Reef-Safe Sunscreen: A Complete Guide to Protecting Coral Reefs

Coral reefs are among the most captivating ecosystems on our planet. Often called the rainforests of the sea, these vibrant underwater worlds support millions of marine species and sustain livelihoods worldwide. Their beauty and ecological importance also make them a magnet for tourism. Yet, reefs are increasingly under threat from climate change, overfishing, pollution, and one often-overlooked culprit: sunscreen.

Many of the chemicals in sunscreen are toxic to coral reefs, even in tiny amounts. That’s why the question “what makes sunscreen reef safe” is more important than ever, especially for travelers visiting beaches and coastal areas.

In this guide, you’ll learn how sunscreen damages coral reefs, how to distinguish eco-friendly products from misleading labels, and what ingredients to avoid. We’ll explore what reef-safe sunscreen is, spotlight reef-safe brands, and break down best practices for sun protection that won’t harm marine life. Whether you’re planning your next beach trip or just want to make more sustainable choices, this article will help you protect your skin and our reefs.

Key Takeaways Chemical sunscreens harm coral reefs, with ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate causing bleaching, DNA damage, and reproductive disruption. Over 350 million tourists visit coral reefs annually, contributing to an estimated 8,000–16,000 tons of sunscreen entering our marine ecosystems each year. To choose a truly reef-safe sunscreen, don’t rely on potentially misleading labels. Instead, check that it contains non-nano zinc oxide or non-nano titanium dioxide. Destinations like Hawaii, Palau, and Aruba have introduced bans or restrictions on harmful sunscreen ingredients, setting the standard for reef conservation. Protecting reefs means more than changing your sunscreen. Travelers can also wear UV-protective clothing, avoid contact with coral, and select sustainable operators.

How Does Sunscreen Affect Coral Reefs?

Millions of tourists visit coral reefs each year. These ecosystems have a global economic value of up to $9.9 trillion annually, and support the livelihoods of around one billion people. However, as more people travel, a hidden threat to reef health has emerged. One that begins with something as routine as applying sunscreen before entering the water.

In high-traffic beach areas, tourists typically apply a generous amount of sunscreen to protect their skin from harmful UV rays. However, the very sunscreen chemicals that shield us, such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene, can be toxic to coral reefs. They may cause coral bleaching, DNA damage, and disrupt fish reproduction, all stressors that fragile reef ecosystems cannot afford.

When we swim, snorkel, or even shower, those chemicals wash off and enter the ocean, where they can harm the very reefs we came to see. Worryingly, only about 4% of oxybenzone is absorbed through the skin, while the remaining 96% ends up in the water.

Currently, an estimated 8,000–16,000 tons of sunscreen enter coral reefs each year. As the number of people going on vacation increases, so does the amount of sunscreen that ends up in our waterways. The sun protection market is expected to grow at a rate of nearly 8% per year, reaching $21 billion by 2029.

 This adds to the worsening crisis of ocean pollution and coral reef decline. About 14% of the world’s coral reefs have been lost since 2009. In the Caribbean, the loss is closer to 50-80% in recent decades. Unfortunately, this trend will continue unless we take action to protect our reefs.

Sunscreens’ Harmful Ingredients & Their Effects 

Most common sunscreens on the shelves contain synthetic UV filters such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene, and avobenzone. These compounds were developed between the 1940s and 1990s, and were celebrated at the time as revolutionary for sun protection.

However, in 2008, the first study linking sunscreen to coral bleaching was published. Researchers exposed corals to several store-bought sunscreen lotions in seawater tanks to test for toxicity. The result: all the corals bleached, even under high-dilution conditions. 

This research also showed that these chemicals can trigger viral infections in corals. This weakens their immune systems, making them more vulnerable to disease. One of the deadliest is Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease, which is spreading aggressively through reefs today.

Even small amounts of oxybenzone can damage corals. One study found that just 0.042 parts per million, equivalent to 42 drops in an Olympic-sized swimming pool, was enough to severely stress and kill coral larvae.

Furthermore, it has been found that oxybenzone becomes far more toxic when exposed to sunlight. It changes from a UV-blocking agent into one that binds to DNA and proteins, causing cellular damage. The irony is hard to ignore: the very places where people apply sunscreen (warm, sunlit areas) are the same conditions that amplify its toxicity. In marine environments, this means that swimmers unintentionally introduce a chemical that becomes more dangerous in the exact conditions it’s intended to protect against.

Other marine life is also affected by sunscreen. Scientific studies have shown that UV filters such as oxybenzone, octocrylene, and octinoxate can deform sea urchin embryos, inhibit seagrass growth, reduce fish fertility, and even bioaccumulate in the tissues of marine mammals like dolphins. 

These chemicals have even been found in the tissues of loggerhead sea turtles, where they’ve been linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, and hormonal disruption. This adds to a growing body of evidence that sunscreen pollution poses a threat to far more than coral reefs, affecting marine life across the entire food web, from seagrass and fish to turtles and dolphins.

The chart below illustrates the impact of common sunscreen chemicals, including oxybenzone, octinoxate, avobenzone, homosalate, octocrylene, and octisalate, on marine plants and animals, based on a review of existing research. Our understanding of these impacts is still evolving, particularly as studies examine newer ingredients and their effects.

Sunscreen Ingredients	Examples of How it Impacts Coral Reefs and Marine Life
Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3)	Deforms baby coral and hinders their development Increases coral bleaching and death Changes fish’s feeding and swimming behaviors Causes male fish to develop female traits and fewer eggs to hatch Linked to severe deformities in baby sea urchins Inhibits the growth of algae and seaweed Can kill sea anemones Prevents jellyfish from growing into adults Makes it harder for clams to build shells
Octinoxate (Octyl Methoxycinnamate)	Causes coral bleaching and death Disrupts fish hormones and reduces the survival rate of young fish Impairs the growth of algae and seagrass Slows down plankton reproduction
Avobenzone	Harms coral’s food-making algae Causes coral tissue loss, slows growth, and can lead to death Disrupts fish hormones and reduces the survival rate of young fish Harms mussels’ abilities to reproduce
Homosalate	Damages coral tissues and can cause death Triggers inflammation and cell damage in young sea turtles Disrupts fish hormones, affecting reproduction and growth Linked to severe deformities in baby sea urchins Impairs algae growth Delays jellyfish development
Octocrylene	Damages mussels’ DNA, causes inflammation, and hinders their ability to remove toxins Builds up in coral tissues and makes it harder for them to eat and produce energy Bioaccumulates in the tissues of marine animals
Octisalate (Ethylhexyl Salicylate)	Triggers inflammation and cell damage in young sea turtles Causes inflammation and stress in corals Affects algae’s energy processes

Sunscreen pollution is just one part of the problem. Coral ecosystems are already at risk from rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, marine litter, nutrient pollution, overfishing, and overtourism. UV filters add to this mix and can tip an already stressed system into collapse.

Choosing a Reef‑Safe Sunscreen

What Makes Sunscreen Reef‑Safe?

Reef-safe sunscreens use mineral (inorganic) UV filters, such as non-nano zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, and do not contain chemicals like oxybenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene. 

Mineral vs. Chemical Sunscreens

There are two main types of sunscreen: mineral (physical) and chemical. Both protect against sunburn but work in different ways. Chemical sunscreens use synthetic compounds to absorb UV rays and convert them into heat, which the body releases. Mineral sunscreens form a barrier on the skin’s surface that reflects UV rays away.

• Chemical sunscreens are not considered reef-safe because they dissolve in water and can be absorbed by ocean life. Even at very low concentrations, this can lead to coral bleaching, abnormal growth, coral loss, as well as harm to other species in the reef ecosystem. 
• Mineral sunscreens are generally considered reef‑safe because they don’t dissolve easily in water and haven’t been shown to cause these effects. But versions made with nanoparticles — particles smaller than 100 nanometers — may still pose risks to marine life.  Choosing “non‑nano” mineral sunscreens is a safer option for the ocean.

Mineral sunscreens aren’t just better for reefs, they’re also considered safer for people.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only recognizes zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as safe and effective UV filters for human use. Chemical filters are still under review because there isn’t enough safety data yet.

Consumer preference for reef-safe sunscreen is on the rise, with the mineral sunscreen market projected to grow 13.5% annually, nearly twice the rate of the overall sun care market. This faster pace shows just how much things are shifting. More travelers and underwater enthusiasts are paying attention, choosing products that are better for the planet, and encouraging brands to clean up their formulas.

Don’t Rely On “Reef-Safe” Labels Alone

As demand for reef-safe sunscreen grows, so does the number of products claiming to be eco-friendly. But not all of them live up to the label. Terms like “reef-friendly” and “reef-safe” aren’t regulated,  so companies can use them even if their products contain harmful ingredients. A 2020 analysis found that nearly half of all sunscreens labeled “reef-safe” failed to meet the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) environmental standards. Even terms like “biodegradable” can be misleading — it only means the product breaks down more easily than traditional sunscreens, not that it’s harmless to marine life. 

Eco-friendly tags and third-party certifications, such as EWG Verified, NATRUE, and Protect Land + Sea, can still be a good starting point. But always go a step further and check the ingredient list yourself.

Reef-Safe Sunscreen Ingredient List

When shopping for a reef-safe sunscreen, it’s essential to flip the bottle and check the ingredients. 

You want sunscreens that list only ‘non‑nano zinc oxide’ or ‘non‑nano titanium dioxide as the active ingredients. The term “non‑nano” is sometimes printed on the packaging, but if it’s not, most brands list it on their websites. If you can’t verify that the sunscreen is non‑nano, it’s best to choose another option.

Avoid sunscreens that contain these chemical ingredients, which research has shown to harm marine life: 

• Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3)
• Octinoxate (Octyl Methoxycinnamate)
• Octocrylene
• Avobenzone 
• Homosalate
• Octisalate (Ethylhexyl Salicylate)
• Dioxybenzone (Benzophenone-8)
• Benzophenone-1 
• Padimate O (OD-PABA)
• Enzacamene (4-Methylbenzylidene camphor)
• 3-Benzylidene camphor (3-BC)
• Benzophenone-2

This list is based on NOAA’s harmful chemicals list and a 2025 scientific review of 111 studies on sunscreen’s effects on marine life.

Choose Lotions Instead of Aerosol Sprays

Aerosol sprays can be especially problematic because much of the product misses your skin and falls directly onto the sand, where it easily washes into the ocean with the tide. To reduce waste and reef exposure, it’s best to opt for lotion-based, non-aerosol products whenever possible.

Reef‑Safe Sunscreen Brands

The following sunscreen products are reef-safe, since they contain only non-nano zinc oxide or non-nano titanium dioxide as their active ingredients. 

1. Thrive Bodyshield SPF50
2. Raw Elements SPF 30 Face + Body Lotion Mineral Sunscreen
3. All Good SPF 30 Sport Mineral Sunscreen 
4. Badger Balm Daily Mineral Sunscreen – SPF 30
5. Babo Botanicals Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
6. Suntegrity Mineral Body Sunscreen SPF 30
7. Stream2Sea Coral Care SPF 30
8. Mama KULEANA Reef Safe Sunscreen
9. Sea & Summit SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion 
10. Thinksport SPF 50
11. Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 
12. California Baby SPF 30+ Sunscreen Lotion
13. Sunly. ATTITUDE SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen Stick

Tips on Effective Application

Choosing a reef-safe sunscreen is a great start, but applying it correctly helps protect both your skin and the ocean.

• Many mineral sunscreens can separate, so it’s best to shake well before use.
• Mineral-based options can be thicker than chemical options and leave a white cast. To make application easier, warm the product in your hands first, apply it to small areas at a time, and use it on moisturized skin. Additionally, look for “sheer” or tinted formulas for a smoother, less chalky finish.
• Apply approximately 1 ounce (a shot glass full) to your whole body, or a quarter-sized dollop per limb for full protection.
• Reapply every two hours or after swimming/sweating.

Real-World Examples of Reefs Affected by Sunscreen and Where Bans Are In Place

Some of our most treasured reef ecosystems are now taking action to protect themselves. From Hawaii to the Mesoamerican Reef, local governments and marine parks are recognizing the harmful effects of sunscreen pollution and stepping in to safeguard these underwater paradises.

The Mesoamerican Reef

The Mesoamerican Reef stretches over 600 miles (1,000 kilometers) along the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. As the second-largest barrier reef system in the world, it supports more than 500 fish species and 65 types of coral. It’s one of the most heavily visited reef systems, attracting roughly 15 million tourists each year.

This popularity, however, comes at a cost. Sunscreen pollution, overuse of coastal resources, and marine traffic put pressure on the reef, particularly in high-tourism areas. In Mexico’s Quintana Roo region, which is home to tourism hotspots like Cancun, Cozumel, and Akumal Bay, more than 300 tons of sunscreen have entered the water in a single year.

In response, several destinations along the reef, especially in Mexico, have introduced local regulations. Ecotourism parks such as Xcaret and Xel-Há, as well as marine reserves in Tulum and Akumal, now require biodegradable sunscreens, often made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Cenotes are even more stringent, prohibiting the use of sunscreen altogether.

Still, public awareness remains low. A survey showed that 90% of tourists in the Mexican Caribbean still use conventional sunscreens, and even among those choosing biodegradable options, over 40% didn’t know these can still harm marine life. It’s a clear sign that good intentions aren’t always enough. Unless people know what ingredients to look for (and avoid), they may unknowingly contribute to the problem, even when they think they’re doing the right thing.

Hawaii

Hawaii was one of the first places in the world to ban harmful sunscreen ingredients, setting a global precedent in reef conservation. 

In the 1970s and 1980s, visitor numbers to Hanauma Bay’s coral reefs were unregulated. The bay often saw more than 10,000 people per day. This caused severe damage to the reef. In 2021, authorities responded with strict conservation measures. The bay is now closed every Monday and Tuesday to allow marine life to recover.

Hawaii also instituted a sunscreen ban that took effect in 2021. It prohibits the sale or distribution of sunscreens containing oxybenzone or octinoxate, making it the first statewide ban of its kind in the United States.

Maui County took things further in 2022, banning the sale, distribution, and use of any non-mineral sunscreens without a prescription. These actions encourage tourists to use only reef-safe sunscreen in Hawaii to help conserve the reefs. 

Together, these efforts in Hawaii and Mexico represent a proactive shift toward reef preservation and sustainable tourism. They demonstrate how environmental policies and local action can support reef resilience in the face of climate change.

Additional Reef Protection Measures

Choosing reef-safe sunscreen is a great first step, but reef stewardship should go even further. As mentioned, coral reefs are at risk from multiple threats, including rising sea temperatures, coastal development, overfishing, and marine pollution. While tourists are not the sole cause, they do play a role. Here’s how you can reduce your impact.

1. Embrace Alternative Sun Protection

One of the simplest ways to protect reefs is to minimize the amount of sunscreen you use altogether. Long-sleeved rash guards, wide-brimmed hats, and UPF-rated swimwear offer physical protection without chemical runoff. Shade structures on beaches, as well as boats, can also help reduce exposure. Try to avoid the sun during peak UV hours, which typically occur from late morning to mid-afternoon. 

2. Reduce Physical Disturbance

Avoid stepping on coral, touching marine life, or anchoring boats on reef structures. Even light contact can cause lasting damage. Practice responsible snorkeling and diving by maintaining buoyancy, keeping a safe distance, and avoiding kicking up sediment. Select operators that adhere to eco-friendly practices, such as Green Fins members or those with Blue Flag certification.

3. Reduce and Offset Your Carbon Footprint

Climate change remains the most severe threat to coral reefs. Warmer waters cause mass bleaching events, which are becoming more frequent and prolonged. Travelers can reduce their carbon footprint by choosing sustainable transportation options, minimizing waste, and selecting accommodations powered by renewable energy. Businesses can also take steps to decarbonize their operations and address their carbon footprint.

For the travel emissions you can’t avoid, offset them by supporting climate projects around the world that reduce emissions and drive global warming. Visit our carbon calculator to get started. 

4. Support Reef Conservation Efforts

Consider donating to or volunteering with organizations working on reef restoration and protection, such as:

• Coral Restoration Foundation
• Reef Check
• The Coral Triangle Initiative
• SECORE International
• Wildlife Conservation Society – Marine Program

Even small contributions can help fund coral nurseries, marine protected areas, and local community education programs.

5. Adopt Sustainable Travel Practices 

Whether you’re a traveler planning your next beach getaway or a business operating in a coastal destination, the choices you make matter. Beyond reef-safe sunscreen, adopting broader sustainable travel practices can further minimize your environmental impact.

Committing to long-term change starts with small, conscious steps. Download our sustainable travel tips list or take the Travel Better Pledge to get started. For businesses, becoming a member of Sustainable Travel International provides access to practical tools, including employee training and best practice guides tailored to the tourism industry.

By staying informed and taking action, you’re not just preserving marine ecosystems; you’re helping ensure that future generations can experience the beauty and biodiversity of our reefs, too.