thinksport, SPF 50 Plus Sunscreen
- Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream, SPF 30
- Stream to Sea
- Surface, SPF50
- TLSea, SPF30
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To go one step further and go all natural, you might consider natural oils. A note of caution though as the SPF can vary on the make and brand and your skin tone.
- Red Raspberry Seed Oil – SPF 28 – 50
- Carrot Seed Oil – SPF 38 – 40
- Wheatgerm Oil – SPF 20
- Non-GMO Soybean Oil – SPF 10
- Avocado Oil – 4 – 10 (can get as high as 15)
- Coconut Oil SPF2-8
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=\"1/2\"][vc_single_image image=\"20038\" img_size=\"full\"][/vc_column][vc_column width=\"1/2\"][vc_single_image image=\"20039\" img_size=\"full\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Images supplied by Pro Dive and Aggressor Fleet[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]