16 LAYOGA.COM
WELLNESS // SPA & SKIN CARE REVIEWS
by Jeannie Jeffries
I
n the long days of summer (as well
as year-round), we want to enjoy the
benefits of our time in the sun while
protecting our skin from excess exposure.
According to Dermaveda expert dermatologist
Raja Sivamani, MD MS AP, “Sun protec-
tion used to be about avoiding a sunburn.
But, we have come a long way from then
and have become more sophisticated with
our science and our approach. Good sun
protection means you reduce or eliminate
overexposure to ultraviolet type A, ultra-
violet type B, and high energy blue light.”
Reef-Safe Sunscreens
While sun protection is important, so is
protecting our sensitive coral reefs; the delicate
ecology of coral reefs can be affected by some
of the chemicals in conventional sunscreens.
Two of the ingredients that have been identified
as being the most problematic are oxybenzone
and octinoxate.
Kate Solomon is the founder and CEO of
Babo Botanicals; she’s one of a group of skin-
care companies who are committed to making
products that are healthy for both people and
the planet. She says, “Millions of people visit
beaches each year and it has been proven that
chemicals in sunscreens can destroy reefs, as
well as be an endocrine disruptor in humans. I
founded Babo Botanicals so people would have
environmental and healthy choices.”
Kate is in good company. Goddess Garden
Founder and CEO Nova Covington is another
entrepreneur on a mission. “My daughter’s
allergies to the chemicals in common skincare
products inspired the start of our company,
but these chemicals are also impacting coral
reefs. A single drop of oxybenzone, a common
chemical sunscreen, can kill the coral reefs in
an area the size of 6.5 Olympic-sized pools. Be-
cause every bottle of natural mineral sunscreenused is one less bottle of chemical sunscreen in
the environment, we focused on making clean,
reef-safe options easily accessible to everyone.”
Babo Botanicals, Goddess Garden, and
other companies have taken a leadership role
to develop reef-safe sunscreen formulations by
providing labeling and engaging in advocacy
and education. These organizations are even
working with legislative bodies to provide
protection for reefs.
One of their meaningful initiatives is focused
on the Hawaiian Islands and the effect swim-
mers have on the coral reefs there. On May 1,
the Hawaii state legislature passed a bill to ban
the sale of oxybenzone and octinoxate. This
legislation is currently sitting on the desk of
Governor David Ige. Nova Covington, Founder
of Goddess Gardens, is collecting signatures on
a Care2Petition to encourage the governor to
sign the bill.
So when it comes to choosing reef-safe op-Sun Protection for
People and the Planet
Reef-Safe Skin Care for Face and Lips
GODDESS GARDEN FOUNDERS NOVA COVINGTON AND PAUL HALTER WITH FAMILY.