Seven Reef Safe Sunscreens We Love

Sunscreen. It’s both a blessing and a curse. The application process is something we could do without, and the sticky feel and stinging eyes are less than ideal. But sunscreen is essential for surfers, or really anyone who spends any amount of time outdoors. Because sunburns and skin cancer are so not cool.

Traditionally, sunscreens were chemical-based, using active ingredients like avobenzone, octinoxate, and oxybenzone. Chemical sunscreens are absorbed by the skin and then in turn absorb UV rays, which they convert into heat and then release from the body, thus protecting your skin. However, chemical sunscreen can be dangerous for both humans and coral reefs. The chemicals contained in sunscreen create free radicals and can act as hormone disruptors. They also are harmful to aquatic ecosystems, often resulting in coral bleaching.

To combat the harmful effects of sunscreen while still offering sun protection, mineral, or reef-safe sunscreens have become more commonplace. Mineral sunscreens work by creating a physical barrier on your skin that reflects UV light. Through our experience, we’ve found that not all mineral sunscreens are created equally – some go on thick and pasty whereas others feel light and breathable. Here, we’ve rounded up seven of our favorite reef-safe sunscreens so you can stay protected from the sun while surfing without harming your local reef.

EiR NYC

This may seem like a strange pick for a surf magazine, but EiR NYC’s sunscreen is seriously good. EiR is a New York-based skincare brand that is focused on making clean beauty and wellness products for active people. In addition to traditional skin care products, the brand offers a Surf Mud sunscreen as well as a face stick. Inspired by the Mayan chocolate mask, the SPF 30 sunscreen utilizes seven key ingredients, delivering cocoa-scented sun protection. The Surf Mud is packaged in a reusable or recyclable plastic-free tin.

Blue Lizard

An Australian company, Blue Lizard has been in the business of making mineral-based sunscreen for over 20 years. They’ve got loads of options including SPF 30 and SPF 50, sports, kids, baby, sensitive, and more in sticks, sprays, and lotions. Unlike most mineral sunscreens, the Blue Lizard sheer sunscreen rubs in smooth and dries clear. Made from a blend of all-natural ingredients including shea butter, vitamin E oil, antioxidants, and cucumber and papaya extracts, Blue Lizard’s sunscreens feel good and provide 80 minutes of water and sweat-resistant protection.

Avasol

Avasol was born from a desire to create an effective, natural, and sustainable sun protection that felt good against the skin. In Samoan, “ava” means respect and “sol” translates to sun, which summarizes what Avasol is all about. Avasol offers both stick and cream sunscreens in four different shades, so you can match your sunscreen to your skin tone. Avasol’s sunscreens utilize a blend of ethically sourced all-natural potent botanical oils, minerals, and carefully chosen antioxidants, resulting in SPF 30+ sun protection.

Raw Elements

From the mind of an ocean lifeguard, Raw Elements is committed to education, environmental awareness, and sun safety. All of Raw Elements products are made in the USA and are Leaping Bunny certified, EWG #1 rated, and are Non-GMO Project verified. Products include face, body, tinted, un-tinted, sticks, and sprays with SPF 30 and SPF 50 options. All their sunscreens are packed with active antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and extracts that are simultaneously good for your skin while providing sun protection. Raw Elements is committed to sustainability and their sunscreens are packaged in Bio-Resin tubes made from sugarcane, plastic-free tins, and plastic-free compostable sticks.

Badger

A women-owned business, Badger intentionally creates their products in New Hampshire with the goal of protecting, healing, and soothing. All of their products are organic, and they prioritize working closely with suppliers and supporting regenerative and sustainable agriculture. Thanks to their commitment to using high-quality ingredients, Badger holds the USDA organic, NSF, and Fair Trade Certified certifications. Badger has a wide range of sunscreens on offer including face, daily, adventure, sport, baby, and kid’s options. Their products are packaged in 50% PCR tubes, are cruelty-free, and are made with solar power, so you can rest easy knowing your sunscreen is causing minimal harm to the planet (and your local surf spot).

Vertra

Designed by surfers for surfers in Honolulu, Hawaii, Vertra was created with long days in the sun in mind. Vertra’s founders partnered with world-class athletes and industry experts and spent three years creating and testing their sunscreen. All Vertra’s products are cruelty-free, made without parabens, and manufactured to the highest sunscreen and cosmetic industry standards, resulting in broad spectrum protection. Vertra currently offers a coconut vanilla body spray and face sticks in various shades.

ThinkSun

After discovering that traditional baby products contained BPA, an endocrine disruptor, ThinkSun founder Kevin Brodwick set out to create safe alternatives for families. Brodwick worked with top scientists and physicians and together they created sunscreens containing safe and clean ingredients. Today, ThinkSun’s collection of sun care products includes sprays, face sticks, and lotions in SPF 30 and SPF 50 options. All their sunscreens are organic, BPA free, biodegrade, reef safe, non-toxic, and dermatologist tested.

Related: A Guide To Purchasing Environmentally Friendly Surf Gear