TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Reef safe sunscreen recommendations?

Reef safe sunscreen - are there any brands you like? I need to convert from my beloved Neutrogena Dry-Touch SPF 55. Reviews are grim to challenging for some of the products. As a swarthy Irishman I need something that will actually work. The products I'm looking at are from Bullfrog, Badger and Honest Company.

Cheers, RickG

Reef safe?

Why do you have to give up your Neutrogena?

From another Irishman, I stopped using Neutrogena a couple years ago and have been using Kiss My Face. You can get 3 oz tubes on Amazon.

I don't have all the details but I seem to recall that some chemicals from sunscreen are hazarduous to live coral. Others with more knowledge will likely chime in and elaborate.

Oxybenzone is toxic to corals but it is used in the vast majority of sunscreens because it screens UV better than anything else. Neutrogena sunscreeen has the highest percentage of Oxybenzone of all sunscreens. Coral is sensitive to Oxybenzone down to a concentration of 1 in 62 trillion.

Because it filters UV better than almost anything else it is hard to find an oxybenzone free sunscreen higher than SPF30. Almost none of the formulas used by the big name producers.

Here is a list of products suggested by the Environmental Working Group , that studies this sort of things.

Glenn, I had a look at the EWG product list. The reviews on a lot of those products are "ick." Some of the ingredient lists would work in a salad dressing if you left out the titanium and zinc oxides (Badger Sport). The replacements for Oxybenzone require you to follow their protocol to be effective - be completely dry, apply 15 minutes before dressing, rub in thoroughly, do not rub in too thoroughly, re-apply every 2 hours. Repeat.

Chris, thanks for the tip. I think my dermatologist would recommend a Burka and window shades if I asked about sunscreen. I'll report back on my preferences. With the prices for the reef safe options its a good thing I started wearing swim shirts all the time. Plus, they hide the marks my dermatologist leaves. Having a full bimini makes a big difference too.

Some of the other "scary" chemicals are Butylparaben and Octinoxate, plus 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (not sold in US).

Cheers, RickG

Some Irishmen you guys are. A GOOD Irishman KNOWS the best sunscreen is the inside of a PUB!!

I'm so glad you told me about the problems to the reef with the chemicals--I had no idea. Last trip I used a physical sunscreen and an spf 50 swim shirt. I wasn't sure how I would like the feel of the shirt but I really liked the protection.

The shirt was from Athleta and I highly recommend it.

Sunnykm - I love my swim shirt/rash guard from Athleta!

Oxybenzone is lighter then water so it floats like the diesel in your exhaust.

Sunnykm, most physical sunscreens are reef safe. You can check the label to see if it contains Oxybenzone, Butylparaben or Octinoxate.

I'm pulling together a list and will test drive some products. Tradewinds has used one of these products longer than anyone else I know. One of my redheaded STJ resident friends mentions using 40% zinc oxide diaper cream. She looks great, but it might be that professional dancer glow.

Cheers, RickG

Rick look forward to your sunscreen testing. The physical ones are so thick and a pain to use and tough to wash off the face.

Next trip I plan to carry on only so will need to purchase sunscreen when I arrive. Hope they have safe products available in Tortola

Best sun protection for the coral (and jellyfish to boot). Forget the sunscreen.
http://www.leisurepro.com/p-blrlm/neosport-unisex-lycra-spandex-skin-suit

We like the swim clothes, shirts, jackets and even skull caps.

The swim skort is my favorite.

http://www.coolibar.com

I am so glad to see this being discussed; a number of years ago, I dared to suggest that all the stuff we put on our bodies, esp. Sunscreen couldn't be good for coral and I recall being dismissed...while I was not aware of the specific chemical details it sure seemed logical that goopy stuff that clung to our bodies might do the same to live coral, thereby suffocating it. The more we "advance" it seems the more damage we do to ourselves and our environment.

While I have never used "BadgerBalm", there are some interesting facts and article links on this URL>

http://www.badgerbalm.com/s-35-coral-reef-safe-sunscreen.aspx

Timing is also a factor -- applying a "waterproof" chemical sunscreen and getting right in the water is worse than allowing 30 minutes to bind to the skin and then rub off any excess.
Amount is also a factor -- to use a chemical sunscreen on ears, face and backs of hands only then use a UV rash guard with long sleeves minimizes environmental impact and maximizes sun protection