NATGEOTRAVEL.COM
MATTHEW
TWOMBLY^
(ILLUSTRATIONS)The world’s coral reefs are suffering,
and chemicals commonly found in
sunscreen contribute to the problem.
But there are some bright ideas afoot.
Some destinations, such as Hawaii
and Palau, have introduced bans on
harmful sunscreens; these bans will
go into effect in the coming years.
Here we offer facts and strategies
to help you protect both your skin
and the coral reefs.
PUT THE SPF IN YOUR OUTFIT
Wearing hats, shirts, and other apparel
incorporating UV protection can reduce
the amount of sunscreen you need by
up to 90 percent; these items will likely
last longer than a bottle of sunscreen.
TAKE COVER
Pick shady spots for games and bring an
umbrella, or better yet, a beach tent—some
come with cool perks like a mini pool.
CHECK THE LIST
The Environmental Work-
ing Group rates products
with SPF values—including
some 650 sunscreens and
250 moisturizers—on their
environmental impact
(ewg.org/sunscreen).MILLION
species are
estimated
to live on
or around
the world’s
coral reefs.14,000 TONS
of sunscreen are
thought to wash
into the oceans
each year.82,000 CHEMICALS
from personal-care
products may be
tainting the seas.ABOUT 80 PERCENT
of corals in the Caribbean have been lost in
the last 50 years due to pollution, coastal
development, and warming waters.RESEARCH THE RESORT
Some hotels are now helping guests
be more responsible. For example,
Aqua-Aston properties throughout
Hawaii offer free, reef-friendly Raw
Elements sunscreen in “eco kits” and via
dispensers in the hotels’ public areas.
SEE WHAT’S INSIDE
“We recommend the use of reef-safe
sunscreen free of oxybenzone,” says Peter
Gash, managing director of Lady Elliot
Island, near Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
Nanoparticles like oxybenzone are small
enough to be absorbed by coral and disrupt
growth cycles. Choose mineral-based sun-
blocks with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
If you’re not sure whether a sunscreen has
nanoparticles, consult the Consumer Prod-
ucts Inventory (nanotechproject.org/cpi).REPORTED BY ERIC ROSENSKIP THE SPRAY
Aerosols cause much of
our sunscreen to miss its
mark and fall to the sand,
where it can easily wash
into the ocean.TRAVEL BETTER
REEF RELIEF