Reef Safe? Good for me?

First some disclaimers. I am not a medical professional nor am I pharmacist. The information in this blog is purely my opinion based on some research and experience. 

What does Reef Safe mean?

I would like to share that there is no standard definition of “Reef Safe” so it is important to understand what to avoid and read labels.  This is true for all products that we use that will eventually end up in our eco-system, not just sun screen.

Why do I care about the coral reefs?

Personally, I love to scuba dive and feel a spiritual connection to the underwater world.  Although I’ve only been diving since 2014, I have already seen both the devastating effects of humans and the positive regrowth based on the hard work and on-going commitment of many people.

For those of you who don’t dive it will be helpful to understand that about 70% of the oxygen we breath is generated by coral reefs.  You can find proof of this by doing some simple online searches and reading about the studies.

The fishing industry also needs coral reefs as they are the nurseries to many fish species or the food for fish we eat.

I set about finding a “reef safe” sun screen that does not contain ASA or NSAIDS or derivatives of ASA due to allergies.

Primary criteria I used when looking for skin products including sun screen.

1. Will not harm or challenge coral reefs.

2. Product needs to be easy to take with for travel

3. Cannot contain any derivatives of aspirin as I am allergic

4. Must absorb into skin cleanly

For the oceans, including the reefs avoid sunscreen and other skin care products with the following: 

• Oxybenzone or BP-3

• Octinoxate

• Nano titanium dioxide

• Nano zinc oxide

Why avoid products with these ingredients? - When I remember all waste goes through the earth’s water systems and eventually ends up in the oceans it is easier for me to spend the extra time to pay attention to labels.  

Some of the effects of these chemicals could have include coral bleaching which is a nice way to say death of coral and damage to coral in other ways like increases in abnormal growths and deformities as well as damage to the coral’s DNA.

Allergy to ASA - Because of my reaction (anaphylaxis) to aspirin, I avoid all NSAIDS and their derivatives.  This includes aspirin (acetylsalicylic or ASA) and ibuprofen. The derivatives of ASA are found in many over the counter products and include bismuth subsalicylate, choline salicylate, diflunisal, magnesium salicylate and salsalte.

I want to be clear, I am not a medical professional and cannot recommend this information; I am a person interested but not scientifically qualified to recommend.  I only write this to inform people there are other ingredients that could be skin irritants or cause allergic reactions.

It is very challenging to find products that fit the above requirements and do not use dimenthicone which is harmful to the environment as it is a petroleum product.  There is also evidence of dimenthicone causing bladder, liver and kidney cancer. Dimenthicone is banned by the European Union.

Still looking for a good solution. I invite you to suggest skin care and sun screen products.

Imagine what is possible with C.L.Wanderings ~ Cindy