You lather up with sunscreen to protect your skin, but what if your sunscreen is doing more harm than good? Many products labeled as “natural” or “reef safe” might still contain chemicals that damage marine life, disrupt hormones, or even penetrate into your bloodstream. Some of the most common sunscreen ingredients have been banned in locations like Hawaii and the Virgin Islands due to their toxic impact on coral reefs.

Before you choose your next sunscreen, it’s crucial to understand what’s really inside that tube. 

In this article, we will break down the differences between chemical and mineral sunscreens, expose misleading marketing claims, and give you the tools to choose a truly safer sunscreen for your body and our blue planet.

Chemical Sunscreens vs. Mineral Sunscreens

There are two types of sunscreens on the market today: chemical UV-absorbing and mineral UV-reflecting sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens rely on petrochemical UV absorbers like oxybenzone, octocrylene, and octinoxate—ingredients linked to coral decline, hormone disruption, and absorption into the bloodstream. 

Mineral sunscreens, on the other hand, use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to create a physical barrier that mostly reflects UV rays. While they’re generally considered the safer option for both humans and marine life, not all mineral sunscreens are as "reef safe" as they may claim. Some contain nanoparticles or hidden ingredients like butyloctyl salicylate that may still pose risks to your health and the environment.

Oxybenzone And Parabens: A Closer Look  

Recent research published in the Journal of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology¹ reveals that even trace amounts of certain sunscreen chemicals like oxybenzone and parabens can wreak havoc on marine ecosystems. The same study also showed that these chemicals are detected in the environment at significant levels, far beyond what scientists once thought possible.

Oxybenzone and avobenzone, common ingredients in chemical sunscreens, have even been found in products labeled as biodegradable and “coral reef safe.” But don’t let the marketing fool you—labels don’t always reflect reality.

“The use of oxybenzone-containing products needs to be seriously deliberated in islands and areas where coral reef conservation is a critical issue,” warns Dr. Craig Downs, lead author of the study. Chemical sunscreens often contain multiple active ingredients, many of which can bioaccumulate in the body and persist in the environment, endangering marine life and potentially affecting human health.

Even making the switch to mineral sunscreens isn’t a guaranteed win for the reefs. Many formulas tout “natural” or “reef-friendly” on the label but still contain nanoparticles—ultrafine particles designed to reduce whitening on the skin, yet capable of bioaccumulating in aquatic life. Unless the packaging clearly states the minerals are “non-nano,” it’s safer to assume the formula may do more harm than good in marine ecosystems.

“Organic” Sunscreens: A Deceptive Label

When consumers see the word “organic,” they often assume it means “natural,” “wholesome,” and “safe.” But in chemistry, “organic” simply means carbon-based. That little technicality allows some of the most concerning sunscreen chemicals to be labeled as “organic,” misleading well-intentioned consumers into thinking the product may be as wholesome as an organic tomato.

Take oxybenzone, for example. With the empirical formula C₁₄H₁₂O₃, it’s carbon-based,  and thus “Organic” in the eyes of chemistry - but that doesn’t make it safe for your skin or the sea. This chemical filter has been linked to allergic reactions, hormone disruption², eye irritation, and coral mortality³.

And the impact doesn’t stop at the shoreline. A recent study found that 85% of breast milk samples contained chemical sunscreen residues⁴, including oxybenzone and octyl methoxycinnamate. In other words, these chemicals don’t just sit on your skin—they’re absorbed into the body, potentially making their way into the next generation before they even take their first breath.

Other Ingredients To Avoid

Many sunscreens - even those labeled as “reef-safe” - contain hidden dangers like siloxanes, parabens, and phthalates, which persist in the environment and harm marine life. Butyloctyl salicylate, another ingredient of emerging concern, is an inactive ingredient found in many mineral sunscreens. It enhances UV absorption, allowing for higher SPF levels, but has also raised red flags due to its potential toxicity to aquatic ecosystems, and is not recommended for use during pregnancy. 

A 2019 study by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), known as the MuST trial, confirmed what many feared: petrochemical sunscreen ingredients are rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream, surpassing the FDA’s safety thresholds after just one day of use. These chemicals don’t just sit on your skin; they penetrate it, raising concerns about long-term health effects. As a result of the study, the FDA revoked the GRASE (Generally Recognized As Safe and Effective) status of all chemical sunscreen active ingredients, leaving only titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as GRASE. However, instead of banning these chemicals until proven safe, the FDA allowed manufacturers to continue using them while awaiting further safety data. In other words, these ingredients remain on the market despite the lack of proof of their safety for long-term use.

So What Kind Of Sunscreen Should I Buy?

The best sunscreen is one that protects both you and the planet. Look for formulas that use non-nano zinc oxide or non-nano titanium dioxide as their only active ingredients, free from petrochemicals, parabens, and the alphabet soup of hormone-disrupting filters like oxybenzone and octinoxate.

The ingredient list is far more important than the front label marketing fluff. Terms like “reef safe” and “eco-friendly” aren’t well-regulated, meaning brands use them freely regardless of what’s actually inside the package. 

Instead, look for products backed by real science and independent validation, like those verified by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) or those carrying the Reef Protection Factor (RPF) seal, a standard developed by the University of Derby and the International Coral Reef Institute (ICRI).

When you choose truly reef-safe sunscreens, you’re doing more than protecting your skin—you’re taking a stand for transparency, accountability, and the health of our blue planet. Because protecting what we love requires more than just good intentions—it requires informed choices and real action.

References:

1. Bratstvo V, Kostić-Ljubisavljević A, Trbojević I, et al. Effects of ultraviolet filters from sunscreen products on human health. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2016;23(1):1-8. doi:10.1007/s00113-015-1077-4
2. Sun lotion chemicals as endocrine disruptors… Hormones (Athens). 
3. Bratstvo V, Kostić-Ljubisavljević A, Trbojević I, et al. Effects of ultraviolet filters from sunscreen products on human health. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2016;23(1):1-8. doi:10.1007/s00113-015-1077-4
4. Tsui VWC, Lam PK, Ng TY, et al. Estrogenic disruption of triclosan on the reproductive system of male mice. J Appl Toxicol. 2015;35(6):697-707. doi:10.1002/jat.3092