Amazon has the best reef-safe sunscreens.

When I was 13, I saw my first coral reef. The ocean’s endless blue gave way to a colorful explosion unlike anything else I had ever seen. The sun shone brightly through the corals and schools of colorful fish, creating a shimmering effect that looked like a stained-glass window. In the 22 years that have passed since then, I’ve had the opportunity to travel. snorkeling and diving The Indian Ocean, the warm waters of Jeju Island and the cold waters of Korea’s Jeju Island are all available to you. numerous places in the Caribbean. 

Corals are dying. According to the National Park ServiceSwimmers leech 4,000-6,000 tons of sunscreen every year into the ocean. This sunscreen is linked to coral bleaching—a phenomenon wherein coral loses its vibrant pigment and turns white over time, becoming weak and susceptible to starvation and death. 

It’s been many years since I last saw a reef in full bloom; the one I saw when I was in middle-school is now mostly bleached. Though we may not individually have the power to reverse climate change, there are smaller—albeit very significant—actions that we can take, like switching to reef-safe sunscreens. Due to the fact that terms like “reefsafe” are unregulated by any government agency, consumers should be on the lookout for specific ingredients, such as oxybenzone and/or octinoxate, when selecting an eco-conscious product. Now banned by places like Hawaii, Mexico, and ArubaThe ingredients in these products are not just dangerous for marine life. They have also been linked with hormone disruption in humans. Parabens and triclosan are also toxic ingredients that should be avoided. 

Reef-safe sunscreens are essential for diving. Keep scrolling for eight travel-friendly, reef-safe sunscreens I recommend that you use a bag that is the right size for your carry-on. 

Thrive Mineral Sunscreen for Sensitive Face SPF 30

Thrive’s Mineral Face SPF This is the only facial sunblock that’s reef-safe I could find to replace my normal one. It’s labeled as being for sensitive skin and it lives up to its claim. It is lightweight and soothing on my acne-prone and rosacea-prone skin. The product does not leave a white cast. All Thrive Products are Plastic Negative, meaning the company recycles more plastic than it uses for packaging. It’s only flaw is that it has a lower SPF than I prefer and that there is no sunscreen. body sunscreen It is too big to fit in a carry on.

It costs almost $30 for two ounces. I would not use this product if I was at the beach all day and needed to reapply sunblock constantly. This product is more suitable for everyday use and touch-ups of SPF. I would opt for longer-lasting products when I am planning to spend the day in direct sunlight. It’s important to remember that using reef-safe sunscreen is still important for protecting aquatic environments, even if you’re not near the ocean—harmful chemicals from non-reef-safe sunscreens can seep into local water sources when you shower.

SurfDurt Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30

SurfDurt Mineral SPF It is one of my favorites, mostly because it has only 10 ingredients. These include organic cocoa butter and organic coconut oil. It’s a list of ingredients that I know, and I feel confident diving with it.

This product works great on kids. My niece, aged three, who normally hates to put on sunscreen, is so fond of it that I have to tell to her to save some to use later. She can easily apply it to herself because it is not a messy liquid. This sunscreen is too greasy to be used every day. I have mixed-skin. My brother, also a staunch sunscreen critic, tried it and liked it. 

The packaging is so cool, I can even reuse it to store jewelry and pills when I run out. Try it out if you haven’t used tin-coated sunscreen before. You’ll be surprised at how smooth and slick it is without making your hands greasy or gooey.

Kokua Sun Care SPF 50

Hawaiian-based Kokua Sun Care It contains natural ingredients from local sources, such as spirulina and noni. The formula also contains chemical ingredients. It’s not the smoothest texture, but it is the most expensive. So you will have to apply it thoroughly. It has a very high SPF and doesn’t have a strong scent or leave a white tint. I think these two things justify its high price. 

The packaging is made from bio-based sugarcane. chemically identical to polyethyleneMaking it easy to recycle. The packaging is considered recyclable because sugar cane absorbs a greater amount of CO2 during growth than it releases when made. carbon-negative packaging solutionThis sunscreen option gets bonus points for its eco-friendliness.

Badger Mineral Sunscreen 50 SPF

Badger sunscreen You can learn more about it here. dermatologist-approvedThe product is lightweight and doesn’t leave a white cast, so you can reapply it multiple times without overwhelming your skin. It’s lightweight and does not leave a white residue, so you can apply it more than once without overdoing your skin. The high SPF and low price are added bonuses. 

The brand’s facial sunscreen The product is also great, and doesn’t cause any reaction to my sensitive skin. If I didn’t have $30 to spend on a restock of Thrive, I would definitely use this product as my daily protection. I prefer the tin because it reduces plastic waste. However, the company also makes a tube version with packaging that is 50 percent recycled. All products are manufactured in solar-powered U.S. facilities. 

Raw Elements Face & Body Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

What I love most about Raw Elements’ SPF You can easily recognize all the ingredients. In addition to non-nanozinc oxide, the list includes ingredients like mango, organic beeswax and green tea leaf. This gives it a strong, yet natural, smell. I prefer this scent over most “regular’ sunscreens. 

It also feels nourishing and doesn’t leave behind a white cast. This is especially good for dry skin. The product can be used both on the face and the body, but my sensitive skin immediately began to itch when I applied it. My body as a whole reacts well, so it’s a good body sunscreen with natural ingredients. 

Raw Love SPF35

This sunscreen has the coolest design of any on the list. Raw Love SPF It’s the most smooth tin I’ve tried. The ingredients are mostly organic, such as coconut oil and Shea Butter, and the product has a minty, fresh scent. The Maui-based company was founded by an ocean biologist. This explains the brand’s commitment to natural, healthy products for humans and marine life. 

Unfortunately for me, this product is a bit too oily to put daily on my mixed-type skin, though Amazon reviews claim it works well with other skin types—some people even use it as a makeup primer. The product is great, but it comes only in 2-ounce and 4-ounce sizes. If you want to make it TSA friendly, then you will have to choose the smaller size. The white cast was not very visible on my pale skin. It may be more noticeable on darker skin. 

Stream2Sea Everyday Sunscreen SPF 45

Stream2Sea’s sunscreen is not greasy and doesn’t make my rosacea flare up—this alone immediately earned it a spot on this list. The product is also biodegradable, and it’s packaged with recycled materials. It leaves a white cast even when rubbed vigorously. This is something that you will not compromise on. tinned balm version This product doesn’t cause this problem, so it will be my first choice for diving days. I reapply the cream to my hands and my face. 

The company also claims to have created a sunscreen that is free of harmful chemicals. actually helps corals—aptly named Coral Care—by providing nutrients that naturally exist in sea water, though this study is still being peer reviewed. Coral Care isn’t yet available on Amazon but you can still purchase it. Stream2Sea’s website.

Blue Lizard Mineral Sunscreen Sensitive SPF 50+ 

The following are some of the ways to get in touch with us Blue Lizard’s products You can find out more about this by clicking here. Hawaiian Act 104-compliant—meaning that they contain no octinoxate or oxybenzone—they You can also find out more about the following: The chemical composition of these products is higher than that of the other options. Still, this sunscreen Has a high SPF and is affordable. The only reef-safe product I could find in my local drugstore was this sunscreen, which made it easier to access than other brands you need to order online. 

The sunscreen appears clear on the skin when first applied, but becomes slightly white in the water. Overall, I’d keep this as a last-minute or low-budget option for when you can’t get any of the other recommended sunscreens—and despite this shortcoming, I’d definitely still choose it over products made with chemicals that are harming the ocean.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter We’ll send our favorites travel products to you every week.