USING SUNSCREEN RESPONSIBLY

Maybe you’ve never really thought about the safety of your sunscreen before. Not only do we advocate for properly wearing sunscreen to protect yourself, but we also want to give you our list of sunscreens that are much less harmful for the environment.

Oxybenzone, while highly effective at filtering UV rays when applied topically, has been linked to coral bleaching, which is extremely harmful to coral reefs and marine environments. Within coral communities live symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae, which provide coral with food via photosynthesis. Oxybenzone, along with a few other common sunscreen ingredients, awaken viruses in the algae, causing them to explode and infect nearby coral reefs. This exposes the coral to direct sunlight and leaves them without a food source.(https://bigislandguide.com/use-reef-safe-sunscreen-on-your-hawaii-vacation)

Some travel destinations that have banned non-biodegradable sunscreen: Hawaii, Key West, Cozumel, St. Thomas, Bonaire, Palau, & the USVI.

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Best for active travelers: Think Sport Think Sport is a great option, especially if you plan on partaking in rigorous water activities like scuba diving or snorkeling, due to its lasting power

Best organic option: Badger Balm Badger Balm is a great choice, not only because it’s organic, but it’s also clear!

Best for body and coral: All Good This option is a great balance of protection for both your body as well as corals. They also offer a tinted option, so it won’t leave behind that annoying white residue.

Best for portability: Olita Mineral This option comes in a 3-ounce stick, meaning you can drop it in your carry-on and be ready to hit the beach!

Best for the whole family: Hello Bello Hello Bello has very few ingredients, all of them organic and eco-friendly! Great for sensitive baby skin, too.

Best smelling, and best for skin: Kokua Sun Care Kokua Sun Care is a treat! Made from locally sourced Hawaiian ingredients, it’ll leave your skin feeling great, even while offering outstanding sun protection.

Best overall: Babo Botanicals Babo Botanicals gets our vote for being the best overall sunscreen for both body and sea. It checks all the boxes, and then some: vegan, cruelty-free, hypoallergenic, and ethically sourced, among many other great attributes.

We love helping you travel! Being able to help you protect your skin as well as the reefs to our favorite tropical destinations is a win-win for everyone.