Last month was September, and for many people in the US that meant summer was coming to a close. Nicole and I, however, are lucky enough to live in a land of (nearly) endless summer, and we still need weekly sun protection. So, for one of the past month’s 2×12 Reductions we have switched to plastic-free sunscreen. Choosing a sustainable sunscreen isn’t as simple as just avoiding plastic packaging, however. The ingredients must be taken into consideration as well!

The Chemical Ban

Hawaii’s 2018 ban on chemical sunscreens (taking effect in 2021) has raised awareness that the use of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate is contributing to the decline of coral reefs. Enough of these chemical wash off our bodies and end up in the ocean that they are killing juvenile coral. Meanwhile, mature coral is dying due to the effects of global warming – increased ocean water temperatures and more severe storms. When the mature coral dies, the reefs are not able to recover because the juvenile coral isn’t developing. Columbia University’s Earth Institute states, “Today many reefs have 40 to 50 percent less coral than they did just 30 years ago.”

If that’s not bad enough, the sunscreen bottle itself is killing coral. The Earth Institute cites a study of 159 coral reefs that showed plastic pollution also causes diseases in coral, and it is estimated that by 15.7 billion pieces of plastic will come in contact with coral by 2025.

What if I don’t live near a reef?

Even if you don’t live anywhere near a coral reef or ever go in the ocean, it’s still a bad idea to continue buying your typical Banana Boat or Sun Bum sunblock. Beside the fact that these are never plastic-free sunscreens, the chemicals in those products are known to be hormone disruptors. They are absorbed quickly into the bloodstream and breast milk after skin application. In February 2019 the FDA released a monograph that does not include enough information to deem the common active ingredients in chemical sunscreens (oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and avobenzone) safe for use. The FDA only has enough data to clear two active sunscreen ingredients as safe and effective. These are the active ingredients in mineral sunscreens: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Sunscreen that is Plastic-Free and Chemical-Free

Nicole and I know from the info above that we need to buy not only sunscreen that is chemical-free, but sunscreen that is plastic-free. The great thing is there are a ton of articles describing how to buy reef safe sunscreen, and a ton of options out there. The best reviewed options that we came across are products made by Raw Elements and the San Diego-based company Surf Durt. Surf Durt is a pretty cool company: they have a 100% solar-powered facility, and they’ll let you ship their empty metal tins back to the company for a 25% discount on your next purchase. We haven’t tried Surf Durt products yet though.

We were able to find Raw Elements plastic-free sunscreen at one of our local surf shops, Hansen Surfboards in Encinitas. Fortunately we were able to do a little testing at the store of the Face+Body sunscreen and the Tinted Facial Moisturizer (SPF 30) in metal tins. Both products rub in much more easily than other mineral sunscreens that we’ve tried in the past. Neither one left us looking like vampires! These sunscreens are going to be great solutions for rather minimal sunscreen application (e.g., face, neck, chest, hands). But due to the small size and the price point, this won’t work for days when full body coverage is required.

The Two Rules for Choosing Sunscreen

To summarize, Nicole and I follow two simple rules for buying sunscreen:

1. Ingredients: Look at the active ingredients on the label. Only purchase products whose active ingredients are non-nanoparticle zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Don’t purchase other active ingredients (chemicals). The non-nanoparticle thing is important to note. Some manufacturers use very small diameter (nano) zinc oxide particles in order to reduce the ghostly-white appearance of mineral sunscreens. There’s debate about how safe nanoparticles are for people, and how safe they are for the environment. For now, Nicole and I err on the side of caution by looking for “non-nano” on the label.
2. Packaging: Opt for metal (tins) or cardboard (push-up tubes) packaging. Avoid soft plastic squeeze tubes that are not recyclable. Choose large, hard-plastic bottles if plastic is the only viable option.

Maybe don’t buy sunscreen at all?

Sunscreen is great. It is essential for preventing melanoma and skin damage, and in many cases it is necessary. However, it is no longer my go-to for sun protection. If I’m not out in the water, I will many times opt for sun-protective clothing instead. Sun protective clothing means less waste associated with consumables like sunscreen. A good piece of clothing can last a long time! Nicole’s family recently bought me this awesome Patagonia Tropic Comfort II Hooded Shirt. It’s high quality and made for fishermen who spend a lot of time in the sun. It’s super light and the hood is great sun protection. Plus, it’s a lot more stylish than the sun protective clothing of yesteryear.

In conclusion, mineral sunscreen (like Aveeno Baby) in plastic packaging is good, Raw Elements sunscreen in a tin is better, a Patagonia hooded shirt is best.

Good, Better, Best,

Mike