We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. The 6 Best Reef-Friendly Sunscreens, According to Dermatologists (Tested & Reviewed) Protect your skin—and the ocean—with these top picks! By Krissy Brady Krissy Brady See More Krissy Brady is an Ontario-based writer who specializes in health and wellness articles. She is so out of shape, the health tracker on her phone pings her periodically to see if she's still alive—so, naturally, she became a health and wellness writer. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Updated on July 20, 2024 Reviewed by Dietitian Christa Brown, M.S., RDN, LD Reviewed by Dietitian Christa Brown, M.S., RDN, LD Christa Brown is a registered dietitian and business owner with a practice focus on diabetes management and content development for brands and fitness influencers. She is a licensed dietitian with a Master of Science in Nutrition Education and a certification in gut health by the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines In This Article View All In This Article Top Picks Reviews Choosing a Reef-Safe Sunscreen The Bottom Line Common Questions Our Trusted Expertise Credit: COURTESY OF BRAND It's well-known that overexposure to UV rays can cause premature skin aging and increase your risk of skin cancer. And it's no secret that sunscreen plays an important role in protecting your skin from UV rays. Depending on the type you slather on, however, your go-to sunscreen may be protecting your skin at the expense of coral reefs—one of the most valuable ecosystems on Earth. "Coral reefs are dying at an alarmingly accelerated rate, and some environmentalists are concerned that sunscreen ingredients, particularly from chemical sunscreens, are contributing to coral reef bleaching," says Susan Massick, M.D., a dermatologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and an associate professor at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. "The current theory is that these sunscreens, with ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate, wash off in the water and settle into the coral reefs, thus affecting reef reproduction." Once their life cycles are disrupted, coral reefs are no longer able to sustain themselves and slowly start to die off. You can tell by their noted loss of color, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The loss of coral reefs can't be attributed to chemical sunscreens alone, but it's one aspect we can easily do something about—and that's making the switch to reef-friendly sunscreens. We chatted with dermatologists and got their input on which sunscreens are best to help protect the reefs, and held some tests and reviews of our own—looking at the feel of reef-safe sunscreens on our skin, their opacity and whether they transfer to clothing and their level of water resistance. Here are the top picks. Top Picks Best Overall: Thinksport SPF 50+ Mineral Sunscreen at Amazon $24 Jump to Review Also Great: SALE Sun Bum Mineral Sunscreen Lotion at Amazon $18 $14 Jump to Review Best for Sensitive Skin: Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen at Amazon $18 Jump to Review Best Moisturizing: SALE Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Stick at Amazon $10 $9 Jump to Review Best for Scalp: Supergoop! Poof 100% Mineral Part Powder SPF 35 at Amazon $34 Jump to Review Best Fragrance-Free: SALE Badger Sunscreen Cream at Amazon $18 $16 Jump to Review Best Overall Thinksport SPF 50+ Mineral Sunscreen Credit: Amazon $23 $19 at Amazon $14 at Target View on Walmart What we like: It can be used on all types of skin and has a nice lemony scent. What to know: This sunscreen is somewhat thin and runny. This mineral sunscreen absorbs easily with a nongreasy feel and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. We found it comparable to putting on an everyday body lotion—going on smoothly though slightly runny and no noticeable slick feeling of sunscreen on the skin. It was distinctly white when applied, and it transferred to clothing after getting wet. A slight lemony smell was also detected during the testing. Thinksport uses a non-nano formula, meaning the particle size of the ingredients is large enough that they can't be ingested by the coral and so are less likely to harm the reef ecosystem. We also like that the company uses recycled materials for its containers. SPF: 50 | Volume: 0.64, 3, 6 fluid ounces | Skin Type: Oily to sensitive | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | Product Benefits: Hydrating Also Great Sun Bum Mineral Sunscreen Lotion Credit: Amazon $18 $14 at Amazon $18 at Target View on Sunbum.com What we like: This sunscreen is lightweight and not greasy. What to know: It leaves a whitish hue on your skin after application. Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen is certified Hawaii Act 104 reef compliant, which means it is free of oxybenzone and octinoxate—two chemicals that are believed to be bad for the coral reefs, causing coral bleaching. Its formula is also zinc-based and non-nano, which is also better for coral reefs. And it's hypoallergenic and gluten-free. This sunscreen, like any others, needs to be reapplied every 80 minutes and immediately after swimming and drying yourself off with a towel. Great to use on sensitive skin, this sunscreen is light in weight and has a non-oily feeling but does tend to leave a white cast on the skin. SPF: 50 | Volume: 3 fluid ounces | Skin Type: Sensitive | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | Product Benefits: Hypoallergenic Best for Sensitive Skin Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen Credit: Amazon $18 $18 at Amazon View on Walmart View on IHerb What we like: It does not leave a white cast on your skin after being applied. What to know: There is a strong chemical smell to this sunscreen. Specially formulated for folks with super-sensitive skin, Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen is fast-absorbing and—as its name implies—goes on clear (not white). The 100% non-nano, zinc formula provides 80 minutes of water- and sweat-resistant coverage. During our tests, the sunscreen was a bit thick right out of the container, yet when applied, it absorbed fairly quickly and did not leave a white hue on the skin. After it got wet, the sunscreen did run—leaving streaks down the skin—and some of it transferred onto clothing, although there was no real change in the feel of it on the skin. Also, the sunscreen emitted a strong chemical odor that was not the most pleasant to sensitive noses (even though it's supposedly fragrance-free). SPF: 30 | Volume: 3 fluid ounces | Skin Type: Sensitive | Active Ingredients: Non-nano zinc oxide | Product Benefits: Dermatologist tested Best Moisturizing Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Stick Credit: Amazon $10 $9 at Amazon View on Bluelizardsunscreen.com $10 at Ulta What we like: Skin is left feeling hydrated without that heavy feel of a typical sunscreen lotion. What to know: The sunscreen has a slight odor and is not completely unscented. If you've experienced one too many lotion tubes popping open in your beach bag, give this sunscreen stick by Blue Lizard a whirl. It's a breeze to apply and features a 100% non-nano formula, as well as aloe vera, shea butter, sunflower seed oil and vitamin E (see: very moisturizing!). Like many other sunscreens on this list, Blue Lizard's stick is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Editor Katie Tuttle relied on the Blue Lizard Mineral Stick during a recent trip and was pleased with both the formula and the method of application. "The mineral stick was really easy to carry around and made it easy for me to reapply, especially on my face," she says. "The formula blended in really well, and the extra moisture was a bonus after a day of being exposed to wind and salt water." During testing, we loved that this sunscreen left no whitish cast when applied, and it worked well after getting wet with no real change or streaking. The stick made it easy to apply, and it didn't have that heavy feeling on the skin you typically get after applying sunscreen. There was no noticeable transfer of the product onto clothing during testing. Plus, the skin felt hydrated. There was a slight smell to the sunscreen, but it was not overpowering. SPF: 50 | Volume: 0.50 ounce | Skin Type: Sensitive | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | Product Benefits: Sun protection Best for Scalp Supergoop! Poof 100% Mineral Part Powder SPF 35 Credit: Amazon $34 at Amazon View on Supergoop.com View on Dermstore What we like: It can be used every day in your hair care routine. What to know: It is a bit pricey. As diligent as we are about protecting our skin with SPF clothing, many of us forget to protect our scalp. Enter Supergoop! with this reef-friendly sunscreen powder that goes on much like a dry shampoo, only with the bonus of broad-spectrum SPF 35 UV protection. Simply spray this on the part in your hair and then blend it in with your fingertips or a brush. It can be used every day as part of your daily hair care routine, too. While you don't use much during one application, at less than 1 ounce, this product is on the more expensive side at $34 per bottle. SPF: 35 | Volume: 0.71 ounces | Skin Type: All | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | Product Benefits: Sun protection, antioxidant, nourishing Best Fragrance-Free Badger Sunscreen Cream Credit: Amazon $18 $16 at Amazon $18 at Target View on Walmart What we like: It contains only four simple ingredients. What to know: The sunscreen comes out of the tube a bit thick and can be hard to put on. Badger's Sport Mineral Sunscreen Cream contains only four ingredients: zinc oxide, sunflower oil, beeswax, and vitamin E. It's hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, making it suitable for all skin types. It is a bit thick and can be hard to get out of the tube and apply, but it rubs in clear to blend with most skin tones. This sunscreen is one of the first sunscreens to be Protect Land + Sea certified by Haereticus Environmental Laboratory and is both Mexico and Hawaii-approved biodegradable and sweat- and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. A bonus: This women-owned, family-run business uses recycled product packaging. SPF: 40 | Volume: 2.9 fluid ounces | Skin Type: All | Active Ingredients: Uncoated zinc oxide | Product Benefits: Hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic Choosing a Reef-Safe Sunscreen Despite how much it's used, the terms "reef-safe" and "reef-friendly" aren't regulated. There's also no clear definition being used among manufacturers. Instead, it's up to the consumer—you—to find out if the sunscreen you're purchasing is actually "reef-friendly." First, start with the ingredient list. Reef-friendly sunscreens are mineral-based. Look for at least one of these ingredients: titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. "Rather than absorb into the skin like chemical sunscreens, these minerals sit on top and act as a shield, reflecting the sun's rays away from the skin," says New York City-based cosmetic dermatologist Michele Green, M.D. Mineral sunscreens inherently offer broad-spectrum UVA and UVB coverage. Reef-friendly sunscreens don't contain chemical ingredients. So anything listed beyond titanium dioxide or zinc oxide and is hard to pronounce could indicate a chemical ingredient. The biggest offenders, according to SaveTheReef (an organization dedicated to saving the world's oceans and marine life), are oxybenzone (also called benzophenone-3 and BP-3), octinoxate, mineral oil (petrolatum), 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC), octocrylene, para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), parabens and triclosan. If you want to be extra diligent, browse sunscreen brand websites to see if they provide intel on how they specifically go about defining "reef-friendly." The Bottom Line: The Best Reef-Safe Sunscreens If you're looking for a reef-safe sunscreen that's also fairly safe for your skin and effective at blocking the rays, Thinksport Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+ (view at Amazon) checks all of those boxes. That's why we chose it as our best overall. Another good option that we and our experts liked is Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion (view at Amazon). This reef-safe sunscreen is our runner-up as it is lightweight, non-greasy feeling when applied, hypoallergenic and gluten-free. Common Questions Are all mineral sunscreens reef-safe? Not always! Mineral sunscreens fall under two categories: those with nanoparticles and those without, with non-nano sunscreens being the reef-friendly choice. Non-nano sunscreens, with a particle size greater than 100 nanometers, are considered reef-friendly. "The large particle size of the minerals can't be ingested by the corals," says Green. When nano-size (smaller) particles are present in mineral sunscreens, they're much easier to rub into the skin and don't leave an opaque white film behind—but the smaller the particles, the easier they can be ingested by corals and disrupt the ecosystem. Do reef-safe sunscreens work? In a word: Yes! Mineral sunscreens provide a physical barrier between you and the sun's rays, reducing your risk of sunburn, premature aging and skin cancer. Since mineral sunscreens sit on top of your skin, they can also be a gentler option for sensitive or acne-prone skin. However, it's important to note that the effectiveness of any sunscreen, including reef-safe sunscreens, depends on proper application and re-application. Sunscreen can only do so much; you'll want to follow basic good practices such as reapplying every two hours (or more frequently if you've been swimming or sweating heavily). You can also protect yourself by avoiding the sun when its rays are at their strongest, generally between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and by wearing a hat or clothing with UV protection. Where is non-reef-safe sunscreen banned? Non-reef-safe sunscreens are currently banned in Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Palau, Aruba, Bonaire, and parts of Florida (Key West) and Mexico. However, if you plan on snorkeling or scuba diving, it's always best to check your destination's regulations regarding reef-safe sunscreens before you travel. Why are coral reefs so important for our environment? According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an estimated 25% of all marine life depends on coral reefs for survival. For us humans, they're a source of food (especially among coastal communities that rely on fish for protein) and new medicines. Coral reefs also protect our coastlines from storms and erosion by shielding the shoreline from waves, per the California Academy of Sciences. Our Trusted Expertise Krissy Brady is a writer based out of Ontario, Canada, who focuses on health and wellness articles. Her writing has been in publications including Women's Health, Prevention, Cosmopolitan, WW, Self, Martha Stewart and others. Several sunscreens included in this list were evaluated by a panel of product testers, and interviews were conducted with Susan Massick, M.D., a dermatologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and a professor at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, and Michele Green, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist. An earlier version of this article was reviewed and edited by Maria Laura Haddad-Garcia, who has a B.A. in nutrition and is EatingWell's senior nutrition & news editor. An update of this article was edited and reviewed by Brierley Horton, M.S., RD, senior editor, who has 15 years of experience reporting, writing and editing nutrition and health content. Explore more: Healthy Lifestyle Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy. US Department of Commerce, N.O. and A.A. (2018) Skincare Chemicals and Coral Reefs. Protect Land + Sea Certification – Haereticus. Reef Safe Sunscreen Guide | Save the Reef. US EPA, OAR. Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation and Sun Exposure. 26 Nov. 2018. US EPA, OW. Basic Information about Coral Reefs. 30 Jan. 2017. US EPA, OW. Basic Information about Coral Reefs. 30 Jan. 2017.