Worried about sunscreen ingredients and their impact on the sea? You’re not alone. As awareness grows around coral reef damage and marine pollution, more people are looking for ways to protect their skin without harming ocean ecosystems.
As a proud charity partner of the Marine Conservation Society, we take an ocean-conscious approach to sun care.
Our natural and organic sunscreen range is formulated to be as kind to the sea as it is to sensitive skin – guided by the latest environmental research. With 100% mineral sun creams and a wider selection of natural and organic sunscreens with ocean-friendly filters.
At a glance:
- Large amounts of sunscreen wash into the sea every year, where some chemicals have been linked to coral bleaching and reef damage
- “Reef-safe sunscreen” isn’t legally defined, but ocean-friendly sunscreens avoid ingredients linked to coral harm, including Oxybenzone, Octinoxate and Octocrylene
- Mineral filters like non-nano Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are considered to be the safest options for the sea
- All Green People sun creams are formulated with ocean-friendly UV filters
- Our best sun cream for the sea: Green People Scent Free Mineral Sun Cream
Why ocean-friendly sunscreen matters
Did you know that large areas of the world’s coral reefs are under threat — and that sunscreen ingredients may be playing a role?¹
It’s estimated that around 20,000 tonnes of sunscreen wash into the northern Mediterranean alone each year, while studies suggest that up to 10% of the world’s coral reef areas could be affected by sunscreen chemicals.² ³
Coral reefs are more than beautiful snorkelling spots. They provide habitats for marine life, support global biodiversity and play an important role in maintaining ocean health. When reefs are damaged, entire ecosystems are affected.
This is why choosing ocean-friendlier sun protection – and using it responsibly – matters.
Is sunscreen the only factor affecting reefs?
While certain older chemical sunscreen ingredients have been linked to coral stress, it’s also important to see this in context.
Coral reefs are under significant pressure from multiple global and local factors, many of which have a far greater impact than sunscreen alone.
The most serious threats to reef health include rising ocean temperatures caused by rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, pollution from coastal runoff via rivers, overfishing and physical damage from tourism and development.
Sunscreen pollution tends to be localised, affecting reefs in popular swimming and snorkelling areas. Choosing ocean-friendlier sunscreens helps reduce this local pressure, but long-term reef protection also depends on tackling climate change, improving water quality and supporting marine conservation.
At Green People, we see ocean-friendly sun care as one practical step that we can all take within a much bigger picture of environmental responsibility.
What does “reef-safe sunscreen” actually mean?
There’s currently no legal or regulatory definition of “reef-safe” sunscreen.
In general, the term is used to describe sunscreens that avoid ingredients known to harm coral reefs, particularly certain older chemical UV filters, such as Oxybenzone and Octinoxate.
Reef-safe sunscreens typically rely on non-nano mineral filters, such as Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, which sit on the skin and reflect UV rays.
Some sunscreens also use newer chemical UV filters that current research suggests are a lower concern for marine life.
What are the UV filters that can cause problems for reefs?
Certain older UV filters, especially Oxybenzone (benzophenone-3) and Octinoxate — have been linked in laboratory and field studies to coral stress, bleaching and DNA damage under specific conditions.
Because of this evidence, these ingredients have been restricted or banned in several regions, including Hawaii, Palau, parts of Thailand and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as a precautionary measure to protect reef ecosystems.
In addition, PFAS (often called “forever chemicals”) are increasingly avoided due to concerns about environmental persistence.
Is Hydroxybenzoyl the same as Oxybenzone?
No – they’re completely different ingredients.
Oxybenzone (benzophenone-3) is the UV filter linked to reef damage.
When you see “hydroxybenzoyl” in an ingredient name – such as diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate – it refers to a newer UVA filter, not Oxybenzone.
These modern filters are widely used in European sunscreens and are generally considered lower concern for marine life based on currently available data.
Our ocean-conscious approach to sun care
At Green People, we take a science-led and responsible approach to sun care formulation.
That means:
- Avoiding UV filters known to negatively affect coral reefs
- Not using Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene or PFAS
- Choosing modern UV filters that current research suggests are low concern for marine life
- Continuously reviewing new environmental studies and updating our formulations when better options become available
For those specifically seeking reef-safer options, we also offer a range of 100% mineral sunscreens made with non-nano Zinc Oxide.
Our best-selling Scent Free Mineral Sun Cream is a natural and certified organic formula that can be used on both face and body. It’s water-repellent and kind to sensitive skin.
Scent Free Mineral Sun Cream SPF30 50ml
Reflect and protect with this 100% mineral sun cream£33.00
How you can help to protect our oceans
Which sunscreen you choose matters – but how you use it matters too.
To help protect both your skin and the sea:
- Apply sunscreen 15–20 minutes before entering the water to allow it to bond properly to the skin
- Apply on dry skin and on land, not directly in the sea
- Reapply regularly, especially after swimming or towel drying
- Use UPF clothing, hats and shade where possible to reduce the amount of sunscreen needed
These small steps help reduce the amount of product that washes off, and they make your sun cream work better, too.
The UV filters we use in our ocean-friendly sunscreens
Zinc Oxide
A natural mineral filter used in our Scent Free Mineral Sun Cream and other mineral sun creams. Non-nano, uncoated Zinc Oxide reflects UV rays and starts working immediately. It’s not known to display aquatic toxicity and is suitable for sensitive, oily and spot-prone skin.
Titanium Dioxide
Another non-nano mineral filter that primarily protects against UVB rays. Titanium Dioxide acts as a reflective barrier and has no known hormone-mimicking effects. We use this along with other filters in some sunscreens.
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
A modern UVA filter used in some of our sunscreens. It hasn’t been linked to coral bleaching and is considered low toxicity to marine life based on current data. We often use it alongside diethylamino butamido triazone for balanced UVA and UVB protection.
Shop reef-safe & ocean-friendly Green People sunscreens
Our reef-safe, 100% mineral sunscreens are certified organic and protect using non-nano Zinc Oxide.
Every Green People SPF is Oxybenzone-free, Octinoxate-free and Octocrylene-free, so you can protect your skin while helping to protect our seas.
Browse our full collection of natural and organic sunscreens, including our best-selling Scent Free Sun Cream SPF30.
Scent Free Sun Cream SPF30 200ml
Protect sensitive skin naturally with our best-selling SPF30 sun cream£33.50
We hope this guide has helped you understand what ocean-friendly sunscreen really means.
If you’d like help choosing one of our natural and organic sunscreens, try our 2-minute sunscreen quiz or contact our friendly UK customer care team.
[i] https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/sunscreen-corals.html
[ii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2291012/
[iii] https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/06/lotion-in-the-ocean-is-your-sunscreen-killing-the-sea#:~:text=Cinzia%20Corinaldesi%2C%20associate%20professor%20of,head%20of%20nonprofit%20scientific%20organisation
